Research Associate (Beardstown, IL)

Duties & Functions:

• Foster partnership with both farm and plant personnel to ensure research trials are completed timely and within defined constraints
• Balance the needs of the research program, farms, and processing plants, allowing priorities to shift as needed
• Conduct research in various hog production environments and at various stages of life cycle; provide updates on operational and research learnings and performance to Research and Development leadership
• Collaborate with Research and Development leadership to design study protocols; adhere to established processes and protocols while executing research tasks
• Collect live animal data at hog barns and carcass data at hog processing plants using multiple data gathering methods in support of the Company's strategic objectives
• Drive biological pig performance by executing on all standard operating procedures, ensuring the animal achieves maximum biological potential for growth
• Serve as principal investigator on research projects by acting as the main point of contact, writing study protocols, making critical decisions throughout the study, and assisting with the final write up of results and impact study
• Lead the execution of commercial genetic testing with the Company's genetic partners
• Capture and validate data and results of projects at Processing Plants
• Responsible for data integrity through validation of equipment and execution of study protocols
• Conduct work in a manner that safeguards colleagues and animals regardless of work location
• Provide on farm support in animal care and maintenance tasks as needed

Position Qualifications:

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience is required

Major(s): Animal Science, Agricultural Business, or a related field

Minimum Years of Experience: 4 years of experience; education accepted in lieu of experience

Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Animal biology with an emphasis on swine production management practices
• Microsoft Office
• Scientific research methods and standards
• Basic statistics
• Data collection methodology

Skilled in:

• Verbal and written communication
• Budget and time management
• Swine/animal husbandry
• Critical thinking and informed decision making

Ability to:

• Work with internal and external partners in a professional, courteous manner
• Work both independently and in a team environment to accomplish goals
• Be creative and champion change while adhering to research standards
• Maintain confidentiality
• Accept coaching from peers and managers
• Execute research protocols in accordance with The Maschhoffs Research and Development quality standards

Compensation and Benefits:

Targeted pay range of $59,000-70,000 USD per year, depending on experience and qualifications.

The Maschhoffs offers full-time regular employees a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Your choice between a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan and a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) plan.
• Two options for dental coverage, both of which cover three main types of expenses and cover preventative care at 100%.
• Group rate vision benefits.
• Complimentary Basic Life Insurance as well as voluntary employee, spouse, and child life insurance policies.
• Short Term and Long Term Disability coverage, at no cost to the employee.
• A traditional pre-tax 401(k) plan as well as a Roth 40(k) plan. The Company matches the first 4% of employee contributions, which is immediately vested.
• A generous paid time off program, including a life event day and volunteer day each year for full time employees.
• Participation in a Company Short Term Incentive Plan (STI) where payments are dependent upon several company factors/metrics.

Physical Demands:

Climbing: Less than 20%

Crawling/Stooping: Less than 20%

Hearing: 41% - 70%

Heavy Lifting: Less than 20% Up to 60 Lbs

Manual Dexterity: Less than 20%

Pushing/Pulling: Less than 20%

Speaking: 41% - 70%

Standing: 20% - 40%

Visual: Over 70%

Walking: Less than 20%