NC State University Cooperative Tree Improvement Program
Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
College of Natural Resources
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
Essential Job Duties: The Cooperative Tree Improvement Program in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University invites applications for a research associate position as Analyst / Database Manager. The major responsibilities include:
1) Manage and implement new solutions for the Cooperative’s web-based database. Database management duties include updating database with new data, development of new queries, manage user access, and timely delivery of data summaries and analyses to program members. Attention to data quality at every step is critical.
2) Participate in and help lead research projects carried out by the Program faculty, staff, and graduate students.
3) Assist in analyzing and summarizing data, and writing technical documents. Make technical presentations at research and Cooperative meetings.
4) Maintain records of pedigrees of breeding populations, including updating and organizing the data.
5) Communicate with Cooperative staff and members to implement the breeding and testing plans.
6) Occasional travel will be required.
Minimum Education/Experience: Master of Science or Bachelor of Science in statistics, mathematics, bioinformatics, computer science, forestry, natural resources, or other relevant biological, quantitative, or social science.
Required Skills: The candidate must be able to manage program goals (database management, data analyses and delivery of results) in a specified time period with minimal supervision. Strong programing, quantitative, and analytical skills will be needed for effective database management. Excellent oral and written communication skills are required to interact with members, stakeholders, field foresters and research scientists in a range of different settings. A strong attention to detail is required for good data management practices. A willingness to take on new challenges will be essential (e.g. managing large datasets produced by marker genotyping platforms, LIDAR measurements, and data from other new/innovative technology). The successful candidate will have a vision to take the program to the next level of data management in the 21st century.
Experience with a scripting language (PHP preferred; Python, Perl, etc. also acceptable) and with relational databases (PostgreSQL preferred, MySQL, Oracle, Microsoft Access, etc.) is expected. Experience with statistical programming language (R statistical environment, SAS, etc.) is expected.
Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education: Experience embedding PHP into HTML is highly desirable. Some experience with HTML and CSS, writing/conveying technical information to a variety of audiences and familiarity with Linux system administration and the command line interface are desirable.
Job Posted on programmingr.com
Application: To apply for the position, visit: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/
Please include as attachments a cover letter, CV, and contact information for references.
For questions about this position or the Cooperative Tree Improvement Program, contact:
Steve McKeand, search committee chair <Steve_McKeand@ncsu.edu> (919-886-6073) or Fikret Isik < Fikret_Isik@ncsu.edu> (919-449-6891)
Job posting will be open until at least March 30, 2016 and may be extended.
The North Carolina State University Cooperative Tree Improvement Program (http://treeimprovement.org/) is one of the largest Tree Improvement programs in the world. The Program started in 1956 to genetically improve southern pines, and it remains strong with aggressive breeding, research, education, and outreach efforts. Currently, the Program has 33 members, representing large forestry companies, small landowners, state and federal forest agencies, consulting firms, nursery vendors, real estate investment trusts, timberland investment management organizations, and forest foundations. The Program continuously works to discover innovative ways to accelerate tree breeding, while increasing efficiency.
The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State (www.cnr.ncsu.edu/for/) has 61 full time teaching and research faculty with a wide variety of strengths in forestry and natural resources management, policy, economics, environmental technology, fisheries and wildlife, tree improvement, silviculture, forest biotechnology, international forestry, biodiversity, conservation and restoration ecology, and geographic information systems. The Department offers undergraduate, masters, and doctoral degrees, and currently has 448 undergraduate and 246 graduate students. Active research programs within the Department generate about $6 million annually in extramural funds. North Carolina State University is one of the nation’s leading public land-grant universities with a total enrollment of approximately 34,000 students. The university is located in the capital city of Raleigh in the Research Triangle area.