Research Technician - Entry Level

Research Technician - Entry Level (8427)

Duda Farm Fresh Foods is seeking a motivated Entry-Level Research Technician to join our dynamic Research and Development team in Salinas, CA. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a sophisticated and large-scale celery breeding program, while also providing technical support to both the celery and radish breeding initiatives. This position is responsible for assisting in all technical aspects of the breeding programs, including, but not limited to, assisting with the filling of trial seed packets, sowing seed in the greenhouses and cages, planting selections from the breeding programs, performing hand pollinations for the radish breeding program, monitoring the greenhouse and cages in the greenhouse yard and Island for any plant health issues and communicating any issues to a supervisor, harvesting seed from selections and research cages, cleaning research seed, conducting germination tests, and any other day to day activities warranted by the breeding programs. This position reports to Assistant Manager, Seed Operations and is located in Salinas, California.

Essential job responsibilities :

• Monitoring the greenhouse and cages in the greenhouse yard and Island for any plant health issues and communicating any issues to a supervisor.
• Harvesting and cleaning seed from selections and research cages.
• Conducting germination tests and accurately recording the results.
• Sowing seed in the greenhouses and cages, planting selections from the breeding programs, and performing hand pollinations for the radish breeding program.
• Assist with the packaging of trial seed.
• Evaluate seed crops to ensure purity and trueness to variety with a priority on hybrids but inclusive of OP's (especially the male parents). Work with the team to ensure protocols are maintained and / or improve purity and seed quality.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities :

Working Conditions :

Duda Farm Fresh Foods provides a fair and equal employment opportunity for all employees and job applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. We expect and require the cooperation of all employees in maintaining a discrimination and harassment-free work environment. We offer an excellent benefit package as part of our total compensation including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401K, flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement program, paid time off and much more.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only those candidates who are selected for interviews will be contacted.