Cereal Quality Lab Manager

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26325 For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Mike Giroux

[email protected]

406-994-7877

Classification Title Research/Lab Mgr Working Title Cereal Quality Lab Manager Brief Position Overview

Lead a highly respected analytical lab that supports Montana’s wheat, barley, and pulse breeding programs. In this role, you will supervise staff, manage budgets and data workflows, and spearhead method development to keep the lab at the forefront of quality testing. You’ll collaborate with faculty and grad students, pursue funding opportunities, and represent the lab at state and national meetings. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys scientific leadership with real-world impact.

Position Number 4C0086 Department Plant Sciences Division College of Agriculture/MAES Appointment Type Professional Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications. Contract Type LOA If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

The Montana State University Cereal Quality Laboratory (CQL) researches the end-use properties of cereal grains. Emphasis is on flour milling and bread-baking traits of hard red and hard white wheats. In addition, the growing interest in the use of hard white wheat for the Asian noodle market has instituted noodle quality evaluation. Effects of various environmental and genetic factors are determined. The CQL cooperates with wheat breeders, field technicians, research center scientists, and others to ensure that high quality wheats are released and recommended by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station. Additionally, the CQL is valuable in assisting with the development of new markets for Montana wheats and other small grains.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of the Cereal Quality Lab (CQL) and supervise all full‑time, part‑time, and student employees.
• Schedule, train, and coordinate staff duties to ensure efficient workflow and timely completion of analyses.
• Report to the CQL Director’s group consisting of the breeding program faculty and participate in regular meetings with all faculty, graduate students, and program leaders clientele.
• Develop, test, and implement new analytical methods, integrating them into the yearly testing schedule as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate records and databases for all current and historical assay data.
• Oversee the lab’s operational budget, ensuring responsible use of resources.
• Prepare and submit grants to support materials, supplies, student employees, and partial funding for full‑time staff.
• Develop new testing methods for pulse crops to support high-quality variety releases.
• Seek funding for new equipment and technological upgrades to improve efficiency and meet market and export requirements.
• Travel occasionally to regional or national quality meetings to represent the lab and stay informed on industry developments.
• Attend and participate in Montana Wheat and Barley research roundup meetings. Schedule research projects to be completed as time becomes available during the summer when normal breeding samples are being submitted.
• Contribute to and submit research publications.
  
  

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• M.S. degree in Plant Sciences, Plant Genetics, Cereal Chemistry, Food Science, or a closely related field.
• Experience supervising employees, including training, scheduling, and managing workflows.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets and overseeing laboratory operations or research project finances.
• Experience developing, validating, or implementing analytical or laboratory methods.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain accurate, long‑term datasets.
• Effective communication skills for working with faculty, graduate students, staff, and external partners.
• Ability to work independently, set priorities, and manage multiple projects within seasonal deadlines.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Ph.D. in Plant Sciences, Cereal Chemistry, Food Science, Plant Genetics, or a related discipline.
• Experience conducting and publishing research in grain, pulse, or plant‑quality science.
• Background in plant genetics and working with plant breeding programs.
• Experience developing or optimizing analytical methods for cereals or pulses.
• Demonstrated success securing grants or funding for laboratory projects or equipment.
• Experience presenting research at regional or national meetings.
  
  

The Successful Candidate Will

• Strong leadership and team‑management skills, with the ability to motivate, guide, and support staff at all levels.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and seasonal workflows.
• Clear and professional communication, both written and verbal, for working with faculty, students, staff, and external partners.
• Problem‑solving and critical‑thinking abilities to troubleshoot equipment, methods, workflows, and data issues.
• Initiative and independence, with the ability to prioritize tasks and keep the lab running smoothly with minimal supervision.
• Collaborative mindset, able to build productive relationships across research programs and user groups.
• Adaptability and openness to innovation, especially when integrating new methods or technologies.
• Attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy in all testing and record‑keeping.
  
  

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information Physical Demands

• Ability to lift, carry, and move containers or samples weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Work in environments where wheat, grain dust, and other crop materials are present.
• Occasional outdoor work, including inclement weather, while handling samples or supporting field related activities.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and perform routine laboratory and sample handling tasks for extended periods.
  
  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? Yes

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Position End Date (if temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on March 31, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
  
  

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).