New

Research Professional-Chu

University of Georgia

retirement plan

United States, Georgia, Athens

Jan 27, 2026

Posting Details

Posting Number	S14633P
Working Title	Research Professional-Chu
Department	CAES-Horticulture
About the University of Georgia	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.
About the College/Unit/Department
College/Unit/Department website
Posting Type	External
Retirement Plan	TRS or ORP
Employment Type	Employee
Benefits Eligibility	Benefits Eligible
Full/Part time	Full Time
Work Schedule
Additional Schedule Information	Schedule to be determined by supervisor.
Advertised Salary	Commensurate with Experience
Posting Date	01/27/2026
Open until filled	Yes
Closing Date
Proposed Starting Date	02/09/2026
Special Instructions to Applicants	Please include a list of references.
Location of Vacancy	Tifton 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	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.

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	Ph.D. in related field preferred.
Position Summary	The Research Professional position is critical to accomplishing the mission of the blueberry breeding program. The successful candidate will support the maintenance of nutrition, weed control, and insecticide programs for approximately 20 acres of blueberry plantings at the UGA Alapaha Research Farm. Responsibilities include performing artificial hybridizations; harvesting, extracting, germinating, and transplanting seed populations; establishing softwood cuttings and tissue culture; assisting with Phytophthora and Septoria leaf spot trials; conducting fruit harvests and fruit quality analyses; and performing molecular and tissue culture laboratory experiments for advanced selections and new cultivars. The successful candidate will work closely with the blueberry breeding team to maintain and advance blueberry genetic materials at the Alapaha Research Farm and the UGA Tifton campus. Additional duties include establishing and managing grower field trials; collecting and analyzing phenotypic data; downloading, managing, and analyzing genomic sequencing data; and performing associated statistical and bioinformatic analyses. The position also involves writing research reports and scientific manuscripts for peerreviewed publications, assisting with grant proposal preparation, supervising student workers, and supporting research projects led by graduate students.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies	Experience with tissue culture Experience with bioinformatics Statistics knowledge Knowledge of scientific writing practices Familiar with DNA and RNA extraction
Physical Demands	Work in the fields at all time of the year Lifting Bending Standing for long periods of time Driving to field sites as needed
Is driving a responsibility of this position?	Yes
Is this a Position of Trust?	Yes
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)	Yes
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

Field Preparation, Management, and Fruit Data Collection
Facilitate field preparation, establishment, and ongoing management of blueberry genetic materials at the UGA Alapaha Research Farm.

Prepare planting sites; transplant seedlings, softwood cuttings, and tissuecultured plantlets; and support nutrient, weed, and insect management programs across approximately 20 acres of research plantings.
Maintain field trials and breeding populations to support annual breeding objectives.
Coordinate fruit harvest operations, conducting fruit quality evaluations, and collecting, recording, and managing phenotypic and yield data for use in breeding selection and research analyses.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Greenhouse, Nursery, and Misting House Management

Oversee the management, organization, and maintenance of blueberry genetic materials housed in the greenhouse, nursery, and misting house facilities on the UGA Tifton campus.
Coordinate the propagation, acclimatization, and care of seedlings, cuttings, and advanced selections ensuring optimal growing conditions.
Maintain accurate plant records and support the movement of genetic materials between controlled environments and field sites in accordance with breeding program timelines.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Plant Propagation and Genetic Advancement

Facilitate the micropropagation of blueberry genetic materials through tissue culture to support the rapid multiplication and preservation of elite selections and new cultivars.
Initiate cultures, maintain sterile culture conditions, manage subcultures, acclimatize plantlets, and coordinate the transfer of tissuecultured materials to greenhouse or field environments.
- This work supports longterm genetic maintenance and the advancement of promising breeding materials.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Reports and Publications

Perform statistical data analysis of phenotypic, genotypic, and field trial data generated by the breeding program.
Compile results into research summaries and formal reports and contribute to the preparation of scientific manuscripts for submission to peerreviewed journals.
Assist in the preparation of grant proposals and progress reports by providing analyzed data, figures, and written technical content in support of funding and reporting requirements.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Sequencing Data and Bioinformatics Support

Manage and maintain genomic sequencing databases generated for diverse blueberry populations used in the breeding program.
Download, organize, curate, and archive sequencing datasets - ensuring data integrity and accessibility.
Perform basic bioinformatic and statistical analyses to support breeding decisions, genetic diversity assessments, and research publications.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities	Laboratory Support and Supervision Supervise and train student associates Support research projects led by graduate students by assisting with experimental setup, data collection, documentation, and adherence to laboratory and field protocols. Coordinate daily activities to ensure efficient workflow and compliance with research objectives.
Percentage of time	5