Department:

Laboratory for the American Conversation

Special Instructions to Applicants:

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

• A Resume

For additional information please contact: Elizabeth Marino at Elizabeth.Marino@osucascades.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

Job Description:

This recruitment will be used to fill one part-time (a maximum of 24 hours per week) Student Research Assistant for the Laboratory for the American Conversation at Oregon State University (OSU).

The Laboratory for the American Conversation at Oregon State University–Cascades is seeking an undergraduate research assistant to join a nationally recognized team working at the intersection of psychology, anthropology, and public discourse. The Lab uses social theory, discourse analysis, and large-scale surveys to uncover what values communities express when they enter into public discourse, and what threats they are trying to avoid. Our work tackles some of the most divisive issues of our time, from climate change to public health, with the goal of building communication strategies and tools that foster respectful dialogue and forge new solutions.

This is a opportunity to contribute to research with real public impact. Working alongside faculty and research staff, the successful candidate will gain hands-on experience across the full research lifecycle, from IRB-compliant study design through data collection, analysis, and write-up, while developing skills directly relevant to graduate study and careers in research, policy, and public service. You'll be part of a small, collaborative team on OSU-Cascades' Bend campus that promotes an intellectually and inter-culturally rich environment for engaging the critical issues confronting the American public.

Learn more about the Lab and its work at https://osucascades.edu/lac.

Position Duties:

• Assist with the design and execution of research projects, ensuring all activities comply with IRB protocols and university research policies.

• Conduct literature reviews and synthesize scholarly sources to support project development and framing.

• Collect, organize, and manage research data, maintaining accurate records and adhering to data-handling and confidentiality requirements.

• Contribute to the drafting, editing, and formatting of research write-ups, reports, and related materials.

• Support the preparation and submission of IRB documentation, including consent forms, protocol amendments, and required approvals.

• Attend regular lab meetings and collaborate with faculty and research staff to track project progress and deadlines.

• Perform administrative and logistical tasks related to research operations, such as scheduling, correspondence, and materials preparation.

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, Career & Self Development

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 theOffice of International Services(OIS), and must be provided to the Student Employment Center.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience in social science research:

• Qualitative research methods

• Quantitative research methods

• Data organization and analysis

Working Conditions/Schedule:

• The Laboratory for the American Conversation has a need for an undergraduate student researcher to help with a new data collection.• Might work up to 10-15 hours/week• Hybrid

Salary Range:

Anticipated Start Date:

2026-08-28

Anticipated End Date:

2026-09-01