Scientific Assistant

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

December 1, 2025

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

1161-YN_ADMINPRO - Scientific Assistant

Business Title:

Scientific Assistant

Employee Type:

Admin. Professional (+) (Fixed Term)

Position Details:

The Opportunity:

As the Scientific Assistant for theDepartment of Crop and Soil Sciences, you will be responsible for conducting field evaluations of varieties of hard red and soft white winter wheat, hard red and soft white spring wheat, and spring barley in eastern Washington as part of an extension program that provides variety performance information for Washington small grain growers. Annually about 80 field trials will be conducted and agronomic performance data will be collected, analyzed, summarized, and published in collaboration with project workers, other variety development professionals at Washington State Univiersity (WSU), other universities, and the private sector. In this role, you will train and manage the work schedules for support personnel to ensure essential activities are completed, maintain equipment and supplies, and facilitate efficient operations.

Additional Information:

This is a full time, 100% FTE, temporary position. This position is overtime eligible.

This is a temporary position that is renewed on an annual basis. Appointment renewal is dependent continued funding and project needs.

Monthly Salary: $3,750.85 - $5,397.56 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline and three (3) years of progressively responsible related professional research experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis. A Master’s degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline may be substituted for up to one year of the required work experience.

• Demonstrated agronomic skill with cereal crops. Experience in crop science and field plot research trials.

• Demonstrated abilities in formal education curriculum, management, and supervision.

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and facilitate work activities in a timely and efficient manner.

• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and navigate Microsoft office software.

• Must possess or be able to obtain within in six months of hire, a Public Operator’s Pesticide License.

• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.

• Must possess, or be able to obtain at time of hire, first-aid certification and workers protection safety certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's in related field, five years experience in field trials.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate both orally and written.

• Ability to operate statistical analyses software using Genovix.

About Department/College/Area/ Campus - Department of Crop and Soil Sciences | Washington State University

Area/College: College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)
Department Name: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
Location: Pullman, WA

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1) Resume
2) Cover Letter

External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.
Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or .

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: