Scientific Assistant – Small Fruit Breeding

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

May 13, 2026

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

1161-YN_ADMINPRO - Scientific Assistant

Business Title:

Scientific Assistant – Small Fruit Breeding

Employee Type:

Admin. Professional

Position Details:

The Opportunity:

The Washington State University (WSU) Small Fruit Plant Breeding program develops strawberry and raspberry cultivars adapted to the Pacific Northwest and with excellent fruit quality for processed and fresh applications. Additionally, the program studies cultivars, selections, and germplasm for traits of interest. This position manages specialized research operations in laboratory, greenhouse, and field activities related to propagation and botanical evaluation of research plants and fruit. The Small Fruit Breeding program conducts horticultural research at the facilities at the Puyallup Research and Extension Center, the Northwestern Research and Extension Center in Mount Vernon, and on cooperating farms in western Washington and Oregon. Our program collaborates with farms and research professionals in the region as well as nationally and internationally to develop knowledge and plant resources for excellent small fruit production.

As the Scientific Assistant at WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center (PREC) within the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, you will manage laboratory and greenhouse research operations for the Small Fruit Plant Breeding program. You will apply your skills in experimental design, plant sciences, laboratory procedures, greenhouse culture, and planning to ensure rigorous and effective laboratory and greenhouse research activities. Additionally, you will support the plant breeding team personnel in reporting and field work, as well as the larger research and extension community of PREC. This position involves managing complex assignments and projects that require practical knowledge of small fruit horticulture and university policies and procedures.

As part of the Small Fruit Plant Breeding program, you will be responsible for designing crop research trials, compiling evaluation data, propagating research plants through tissue culture and greenhouse facilities, and supervising temporary employees on research projects. You will consult with the Program Lead and many collaborators on a wide range of research topics and procedural needs to accomplish project objectives.

Percentage Breakdown of Job Functions:

• 30% Research Design and Evaluations

• 30% Laboratory and Greenhouse Operations

• 25% Data Management and Reporting

• 10% Supervising and Training

• 5% Other Duties

Additional Information:

This is a full time (100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime eligible.

Monthly Salary: $4,050.92 - $4,940.13 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline and three (3) years of progressively responsible related professional research experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis. A Master’s degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline may be substituted for up to one year of the required work experience.

• Demonstrated experience with perennial berry crop production systems.

• Demonstrated skill with plant tissue culture.

• Experience with greenhouse production and research.

• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and oral/written communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, co-workers and constituents.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in plant research.

• Advanced degree in plant science or closely related field of study.

• Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Pesticide Applicator’s License.

• Working knowledge of statistical, query based, or data management software (e.g. SAS, R).

• Skill in effectively organizing and prioritizing multiple assignments.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule and to travel within Washington and Oregon as needed.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

Area/College: College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)
Department Name: Horticulture

WSU Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center

Small Fruit Breeding
Location: Puyallup, WA

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1) Resume
2) Cover Letter

External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.
 

Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/