Seasonal Research Assistants

Positions Summary

We seek individuals with full-time availability to serve as Research Assistants. This role involves participating in seasonal research activities across all TLI programs, including planting, harvesting, weeding, threshing, plant tissue collection, data entry, lab maintenance, and greenhouse work. Assistants work primarily eight hour days, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with an hour lunch break, scheduled weekly by research programs as needed. Some individuals may be assigned to a certain lab or task as a program specific research assistant. The position provides diverse hands-on experience while requiring flexibility to perform manual, repetitive tasks both indoors and outdoors for extended periods.

Primary Responsibilities + Expectations

• Help researchers conduct field and lab work which may sometimes involve repetitive tasks or sitting/standing for long periods of time as well as working in extreme heat.
• Follow field and lab safety procedures and voice any safety concerns when warranted.
• Participate in educational events such as research seminars, group training, field trips, and in-person and virtual meetings.
• Participate in fieldwork with other staff, post-bacs, and trainees to gain experience working with multiple perennial grain crops.
• Ask questions, share interests, and engage with other TLI employees.

Who You Are

• At the start of the position, you must be at least 16 years of age.
• Interest in agriculture, ecology, plants, and soils.
• Intellectual curiosity and commitment to lifelong learning.
• Good communication skills, both written and oral.
• Basic math skills and numerical literacy.
• Computer literacy: able to use word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Able to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where some guidance and standardization exist.
• Able to follow instructions, including written safety warnings.
• Legible handwriting and accurate labeling are required skills.
• Ability and willingness to provide and/or diligently use provided personal health and protective equipment or supplies, including drinking water, sunscreen, shade hat, insect repellent, and shoes and clothing appropriate for field work.
• Demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness; look for ways to improve and promote quality.
• Ability to develop, maintain, and honor relationships with diverse groups of people and partners.
• Willing to adjust schedule to meet the demands of the organization.

Qualifications that could help you succeed

• Experience with soil, plants, chemistry, or an agriculture-related field, and lab work.
• Experience as part of a research lab or conducting an independent project.
• Familiarity with spreadsheets, data entry, and repetitive data collection tasks.

Environmental + Working Conditions

• This work also involves many repetitive physical tasks both in and outdoors, often in adverse weather conditions.
• Kansas weather is highly variable and can be uncomfortable for months at a time, especially with high humidity and temperatures coupled with limited access to shade or air conditioning.
• You must be prepared to take these measures and have the endurance to work in a challenging physical environment.
• Prolonged periods of working outdoors in adverse conditions, including temperatures in excess of 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Work in exposed field and laboratory research settings.
• Work in a general office environment.
• Demonstrate sustained physical fitness and the ability to lift 60 pounds safely and without assistance.

Compensation + Benefits

• The compensation range is $14-18 per hour, dependent on experience, with limited benefits, including the following:
• Housing: When available, shared staff housing is provided at no cost for the temporary duration of employment.
• Paid sick time hours.
• Monthly cell phone stipend.
• Paid holidays.

To Apply

Interested applicants should submit a resume along with a letter of interest that addresses the following questions: Why are you interested in this position? What are some things you would like to gain from this position? What experience might help you be successful in this role?

Please include your dates/times of availability in relation to the Summer, Harvest, or Winter seasons.