Scientific Research Specialist CL1 - University of Maine System

Position is available to employees of the Associated C.O.L.T. Staff of the University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias from 10/16/2024 through 10/22/2024 and open to additional internal applicants thereafter.







The research program for tree fruit led by Dr. Renae Moran seeks applicants for a full-time, soft-money funded Scientific Research Specialist CL1, based at the University of Maine’s Highmoor Farm to study cold hardiness in apple trees. External funding is currently available for this position through August 31, 2028. As time allows, this position will also work in other research areas including peach variety evaluation and cold hardiness, vegetable production trials and Honeycrisp apple storage practices.



The Highmoor Farm is located at 52 US Route 202 in Monmouth, which is 16 miles west of Augusta, ME. Normal Highmoor Farm business hours are Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The employee shall establish regular office hours and in consultation with the supervisor may adjust the work schedule as appropriate. This position pays $18.22/hour, or applicable transfer rate in accordance with the ACSUM collective bargaining agreement.



Essential Duties & Responsibilities:





+ Conduct field and lab experiments to measure cold hardiness in apple and peach trees from fall through spring of each year, which involves collecting shoots from orchards, operating a programmable freezer, taking measurements of winter injury, and accurate data entry.



+ Assist with other field research by monitoring fruit ripening, harvesting for yield measurement, monitoring cold storage rooms, measuring fruit quality, and internal fruit defects.



+ Conduct peach breeding activities such as cross pollinations, seed collection and cleaning, seed germination and transplanting.



+ Assist with vegetable trials by planting, weeding, harvesting, weighing produce and data collection.



+ Perform cultural practices of apple and peach research orchards, such as pruning, fruit thinning, planting trees and harvesting fruit as part of research projects.



+ Coordinating and supervising student workers as necessary.



+ Teaching and training student workers regarding processes, safe operating procedures, and use of equipment.






+ The ability to work outdoors. Work will be based in Monmouth Maine, with some possible travel to nearby orchards and to the UMaine campus in Orono.



+ Coordinate and conduct safety training and updating safety documentation.






About the University:


The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu.


The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits (https://www.maine.edu/human-resources/benefits/) for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options. As a former NSF ADVANCE institution, the University of Maine is committed to diversity in our workforce and to dual-career couples.


UMaine is located in beautiful Central Maine. Many employees report that a primary reason for choosing to come to UMaine is quality of life. Numerous cultural activities, excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, high quality medical care, little traffic, and a reasonable cost of living make the greater Bangor area a wonderful place to live. Learn more about what the Bangor region has to offer here (https://www.visitbangormaine.com/about-the-region/the-region-at-a-glance/) .


Qualifications:

Required:





+ Bachelor's degree in field related to area of research (Horticulture, Forestry, Botany, Biology) or equivalent experience and one year of related work experience.



+ A valid Maine driver’s license.



+ Ability to work in the field, greenhouse and laboratory under sometimes difficult conditions due to warm or cold weather.



+ Ability to conduct detailed, but routine and repetitive research tasks, e.g. collecting shoots or other research specimens, measuring winter injury in shoots and flower buds, weighing produce, evaluating produce quality, etc.



+ Ability to learn research procedures and techniques and to conduct them correctly.



+ Ability to communicate effectively and work constructively as part of team.



+ The ability to work with minimal supervision.



+ Ability to use common applications including Word and Excel. The ability to accurately record and maintain datasets.





Preferred:





+ Experience with fruit and vegetable production.





Other Information:



To be considered for this position you will need to “Apply” and upload the documentation listed below:



1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position

2.) a resume/curriculum vitae



Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide a list of names and contact information for references.



Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.


For full consideration, materials must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. EST on November 12, 2024.



For questions about the search, please contact search committee chair Renae Moran at rmoran@maine.edu or 207-713-7083.


The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.






In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 Boudreau Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).









Clery Act

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. You may view the University’s Annual Security Report (https://umaine.edu/police/clery-annual-safety-report/) . If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or you need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact: UMaine Police Department, 81 Rangeley Rd., The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5794, or call 207.581.4053.