New

Temporary Research Specialist - Mills River, NC

North Carolina State University

Dependent Upon Education and Experience

United States, North Carolina, Mills River

455 Research Drive (Show on map)

Dec 20, 2025

Position Information

Posting Number	PG195674TM
Position Number	11ASO3625
Position Type	Temporary
Essential Job Duties	The Research Specialist will be mainly responsible for performing field and lab research on apple and blackberry diseases. Duties include: Plant and maintain apple and blackberries in the field, and greenhouse Use sterile technique, store microbial long-term cultures, harvest host and pathogen tissue, isolate RNA/DNA from plant and pathogen tissues, perform PCR, quantitative PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis, in vitro fungicide sensitivity evaluations Assist P.I. in fungicide applications in the field Assisting P.I. with collecting data, analyzing data, writing extension publications, assisting in lab web page design, giving oral and poster presentations, and assisting in planning of field day/extension workshops Will also be responsible for a range of tasks related to lab management including training and supervision of other lab staff, lab safety compliance and inspections Purchase, stock and maintenance of equipment Please note that this position is located at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River, NC.
Is Time Limited	No
If Yes, Appointment Length
Wolfpack Perks and Benefits	As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone. What we offer: Health Insurance for Temporary Employees Enhance your career with LEAD courses Attend non-revenue generating sporting events for free. Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare discounts, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community. Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Department Information

Job City & State	Mills River, NC
Department	DEPP

System Information

Classification Title	Temporary-Technical/Paraprofessional
Working Title	Temporary Research Specialist - Mills River, NC

Requirements and Preferences

Work Schedule	40/hrs per week, 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday
Other Work/Responsibilities	n/a
Minimum Experience/Education	4 year degree; or an equivalent combination of training and/or related experience
Department Required Skills	Experience working with plants and microorganisms Experience with plant care and sterile techniques Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and SAS (or similar analysis platforms) Experience with data recording and entering Demonstrated ability to contribute to manuscript preparation Ability to search and read scientific literature Ability to mentor other staff and develop research protocols Experience giving oral and poster presentations and writing scientific publications
Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education	Master's degree in plant biology, plant pathology or related field Experience in horticultural crops Experience with farming equipment More than 2 years of experience in plant biology and microbial research including growing plants/microbes, maintaining plantings/cultures, sterile technique, and molecular biology experience NC Pesticide Applicators license or the ability to obtain one within the first 6 months of hire
Required License or Certification	Valid driver's license
Valid NC Driver's License required?	Yes
Commercial Driver's License Required?	No

Recruitment Details

Anticipated Hiring Range	Dependent Upon Education and Experience

Recruitment Dates

Job Open Date	12/18/2025

Applicant Information

Quick Link

https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/226044

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.