Description

External Retirement Plan TRS or ORP Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Full/Part time Full Time Work Schedule Additional Schedule Information
Monday-Friday; 8am-5pm with occasional nights and weekends to meet project demands.
Advertised Salary Commensurate with Experience Posting Date 01/27/2026 Open until filled Yes Closing Date Proposed Starting Date 03/01/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants Location of Vacancy Griffin Area EEO Policy Statement
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).
USG Core Values Statement
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Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Position Information

Classification Title Res Associate-Life Science I FLSA Exempt FTE 1.00 Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a related field of science
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience in laboratory, greenhouse, or plant propagation settings, along with familiarity with seed germination studies, tissue culture, or aseptic techniques. Experience supervising student workers or greenhouse/field crews is beneficial. Strong organizational skills, accurate record keeping, working knowledge of plant care and greenhouse management, and experience with data entry and basic analysis are valued. Ability to operate or learn seed-processing equipment and greenhouse tools is also preferred.
Position Summary
The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at the University of Georgia seeks a detail-oriented and highly organized Laboratory and Greenhouse Manager to support the Turfgrass Breeding Program on the Griffin Campus. This position plays a critical role in managing laboratory and greenhouse operations that underpin the program's research and breeding activities. The Laboratory and Greenhouse Manager will lead laboratory germination studies, tissue culture projects, greenhouse propagation, and plant maintenance. The position will also coordinate day-to-day greenhouse workflows; supervise hourly student workers; organize germplasm inventories; support breeding protocol execution; and assist with seed cleaning, sample processing, data entry, and field planting activities. This individual will help ensure that breeding pipelines operate smoothly and that high-priority selections advance efficiently through laboratory and greenhouse stages.
This position provides valuable hands-on experience in applied plant science research, laboratory management, greenhouse operations, and turfgrass propagation, with opportunities to collaborate closely with graduate students and other research personnel.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Strong organizational and time-management abilities
• Excellent attention to detail
• Proficiency in enforcing laboratory, greenhouse, and breeding protocols
• Effective communication skills for instructing student workers and coordinating daily tasks
• Competence in plant propagation and routine greenhouse maintenance
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with graduate students and research staff
• Strong work ethic and commitment to high-quality research support

Physical Demands

• Working in greenhouse conditions with heat and humidity
• Performing outdoor field activities such as planting and plot preparation
• Lifting up to 50 pounds
• Standing for extended periods while conducting laboratory or greenhouse tasks
• Driving as needed to perform job tasks

Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes Is this a Position of Trust? No Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) No Credit and P-Card policy
Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
Background Investigation Policy
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities
Laboratory and Greenhouse Project Management:

• Lead laboratory germination studies, tissue culture experiments, and sample evaluations, and manage greenhouse propagation, watering, fertilization, pest management, and plant maintenance.
• Ensure laboratory and greenhouse environments remain organized, functional, and appropriately prepared for ongoing research and breeding activities.

Percentage of time 40 Duties/Responsibilities
Germplasm and Seed Management:

• Responsible for organizing, maintaining, and tracking germplasm inventories, including both seed and vegetative plant materials. Assist with seed cleaning, labeling, storage, and maintaining an organized seed cooler system.
• Supports nursery inventory management to ensure accurate labeling and traceability of plant materials. These activities are critical for preserving genetic resources and supporting long-term breeding objectives.

Percentage of time 30 Duties/Responsibilities
Supervision and Workflow Coordination:

• Trains and supervises student workers engaged in greenhouse and laboratory tasks, ensuring proper techniques and protocols are followed.
• Coordinates daily workflows by communicating priorities and timelines to maintain efficient operations.
• Monitors task completion and accuracy to ensure consistency with breeding and research standards. Effective supervision helps maintain productivity and high-quality research outputs.

Percentage of time 15 Duties/Responsibilities
Data Entry, Analysis, and Reporting Support:

• Supports research operations by entering laboratory and greenhouse data into program databases in a timely and accurate manner.
• Assists with preliminary data analysis to help identify trends and inform research decisions.
• Contributes to the preparation of reports, summaries, and documentation for internal use and external reporting. These efforts help ensure data integrity and facilitate communication of research progress.

Percentage of time 10 Duties/Responsibilities
Field and Research Support:

• Provides assistance with field plantings, plot establishment, and sample collection as needed throughout the research season.
• Collaborates with graduate students on research tasks, offering logistical and technical support for project-specific needs.
• Helps ensure smooth integration between field, greenhouse, and laboratory activities. This support contributes to the successful execution of breeding and research trials.

Percentage of time 5

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact

Contact Details
For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.
Recruitment Contact Name Phillip Vines Recruitment Contact Email phillip.vines@uga.edu Recruitment Contact Phone

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter
3. List of References with Contact Information

Optional Documents