Chickpea Research Associate

The Chickpea Research & Extension Program within the Public Service& Agriculture at South Carolina State University is looking for research associate for a year (March 2025 to March 2026). The position will be extended for subsequent years with funding from future projects. The research associate will be part of a multi-disciplinary research group working the Project Director(PD), Dr. Nana Kusi (SC State 1890 Extension Agronomist), student intern (s), farm management team, and SC State 1890 extension agents as and when required. Project will be around sustainable agriculture with chickpea, cover crops, reduced or no till practices, as well as other
biogeochemical soil research projects in our research group. Prior experience in an agricultural field is necessary, but not required. Field work will take place at the SC State Research and Demonstration Farm at Olar, SC. The farm is a 200-acre facility located at 1678 Alligator Rd, Olar, SC 29843 in Bamberg County. The SC State farm is equipped with modern facilities such as GPS operated tractor, center pivot, boom sprayer, equipment shed, etc. Job description/Duties
Applicants should be eager to work and be comfortable with both physical work in the field and indoor/laboratory conditions.

Plant population count, height measurement, soil coring, biomass sampling, greenhouse gas sampling, and/or measuring crop growth and photosynthesis.

Processing samples in the lab such as soil extractions, chemical analysis, plant grinding, and root washing as we develop the program.
Assisting the PI and farm team with planting, harvesting, field maintenance, pesticide application, seed inventory and other management practices.

Plant maintenance in the field may involve some weekend/holiday responsibilities like pesticide or irrigation application supervision.

Data analysis entry of data into spreadsheets, data sorting, data processing all computational
Data reporting using spreadsheet, document, or presentation formats.

Helping organize workshops, field days, interest group (USDA, NRCS, grade school students, etc.,) visits to the farm
Minimum education required: Associate diploma
Standing, lifting, bending.
Lift up to 30 lbs.
Work outdoors in varying weather for extended periods of time.
The applicant should also have a valid drivers license or be prepared to secure one and
have a clean driving record to enable use of university vehicle