Position Details
Position Information
Job Title Agro Undergrad Appointment Type Student Employee Job Location Corvallis Position Appointment Percent 100 Appointment Basis 12 Pay Method Hourly Pay Period 16th - 15th of the following month Pay Date Last working day of the month Remote or Hybrid option? Min Hourly Rate $15.05 (Standard); $14.05 (Non-Urban); $16.30 (Portland Metro) Max Hourly Rate $21.50 (Standard); $19.50 (Non-Urban); $22.00 (Portland Metro) Position Summary
This recruitment will be used to fill one (1) part-time (a maximum of 24 hours per week during academic terms, up to 40 hours per week during term breaks) Student Technical Assistant position for the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University (OSU).
This position will assist with research projects currently underway in our research group. Information about the lab can be found at http://people.forestry.oregonstate.edu/steve-strauss/home-page. All required training will be provided.
This position is anticipated to run through at least the end of 2026 with potential to be extended beyond that date.
Transferable Skill Development
OSU is committed to ensuring students are prepared for success after graduation through intentional skill development as student employees. The competencies students develop while working at OSU are defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as the essential skills employers seek in their hires. In this position, students learn and build vital career-readiness skills in the primary areas below:
Communication, Critical Thinking, Teamwork, Technology, and Career & Self-Development
Position Duties
80% Work under the supervision of a research associate conducting a variety of tasks supporting a federally funded research project. Research tasks for this position will primarily be in support of a project focused on genetic engineering of microbial strains (Agrobacterium). Research tasks will include DNA fragment amplification/colony screening using PCR, restriction enzyme digestion of plasmid clones, performing various molecular cloning assembly techniques, and transformation, propagation, plasmid purification techniques in both E. coli and Agrobacterium strains. Other tasks required for associated projects may be occasionally assigned.
20% laboratory maintenance work. In addition to research tasks, various other regular duties will be required to support the overall function of the laboratory. These tasks may include plant tissue propagation/transfers, bulk media preparation, data collection, data entry, watering and maintaining growth chamber/greenhouse plants, washing dishes, sweeping/mopping the laboratory space, and other miscellaneous tasks.
The majority of work will be performed in the laboratory, but incumbents must be willing to assist in the greenhouse if needed.
The ideal candidate will have the capacity to absorb and integrate new theoretical knowledge, in addition to being thorough and highly organized in their technical work. They will be required to track and maintain multiple experiments throughout several weeks. Having career goals aligned with the project is desirable as intellectual contributions could lead to inclusion as a co-author in peer-reviewed publications.
Minimum Qualifications
Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: https://hr.oregonstate.edu/student-employment-manual/500-employment-eligibility-requirements
Must be academically enrolled in a high school, community college, or university and pursuing a program or course of study
Must meet Academic Standing Requirements; students on academic suspension are not eligible for employment
Must meet the applicable minimal enrollment standard
High School student: Regularly enrolled in a high school or participating in a home-schooling program
Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate student: 6 credit hours per term
Undergraduate international student: 12 credit hours per term*
Graduate student officially admitted to Graduate School: 5 credit hours per term
Graduate international student officially admitted to Graduate School: 9 credit hours per term*
International students may be allowed to carry fewer hours than specified above and still be considered "full-time" by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A reduced course load is approved by the Office of International Services (OIS), and must be provided to the Student Employment Center.
Additional Required Qualifications
Preferred (Special) Qualifications
Previous experience with maintaining microbial cultures and/or recombinant DNA cloning, including work with plasmids, PCR, primer design, restriction and ligation enzymes, and gel electrophoresis.
Relevant coursework in microbiology, molecular biology, genetics or related topics recorded on transcript.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number P13011SE Number of Vacancies 1 Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 04/13/2026 Anticipated Appointment End Date 06/15/2027 Posting Date 04/03/2026 Full Consideration Date 04/27/2026 Closing Date 05/01/2026 Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / Student - open to ALL qualified/eligible students Special Instructions to Applicants
When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:
A Resume/Vita
A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position
For additional information please contact: Colette Ritcher at colette.ritcher@oregonstate.edu
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.
OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.
Note: All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
Optional Documents