Posting Details

Posting Details

Requisition Number S1822 Position Number 013101 Position Classification Title Research Specialist Functional Title Research Specialist Position Type Staff University Information

UNC Greensboro, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a higher-research activity university as classified by the Carnegie Foundation. Founded in 1891 and one of the original three UNC system institutions, UNCG is one of the most diverse universities in the state with nearly 20,000 students and over 2,700 faculty and staff members representing more than 90 nationalities. With 17 Division I athletic teams, 85 undergraduate degrees in over 100 areas of study, as well as 74 master’s and 32 doctoral programs, UNCG is consistently recognized nationally among the top universities for academic excellence and value, with noted strengths in health and wellness, visual and performing arts, nursing, education, and more. For additional information, please visit uncg.edu and follow UNCG on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit

The department of Biology provides undergraduates and graduate education in biology, conducts biological research using extramural grants and internal funding mechanisms, and provides expertise to the community in the areas of biotechnology, human biology, and environmental biology. Advanced research training is provided to undergraduate and graduate students in biology, based on the research activities of 20 tenure-track faculty, many of whom work with local, regional, national, and international collaborations in academe and in the industry. Many aspects of biology education and research require the use of living organisms, and the appropriate care and use of such materials often requires that personnel be available to provide care after hours and during holidays. Many aspects of Biology education and research require the use of sophisticated instruments and chemicals.

Position Summary

The Research Specialist primary purpose in this position is to support laboratory-based coursework with emphasis on botany and ecology, and to operate/maintain the department’s greenhouse facilities and research plots.

Minimum Qualifications

BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN A DISCIPLINE RELATED TO THE AREA OF ASSIGNMENT; OR EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE. ALL DEGREES MUST BE RECEIVED FROM APPROPRIATELY ACCREDITED INSTITUTIONS.

Additional Required Certifications, Licensures, and Certificates

State of North Carolina indoor and outdoor pesticide application license required (training to be arranged for applicants who are not NC-certified)

Preferred Qualifications

Minimum Experience Preferred: One to Two Years (1 – 2) in greenhouse/nursery/botanical garden environment
Minimum Education Preferred: Bachelor’s in Biology or related field

Alternate Option

If no applicants apply who meet the required competency level and training & experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants. Salary would be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants are required to upload a list of at least three (3) professional references that includes:

1. Name,
2. Company Name,
3. Type of reference (Professional, Supervisor, Colleague, Academic, or Personal). One (1) of those references will need to be a current or previous supervisor.
4. Email Address
5. Contact Phone Number

Recruitment Range $43,337 to $46,423 Org #-Department Biology - 12204 Work Hours of Position Mon-Fri (8:00am - 5:00pm), With Occasional Weekend Responsibilities Number of Months per Year 12 Posting Requirements Job Family Natural Resources & Scientific Career Banded Title Research Specialist Open Date 06/11/2019 Close Date 06/23/2019 FTE 1.000 FLSA Non-Exempt If other, please indicate If time-limited, please specify end date for appointment. Salary Grade Equivalency 65 Key Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Key Responsibility

Coordination/Preparation of resources for lab-based coursework in ecology, evolution, and general biology.

Essential Tasks

Purchase, organize, and prepare equipment/ laboratory materials for lab-based coursework.
Work will include laboratory organization, setup, and breakdown.

Key Responsibilities

Key Responsibility

Maintenance of departmental teaching greenhouse

Essential Tasks

Acquiring and maintaining specimens used for laboratory-based coursework in botany, plant physiology, and biotechnology.
Monitoring and maintenance of greenhouse environment (verifying correct temperature and humidity).
Identifying and controlling pests that may affect plant health using integrated pest management strategies.

Key Responsibilities

Key Responsibility

Maintenance of departmental research greenhouse (located off-campus)

Essential Tasks

Monitoring and maintaining greenhouse facilities (temperature and humidity).
Organizing general layout of facilities, including research plots in surrounding areas.
Identifying and controlling factors that may impair plant health using integrated pest management strategies.

Key Responsibilities

Key Responsibility

Preparation and organization specialized lab coursework in botany

Essential Tasks

Acquisition of specimens/resources for coursework in plant diversity/systematics, plant physiology/biotechnology/aquatic growth.
Organization and layout of materials for laboratory-based coursework
Arranging breakdown/cleanup of lab following each exercise.

Competency

Competency

Competency Laboratory Management Competency Description

Maintains laboratory resources including supplies, equipment and facilities.

Competency Level Contributing Competency

Competency Conducting experimental procedures Competency Description

Conducts tests, experiments, and/or procedures following standard protocol; identifies and documents variations that may affect the validity of the experiment.

Competency Level Contributing Competency

Competency Communication Competency Description

Communicates detailed outcomes and results of research. Assists in preparation of research findings; prepares reports.

Competency Level Contributing Competency

Competency Instruction Competency Description

Trains others in laboratory techniques and the use of laboratory equipment. Documents how to conduct procedures; reviews and maintains correct standard operations, procedures and protocols.

Competency Level Contributing Competency

Competency Knowledge Competency Description

Understands research and regulatory standards to maintain a laboratory environment. Understands scientific principles to conduct research process; ability to operate laboratory instruments, software, and/or equipment.

Competency Level Contributing ADA Checklist

ADA Checklist

"R" for Rare (0-30%), "O" for Occasional (30-60%), "F" for Frequent (60-90%), "C" for Constant (90-100%)

Physical Effort Hand Movement-Repetitive Motions - C, Hand Movement-Grasping - C, Holding - F, Finger Dexterity - F, Vision-Skilled Trades - C, Reading - F, Writing - F, Eye-hand coordination - F, Vision-Preparing/Analyzing figures - O, Hearing - C, Talking - F, Standing - F, Sitting - F, Walking - F, Lifting-0-30 lbs. - F, Lifting-30-60 lbs. - F, Lifting-60-90 lbs. - O, Pushing/Pulling - F, Climbing-Stairs - F, Climbing-Ladders - O, Bending - F, Squatting - O Work Environment Driving - Car/Truck - O, Driving - Standar/Automatic - O, Inside - F, Outside - F Applicant Documents Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter
3. List of References

Optional Documents

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Which of the following options best describes your higher education history?
   • No Response
   • Bachelor's Degree or higher in a directly related field
   • Bachelor's Degree or higher in an unrelated field
   • Associate's Degree in a directly related field
   • Associate's Degree in an unrelated field
   • 3 years
   • 2 years
   • 1 year
   • less than 1 year
   • High School Diploma or GED
2. * How many years of experience in a directly related field do you have?
   • No Response
   • 6 or more years
   • 5 years
   • 4 years
   • 3 years
   • 2 years
   • 1 year
   • 4 months
   • less than 4 months
3. * Please indicate how you learned of the vacant position for which you are applying:
   • SpartanTalent Website
   • Piedmont Triad Area Newspaper
   • The Chronicle of Higher Education
   • Inside Higher Ed
   • Other professional journal / website
   • NCWorks.gov
   • UNC School System Job Board
   • Personal Networking
   • Facebook
   • Twitter
   • Indeed.com
   • NorthCarolinaDiversity.com
   • Other
4. If you selected "Other", please provide the name of the resource here.

   (Open Ended Question)