Research Technician – Sweet Corn Illinois Foundation Seeds Inc. (IFSI) is an independent company delivering the leading research, product development, licensing and production for the seed industry's vegetable and field crops. Our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Dedication, Collaboration, and Drive are the foundation of our success. We seek a Research Technician who embodies and upholds these values in their daily work. At IFSI our brand purpose is "Growing Together." We believe in fostering growth not only in our research programs but also in our relationships, knowledge, and a sustainable future. This purpose drives our commitment to our customers, partners, team members, and the environment, creating collaborative efforts that benefit everyone involved. IFSI is seeking a highly motivated research professional that will assist the sweet corn research program in the breeding, evaluation, and development of superior germplasm for use in vegetable seed markets worldwide. Essential Duties & Responsibilities:Assist in activities related to variety testing, including, coordinating testing sites, seed preparation, inventory management, planting, plot maintenance, and data collectionOrganize the planning of breeding nurseries and trialsCoordinate field management of nurseries and trials with 3rd party cooperatorsAssist in leadership of pollination, tissue sampling, data collection and disease inoculation in breeding nurseriesLead nursery harvest, drying, shelling, and treating of resulting seedCollect, summarize, and disseminate data for relevant traits in breeding nurseries and hybrid trialsLead part-time and seasonal labor daily to accomplish goals of the research programAssist in the execution of research project protocols, generate high quality data, and assist in interpretation and communication of resultsAssist in maintenance and repair of research equipment and research facilitiesCoordinate shipment of seed samples for internal and external destinationsEnsure all tasks are completed in a safe, accurate and efficient manner and lead process improvement in these areasGain and apply industry and small plot research experience Qualifications/Knowledge Needed:B.S. or A.S. Degree with equivalent experience in Horticulture, Crop Science, Agronomy, or related fieldAbility to operate and assist in the maintenance of basic farm equipmentAbility to obtain and maintain pesticide applicators licenseExcellent computer skills for data acquisition and reportingDemonstrates high attention to detail and accuracy in all activitiesEffective analysis and interpretation of dataExcellent written and verbal communicationDemonstrates strong ability to work independently along with good team leadership and management skillsAbility to travel to contra-season nursery locations as well as various hybrid trial testing locationsCapable of working in greenhouse conditions or fields during periods of high heat, humidity, and rainAbility to lift 75 lbs Benefits:Salary commensurate with experienceFull benefit package: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, STD, 401k Reporting:This position is directly responsible to the Research Station ManagerIFSI is an equal opportunity employer
