Research Technician

More than 5 years of experience working with sheep or goats. Skills in breeding, bleeding, husbandry, pasture grazing and maintenance, parasite identification and treatment. General skills in plumbing, electrical and mechanical helpful. FAMACHA, feca sampling, taking blood samples and handling research protocols necessary. 5 years as an experienced operator of all farm equipment.

The primary purpose of this position is to manage the Reproductive Physiology sheep & goat flock and to coordinate experimental protocols with the principal investigator. This includes feeding, breeding, cleaning, data collection, husbandry needs for the unit's animals and maintenance of related equipment.

This position serves as the coordinator for the small ruminant unit at the university farm. This position also serves as intricate person in crop production and equipment operations to supply the unit and farm with animal feed needs. To include; operating tractors ,mowers, balers ,backhoes and all equipment associated with farming practices.

N.C. A&T is a public, land-grant, doctoral research institution and has been the largest historically Black university in the country for the past decade. With an enrollment of 14,311 students in Fall 2024, the university offers 59 undergraduate degree programs, 36 master's programs, and 12 doctoral programs. It is America's top producer of Black graduates in Engineering and Agricultural Science bachelor's programs, as well as a top five producer in numerous additional disciplines, including Liberal Arts and Communications/Journalism. It also ranks no. 3 in master's degrees awarded to Black graduates in Engineering Technologies and Related Fields, no. 4 in master's degrees in Engineering, and no. 11 best business school for women in the nation.

Nationally recognized for its leadership and excellence in STEM education and research, N.C. A&T is classified as "R2-High Research Activity" in the Carnegie Classifications and is poised to achieve "R1-Very High Research Activity" status. It also holds Carnegie's earned credential in Community Engagement and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities ( APLU) Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation. With an annual economic impact of $2.4 billion, N.C. A&T plays a vital role as a higher-education economic driver in North Carolina's Piedmont Triad region and across a state that is ranked No. 1 in the nation for the second straight year as "best for business" by the CNBC financial network.

The University Farm is a vital component of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, which is the oldest academic unit at North Carolina A&T State University. The primary purpose of the farm is to provide resources in the form of land, animals, water, personnel, expertise, equipment and facilities to researchers conducting studies in agriculture and serve as an outdoor laboratory for the CAES. The University farm is a 492 acre unit owned by the university with 15 permanent employees, 2-4 temporary employees and numerous student employees; annually and seasonal.

The farm serves approximately 25 scientists from A&T, and 4 to 6 scientists from surrounding universities, encompassing studies in crops, animals aquaculture, organics, soils and pesticides. To further facilitate these studies, the farm is divided into 7 different units, with each having a coordinator and staff or student labor to orchestra given protocols. These units are: swine, beef cow, dairy, poultry, small ruminant, field crops and horticulture. Each of these areas is an intricate part of interdisciplinary studies at the university and in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. The units are use weekly by agriculture and related classes during the semester for their practical, hands on experience and laboratory exercises. The farm is within 3 miles of the main campus, thus providing easy access to instructors, classes, as well as graduate and under graduate students conducting continual education studies. The farm is also a great resource for the community by providing weekly tours for local,regional,state and national groups seeking exposure and the experience of a model farm.

This position works in concert with researchers and professors in the Animal Science dept, assisting with laboratory exercises, class instruction and special problem student projects.

Seminars, work shops and field day expositions are part of the responsibilities. Supervise student workers assigned to the research facility (evaluate performance, record hours worked, and making sure that the students follow the rules and guidelines for the research project, handling of animals and safety and sanitary maintenance of the facilities).

Manage the sheep/goat research facility in a manner that meets the research objectives as designated by the principal investor and Farm Superintendent. Assist general Farm crew.

Document dates, birth, weights, and other vital information as it pertains to the animals and monthly inventory as to the disposition of all animals.

Perform natural breeding and heat checks on the animals.

Administer vaccines to animals as needed.

Attend seminars and/or workshops on new methodology as it relates to reproduction in sheep

Feed animals daily or as designated by the research objectives.

Follow guidelines for safety and sanitation for the facilities, animals as designed by the university department, and government requirements.

Perform surgical flushing techniques for collecting uterine secretions, blood samples or other types of biological samples from ewes, while assisting with the instructional process.

Assist farm crew with hay and other crop production need to maintain the unit's and farm animal herds. Operate any and all farm equipment as needed. Maintain unit by doing small plumbing, electrical ,roofing and fencing jobs

Keep daily records of all unit activities and provide monthly status report along with vehicle logs, animal data, unit attendance sheets and sales information.

Create purchase orders and use other procurement methods to keep unit's inventory of feed, medicines and equipment as required by the operation and/or research project.

Attend weekly meetings with a plan of action and make formal request for external needs through the proper channels and protocol.

You must complete and submit an electronic application for employment to be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD 214 form. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with your application during the process of applying to the job posting. Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. North Carolina A&T State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. North Carolina A&T State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. No one who applies or seeks employment will be denied admission to or employment at North Carolina A&T State University on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disabling condition, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or sexual orientation and sexual identity.

Employee Benefits available to NC A & T permanent employees include the following and more: