Research Technician

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

Normal schedule Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm but hours and days could vary based on research.

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).

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

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.

The incumbent in this role will prepare root samples from Sorghum bicolor and related land plants for imaging Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ( AMF) in the roots and execute robotic imaging of root samples from Sorghum bicolor on a Zeiss AxioScan VII robotic scanner. Some of the imaging will be bright-field imaging; some of the imaging will be fluorescent imaging of the roots. Participate in harvesting the root samples from the field. These activities are all part of a DOE project to understand the symbiosis between plants and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi found in most land plants for the purpose of biofuel production.

Normal Lab activity.

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.

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.

Image root samples on a robotic imager. Employee will execute robotic imaging of these root samples from Sorghum bicolor on a Zeiss AxioScan 7 robotic microscope. This will include reviewing the whole slide images for quality to adjust the imaging pipeline to produce higher quality images. Some of the imaging will be bright field imaging; some of the imaging will be fluorescent imaging of the roots. The result will be gigapixel whole slide images for further analysis by computer vision methods.

Prepare root samples. The person in this position will clear and stain root samples from Sorghum bicolor and related land plants for imaging of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ( AMF) and related root fungi, such as dark septates, in the roots

Harvest root samples from field. Employee will participate in the planting, maintaining, and harvesting root samples in the field at a nearby experimental field station and growth of plants in nearby greenhouses. The person in this position will clear and stain root samples from Sorghum bicolor and related land plants for imaging of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi ( AMF) and related root fungi, such as dark septates, in the roots.