Research Technician, Greenhouse Vegetable Breeding

Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland) is recruiting for a Research Technician, Greenhouse Vegetable Breeding to work in an industry-driven research environment. Vineland is a uniquely Canadian results-oriented organization dedicated to horticulture science and innovation. We deliver innovative products, solutions and services through an integrated and collaborative cross-country network to advance Canada’s research and commercialization agenda. We are an independent, not-for-profit organization, funded in part by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

Our people are the most important asset in achieving our goals and are known in the world for excellence in science and entrepreneurship. Our staff enjoys an exciting and challenging work environment noted for collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Vineland welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

The term of appointment for this contract position is until March 31, 2022.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Research Technician will be mainly responsible for collecting and managing a large dataset on tomato hybrids grown in greenhouse as well as plant maintenance.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Monitor plants and conditions in the greenhouse
  • Prune vegetables, clip and sucker tomato plants, lower plants from twine at heights
  • Operate lifts on a pipe rail system in the hydroponics greenhouse
  • Harvest vegetables in a meticulous manner keeping varieties separate and maintain data in breeding software Phenome and/or on spreadsheets
  • Possibly include fertilizer preparation, germinate seedlings, tissue sampling, pruning, staking, transplanting and dispose of plants; experiments will be done both in soil and hydroponically
  • Some supervision of an assistant may be required from time to time on related projects
  • Create, manage and perform a crossing block on vegetable crops
  • Assist with stocking and organization of greenhouse and field consumables and equipment on an as-needed basis
  • Field work to assist the vegetable team as needed; this involves hands-on work planting and harvesting the material, as well as maintaining it through the growing season and phenotyping plants with photographs and physical measurements
  • Monitor storage conditions of product in coolers
  • Keep up-to-date on methods for phenotyping vegetables and track data in an organized manner
  • Clean seed and accession seeds properly, according to vegetable breeding guidelines
  • Work cooperatively and safely with the vegetable breeding team to carry out daily research tasks and follow sanitation guidelines
  • Applicant needs to be in excellent physical condition as work requires hands-on labour in many environmental conditions and could require repetitive lifting of 20 kg for several days in a row
  • Work with the Senior Technician to review projects, experimental design and results

Qualifications

  • Degree or diploma in horticulture, greenhouse, agriculture with an emphasis on plants or plant breeding
  • Applicant should have a minimum of one year of greenhouse hydroponics experience and be familiar with many aspects of plant management
  • Greenhouse experience – able to grow, transplant, prune and harvest vegetables
  • Field experience – experience performing field trials is an asset
  • Data-taking – experience taking notes on phenotypes of plants and managing large datasets in an organized manner is important
  • Work ethics – ability to complete daily/weekly goals on time with little supervision. Experience working quickly in challenging environments is critical.

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

  • Valid Ontario driver’s licence
  • First Aid/CPR
  • WHMIS
  • Experience working in vegetable hydroponics greenhouses is a definite asset
  • Applicant should be able to identify common greenhouse pests (i.e. aphids, thrips, mites) and plant nutrient deficiencies
  • Experience working with lifts and jacks or at heights is an asset
  • Previous track record of meticulous note-taking on large datasets required
  • Candidate should be well organized, good at communicating verbally and electronically and able to maintain meticulous Excel spreadsheets 
  • Well-developed computer and technology skills would be an asset
  • Supervisory experience – prefer applicants with a minimum of one year experience in a supervisory capacity in prior industrial/greenhouse setting
Contract Position
Closing Date: March 8, 2021
Location: 4890 Victoria Avenue North, Vineland Station, Ontario, Canada, L0R 2E0

Apply Today

Please fill out the online application for this position. You will receive confirmation that your application has been received. Only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

Our people are the most important asset in achieving our goals and are known in the world for excellence in science and entrepreneurship.

Our staff enjoys outstanding benefits and an exciting and challenging work environment noted for collaboration and knowledge sharing all set against a backdrop of natural beauty.

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