Temporary Research Assistant - Perennial Wheat

Temporary Perennial Wheat Research Assistant - July - December 2024

Who We Are + What We Do

The Land Institute co-leads the global movement for perennial, diverse, regenerative grain agriculture at a scale that matches the enormity of the intertwined climate, water, and food security crises. An independent 501c3 non-profit founded in 1976, the organization seeks to reconcile the human economy with nature's economy, starting with food. The transdisciplinary team of scientists, together with global partners, are developing new perennial grain crops, like Kernza©, and diverse cropping systems that function within nature's limits and researching the social transformation required for a just, perennial human future.

How You’d Fit In + Stand Out

The General Research Assistant will assist with seasonal research activities including planting, harvesting, weeding, threshing, plant tissue collection, data entry, dishwashing and other research support tasks. They will be expected to be able to work indoors and outdoors doing manual, repetitive tasks for hours at a time. This hourly position allows for flexible scheduling (20-40 hours a week) that may be dependent on weather and labor availability. This position does not have supervisory responsibilities. The Land Institute believes each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. Those contributions may be outside of regular duties. It is our expectation that each employee will offer his or her services in a courteous, cooperative, and helpful manner, with a positive attitude and in the spirit of teamwork to ensure the success of our company.

As a Perennial Wheat Research Assistant, you’ll:

• Assist the Perennial Wheat Program researchers with research tasks.
• Single-head threshing and seed sorting.
• Be able to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Complete manual, repetitive tasks.
  
  
  

Who You Are

• Must be at least 16 years of age at the start of the position
• Minimum education and experience required: none
• Minimum licensure or registration required: none
• Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required:
• Ability to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintain them over time.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where some guidance and standardization exists.
• Ability to follow instructions, including written safety warnings.
• Legible handwriting and accurate labeling are required skills.
• Ability and willingness to provide and/or diligently use provided personal health and protective equipment or supplies including drinking water, sunscreen, shade hat, insect repellent, and shoes and clothing appropriate for field work.
  
  
  

Environmental + Working Conditions

Tasks involve the regular and sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, often involving some combination of climbing ladders, bending, reaching, standing, operating equipment, working on uneven terrain, balancing, stooping, kneeling, couching, and crawling, and which involves the lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (up to 60 pounds) and occasionally heavy items (up to 100 pounds).

Hours

This hourly position allows for flexible scheduling (20-40 hours a week) that may be dependent on weather and labor availability. Generally available to work up to forty hours per week, primarily during 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Central Time on weekdays when most of our staff and collaborators are working. Some evening and weekend working hours depending on needs of the organization.

Location + Travel

Employees must be able to provide their own transportation to 2440 E Water Well Rd in Salina, KS each day and must be willing to carpool in company vehicles to field sites and comply with seatbelt laws.

Compensation and Benefits:

The hourly rate pay band for this non-exempt position is $13.00 - $16.00. Benefits are not included.

To Apply:

Please submit your interest by clicking on apply below. Initial candidate review will begin July 8, 2024.

The Land Institute is an equal opportunity employer and embraces the opportunity to provide employment to qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. We are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.