Plant Science

Faculty of Agricultural & Food Sciences

Position number: 29044

Date posted: February 4, 2026

Advertised until: February 18, 2026

Job details

Longterm Experiment Research Technician - Tech 4 (AESES)

New Project Full-Time (Grant Funded)

Full-time:

Yes

Permanent:

No

Work schedule:

35 Hours/week (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm)

Salary:

$26.20 to $37.62 per hour ($47,684.00 to $68,468.40 per annum)

Appointment Dates

March 2, 2026 to August 2, 2027

Trial/Probation period:

840 hours worked

For more information please contact: Dr. Michelle Carkner - michelle.carkner@umanitoba.ca

Qualifications

MINIMUM FORMAL EDUCATION/TRAINING:

• Masters degree in a related study area (soil science, animal science, plant science) or a Bachelors degree or completion of Community College course in a related discipline with three years directly-related experience is required.

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in operation of plot and field scale machinery is preferred.
• Experience conducting agronomic research is preferred.- Experience operating small plot and farm scale equipment (truck and trailer, tractor, seeder, sprayer, swather, combine, forage harvester, mower, tillage equipment) is preferred.
• Experience applying pesticides under field research conditions is preferred.
• Experience using and maintaining field and lab research equipment (hand held and hydraulic soil samplers, weather stations and data loggers, neutron probe, GPS, soil and plant grinders, grain cleaning equipment) is preferred.
• Experience collecting and organizing agronomic field data and samples, maintaining trial history records, and basic data summary statistics is preferred.
• Experience with long-term agronomic studies an asset.
• Experience in communicating agronomic results to the Canadian agronomy community is an asset.
• Experience conducting on-farm or interdisciplinary research as well as greenhouse or growth chamber experiments would be an asset.
• Experimental record keeping, data compilation, summary statistical analysis.
• Experience with GIS software would be an asset.
• An acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Proficient in MS Office and other software required.
• Strong practical skills in field research operations, including crop establishment, soil and plant sampling, and equipment operation is required
• Possess skill to effectively and diplomatically coordinate and schedule field activities and adapt plans to changing weather and seasonal conditions is required.
• Skills in organizing, labelling, storing, and retrieving soil, plant, and seed samples for long-term studies is required.
• Good organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple is required.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills is required.
• Ability to follow and enforce research protocols and safety standards is required
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a field-based research environment is required.
• Ability to plan, organize, and carry out field operations independently for a long-term research study is required.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather and field conditions is required.
• Ability to operate, monitor, and troubleshoot field and sampling equipment safely is required.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and attention to detail is required.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and adjust quickly to changing conditions is required.
• Ability to supervise, train, and direct staff and students effectively is required.
• Physically capable of performing the duties as assigned, which may include mobility (walking, kneeling, bending), moderate to heavy lifting (50 lb seed or fertilizer bags), and working outside in hot/wet/cold conditions during the field season.
• Satisfactory work record, including satisfactory attendance and punctuality, is required.

OTHER JOB RELATED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated kindness, patience, and professionalism when working with students, staff, and collaborators.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse personalities, backgrounds, and working styles
• A personable and approachable manner that supports open communication and teamwork.
• Proven integrity and accountability in handling research activities, data, and shared resources.
• A positive attitude and willingness to contribute to a respectful, supportive work environment.
• Flexibility in thinking and approach, with openness to adapting to changing conditions and priorities.
• Commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive lab culture through constructive interactions and mutual respect.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinates and carries out all field research activities for the Glenlea Long-term Rotation Study.
• Plans and conducts crop establishment (ordering seed, pre-seeding herbicide, cultivation, seeding, weed control), fertilizer and herbicide application, soil and plant sampling, biomass measurements, harvest operations, and post-harvest sample management.
• Operates and maintains plot-scale and field-scale equipment and adjusts schedules based on weather and seasonal conditions.
• Manages all soil, plant, and seed samples and datasets generated by the Glenlea Long-term Rotation Study.
• Organizes, labels, and stores samples; maintains databases and records; links data across years; and ensures documentation and metadata are complete and up to date.
• Provides data for analysis and supports reporting and publication with graduates students, post-docs, and faculty. Research support also refers to providing support for researchers to become orientated to the Glenlea Rotation.
• Compiles datasets, prepares tables and figures, and assists with research reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications. Scheduling orientation meetings with researchers and graduate students to learn about where plots are and what is done in the plots.
• Supervises and trains technicians, summer students, and assists graduate students working on the Glenlea Long-term Rotation Study.
• Provides hands-on training, assigns and monitors tasks, ensures adherence to protocols and safety standards, and supports student learning in field and data activities.
• Supports outreach and knowledge-sharing activities related to the Glenlea Long-term Rotation Study.
• Assists with field tours, prepares summary materials, supports website content, and contributes to presentations or media related to the study.
• Other duties as assigned.

Additional information

The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities).

If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact UM.Accommodation@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.

Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provisions of "The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act" (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae will be provided to participating members of the search process.