The NC State University Tree Improvement Program is hiring a data analyst & database manager.
Although the name is “Tree Improvement Analyst” the program is looking for a person with programing skills, particularly familiarity with SAS, MS Access, ArcGIS and MySQL or similar programs.
The position details and application procedures are posted at:
https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/22982
Essential Job Duties
The major responsibilities include:
1) Participate in research projects carried out by the program faculty, staff, and graduate students.
2) Assist in analyzing and summarizing data, and writing technical documents, including manuscripts for publication.
3) Make technical presentations at research and Cooperative meetings.
4) Take a leadership role in developing and managing a web-based database. Database management duties include data cleaning, updating database with new data, and timely performance and delivery of data summaries and analyses to program members.
5) Maintain records of pedigrees of breeding populations, including updating and organizing the data, and producing graphic presentations of selected subsets of the pedigree data.
6) Organize breeding plans and field progeny tests to provide data required for the Cooperative.
7) Communicate with Cooperative staff and members to implement the breeding and testing plans. 8) Occasional travel will be required.
Minimum Education/Experience
MS or BS (with minimum 2 years experience) in statistics, bioinformatics, computer science, forestry, natural resources, or other relevant biological or social science.
Departmental Required Skills
The candidate must be able to manage program goals (data analyses and delivery of results) in a specified time period with minimal supervision. Strong programming and analytical skills will be needed for effective database management.
The candidate should have excellent SAS programming and Microsoft Access skills. Familiarity with ArcGIS, PostgreSQL or MySQL, the R statistical environment, ASReml, and methods of experimental design are desired. Attention to detail, the ability to work independently, and fluency in oral and written communications are essential. Excellent communication skills are required to interact with field foresters and research scientists in a range of different settings. A willingness to take on new challenges, such as managing large genomic datasets (produced by marker genotyping platforms), will be essential. The successful candidate will have a vision to take the program to the next level of data management in the 21st century.
Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education
Website development and management of program content. Experience using Linux also a plus.
Primary Function of Organizational Unit
The North Carolina State University Cooperative Tree Improvement Program is one of the largest Tree Improvement programs in the world. The Program started in 1956 to genetically improve southern pines. The program remains strong with aggressive breeding, research, education, and outreach efforts. Currently, the Program has 31 members, representing large forestry companies, small landowners, state and federal forest agencies, consulting firms, nursery vendors, real estate investment trusts, timberland investment management organizations, and forest foundations. The Program continuously works to discover innovative ways to accelerate tree breeding, while increasing efficiency.
Fikret T Isik
Associate Professor and University Faculty Scholar
Associate Director of NCSU Cooperative Tree Improvement Program1019 Biltmore Hall,
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8002
Phone: 1-919-449-6891
Website: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~fisik/