Forages Lab Technician

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:
In support of the USDA-funded project, Dr. Liliane Silva is seeking highly motivated candidates for a laboratory technician on a multi-disciplinary team that will conduct data collection and monitor soil carbon stocks and greenhouse gas fluxes in the beef cattle system in South Carolina. The position is based at the Edisto Research and Education Center in Blackville, SC. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, eager to learn, adopt and implement techniques as needed; plan, manage, lead, and communicate tasks/results across groups; collect, analyze and interpret data; meet the deadlines as required by the project; organized, self driven, able to follow through on assigned tasks and communicate properly with supervisor and other team members. Prior experience is desired but not required, and training will be provided to work on forage and soil laboratory analysis and with specialized forage and field equipment related to the work to be conducted. The expected start will be April, 2026, with potential for renewal for up to 3 years based on annual performance evaluation.

JOB DUTIES:
50% - Activities will include but are not limited to plot preparation, pasture planting, establishment and grazing, beef cattle handling, mowing, herbicide application, among others. Support and assist with soil and forage sample collection, processing, preparation, and laboratory analysis. Activities will include but are not limited to harvest forage samples, taking soil samples, taking additional forage, animal performance and soil related measurements, weighing and grinding samples and sample preparation for analysis, data entry, and collecting additional samples and data as required. Writes reports and summarizes data. Support and assist the work conducted by the supervisor, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at the research station and on-farm research sites.

20% - Support and assist graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in laboratory analyses and sample preparation. Provide training as to students and interns as needed to support use of laboratory facilities, equipment and carry over laboratory analysis. Plants, cultivate and harvest crops utilized as feed for livestock. Build, repair and provide maintenance for permanent or temporary electric fencing utilized on research areas for research projects. Acquires the proper training and adheres to the established IACUC guidelines and other training requirements for the use of livestock in research projects and conduction of research projects and management practices to guarantee adequate work development and data collection.

10% - Support for data collection and educational activities: supports and collects data as directed by project leader (s). Assist with the organization of workshops and educational activities. Provides proper communication with supervisor and others and works with supervisor, postdocs, graduate students and others who may be developing research under the forage-livestock systems program. Additional duties may be assigned.

10% - Facility and experimental areas maintenance: repairs, cleans and provide maintenance and organization to the field and laboratory facilities and storage of samples. Assist with experimental areas maintenance, fence building, among others. Communicates storage and product needs often and provides adequate oversight of shared laboratory spaces and maintain cleanness. Oversees scheduling of equipment use, lab space use and use of shared spaces by forage team members (students and postdocs). Maintains proper organization of scheduling of laboratory activities and oversight to ensure analyses are done in a timely manner for forage and soil datasets. Additional duties may be assigned.

10% - Equipment data collection, use, transportation and maintenance: Acquires proper training to utilize basic and specific forage research equipment, provides leadership to their utilization, adheres to maintenance schedules, provides leadership on proper use, maintenance, transportation, storage, and guarantees the proper functioning of all equipment under the forage-livestock program. Transports equipment to off-site research locations when necessary to conduct research projects. Acquires training and transport of the LICOR system to farms at defined intervals, assembly, basic troubleshooting, data collection, weekly checks and initial data processing. Additional duties may be assigned.

JOB CODE:
ED60

EMPLOYEE TYPE:
Time-Limited (TLP) Staff

Minimum Requirements:
A bachelor's degree in a related field and work experience directly related to the assigned research area; or a high school diploma and advanced journey-level work experience in a clinical or research setting.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
JOB KNOWLEDGE
Fundamental working knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures and ability to apply in varied situations.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Not responsible for supervising employees.

BUDGETARY RESPONSIBILITIES
No fiscal responsibility for the department's budget.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Perceive, observe, clarity of vision: %
Extends hands or arms in any direction: %
Move, transport, raise or lower 50 lbs or more: %
Recognize or inspect visually: %
Communicate, converse, give direction, express oneself: %
Use hands or feet to operate or handle machinery, equipment, etc.: %
Walk or move about: %
Stand for Prolonged Period: %

WORKING CONDITIONS:
None: %

WORK SCHEDULE:
Standard Hours:
37.5

COMPENSATION INFORMATION:
Expected Salary Range
60000 - 60000
Salary is dependent upon several factors including, but not limited to, a candidate's previous experience, knowledge, skills and performance in accordance with Clemson's compensation guidelines.

ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL LEVEL:
Normal Operations - Required to follow emergency facility closure and modified operations directives, and not normally expected to work on-site during emergency situations.

JOB LOCATION:
Blackville, SC

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
November 9, 2026

MILITARY AND VETERAN:
Military Equivalency
: Clemson University is proud to allow educational equivalency for military technical certifications and trainings that directly relate to the job duties.
Veteran Preference:
South Carolina provides employment preference to eligible veterans for qualifying full-time permanent positions. To be considered, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications, have been discharged under honorable conditions, and indicate their veteran status in the application by uploading a DD-214 for confidential review. A request for Veteran Preference can be made via the application process. Please contact hrjob@clemson.edu with any questions or issues.

CLOSING STATEMENT:
Clemson University is an EEO/AA employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to characteristics protected by applicable law including disability and protected veteran status.