Position Title: Research Asst,Inter

Employee Classification: Research Asst,Inter

College/Division: Agricultural,Consumer & Env Sci Col

Department: 302000-ANIMAL AND RANGE SCIENCES

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  $16.83

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Non-Exempt

Summary:  NMSU's Department of Animal and Range Sciences is hiring an Intermediate Research Assistant to support impactful scientific research. This hands-on role includes data collection, laboratory analysis, and fieldwork. Ideal for detail-oriented professionals with a passion for research, animals, and environmental science.

Classification Summary:
Intermediate-level professional in support of a project in a research discipline. Involved in leading lower-level professional and technical support staff or in complex scientific research. Performs complex data collection, reduction, and laboratory techniques requiring the use of independent judgment. Performs tests and analyses to determine procedures to be used and interprets results.

Classification Standard Duties:
Collects, processes, and assists in the compilation and verification of research data, samples, and/or specimens, following strict protocol and detailed instructions. Performs or assists with the execution of routine research protocol, such as interviewing, testing, and/or scientific procedures. Uses specialized analytical equipment, instrumentation, and/or statistical software, as specifically assigned, to assist with routine data analysis and interpretation, as appropriate to the position. Assists in the setup, operation, and maintenance of research equipment, instrumentation, and/or facilities, as specifically instructed. May travel to field research sites or other locations to collect and record data and/or samples, as appropriate to established study objectives and protocols. Follows established departmental policies, procedures, and objectives, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Required Education:Bachelor's degree in a related field.; Required Experience:No previous work experience required.; Equivalency:None; Required Certification/License:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE:Knowledge and understanding of principles, procedures, regulations, and standards applicable to the job. Understanding of the University's mission, vision and goals.; SKILLS:Skill in the use of computerized systems and databases.; ABILITIES:Ability to understand and follow basic scientific research protocol and procedure. Ability to understand and follow complex, detailed technical instructions.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
• Contribute to the development of a web-based IoT platform for near real-time collection, analysis, and visualization of livestock, climate, and remote sensing data.
• Design and test PCB circuit boards for animal tracking and virtual fencing technologies.
• Apply advanced edge- and cloud-computing techniques to control embedded sensors.
• Document research outputs, maintain records and databases, and draft technical reports and scientific publications.
• Present research findings at national and international conferences, seminars, and workshops.
• Establish and maintain a strong research profile for both the individual and the NMSU research group, including publishing in high-quality refereed journals.
• Lead the preparation and submission of competitive grant proposals.

Preferred Qualifications

Special Requirements of the Position

Department Contact:  Santiago Utsumi, 575-646-2514, sutsumi@nmsu.edu

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon external funding

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.