Research Technician

Screen reader users may encounter difficulty with this site. For assistance with applying, please contact hr-accessibleapplication@osu.edu. If you have questions while submitting an application, please review these frequently asked questions.

If you are currently employed or enrolled as a student at The Ohio State University, please log in to Workday to use the internal application process.

Welcome to The Ohio State University's career site.  We invite you to apply to positions of interest. In order to ensure your application is complete, you must complete the following:

• Ensure you have all necessary documents available when starting the application process. You can review the additional job description section on postings for documents that may be required.

• Prior to submitting your application, please review and update (if necessary) the information in your candidate profile as it will transfer to your application. 

This is a term, grant-funded position with continuation contingent upon availability of funds.

The Research Technician 3 provides advanced research support in the Sustainable Agroecosystems (SAS) Lab, with primary responsibility for day-to-day laboratory operations supporting forage, grazing-systems, and environmental-impact research. Core work is independent, detail-oriented lab management: sample organization and labeling, analytical procedures, equipment operation and maintenance, data quality control, and inventory.

The technician also helps lead the Lab’s earnings-account forage-quality and greenhouse-gas services, including reports, invoices, and collaborator communication. The role includes fieldwork, livestock handling as required, sample collection in pastures and plots, and travel to research stations (~100-mile round trips) during peak seasons.

The Lab values ownership, teamwork, and shared problem-solving.

• Independently organize, label, track, and process laboratory samples (forage, soil, greenhouse-gas, and related matrices)
• Perform, quality-check, and help refine analyses (including NIRS, gas chromatography, and related protocols); maintain equipment; train others on methods.
• Manage inventory, supplies, sample storage, and data organization; prepare reports and invoices for commercial analyses; communicate with service users.
• Train and oversee student research assistants on lab and field protocols and safety.
• Support and, as assigned, lead field data collection, including livestock handling, plot/pasture sampling, coordination with research station staff, and field equipment use under demanding conditions.
• Assist with data formatting, manuscripts, extension materials, and other project needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• 2–3 years of relevant research experience (graduate research counts), with lab experience in sample processing, labeling, analytical procedures, and/or research instrumentation.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow, document, and improve multi-step protocols.

• Experience working independently and coordinating with students, station staff, or collaborators

• Ability and willingness to do physically demanding fieldwork, including livestock handling as needed, variable weather, and long field days.

• Valid Ohio driver’s license (or ability to obtain one); availability for ~100-mile round trips during peak field periods (May–November).

• Collaborative work style: ownership, clear communication, and support for teammates.

• Master’s degree in a related field.

• Experience with NIRS, GC, GHG measurements, soil/plant tissue analysis, or similar methods (Lab-specific training provided).

• Experience supervising or mentoring students; teaching or Extension experience a plus.

• Familiarity with Excel, R, or similar tools, and with agricultural outreach or stakeholder communication.

• Background in forage/grazing systems, integrated crop-livestock systems, specialty/emerging crops, or environmental assessments in agriculture.

• Experience balancing lab precision work with multi-site field duties

This job profile is a Research Technician 3 (T3 level) on the career roadmap.

The offer for this position will fall within the positions pay range based on internal equity, unit’s available budget, and the candidate’s qualifications

Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.