USDA Berry Physiology Research Assistant

Position Details

Position Information

• Job Title: USDA Berry Physiology Research Assistant
• Appointment Type: Student Employee
• Job Location: Corvallis
• Position Appointment Percent: 10
• 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: No
• Min Hourly Rate:
• Standard: 15.05
• Non-Urban: 16.30
• Portland Metro: N/A
• Max Hourly Rate:
• Standard: 21.50
• Non-Urban: 22.00
• Portland Metro: N/A

Position Summary This recruitment will be used to fill four part-time a maximum of 20 hours per week and 40 hours per week during the summer Blueberry Physiology Research Assistant positions for the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University (OSU).

This position performs routine to complex technical or specialized tasks in support of blueberry physiology field research. The positions will have a work schedule of 20 hours per week during the school year and 40 hours per week during the summer. Most work will take place outdoors on a farm, often in sunny and hot conditions.

This work will be performed at two locations:

• USDA-ARS: 3420 NW Orchard Ave., Corvallis
• OSU Lewis Brown Farm: 33329 Peoria Road, Corvallis

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
• Career & Self-Development

Position Duties

• 90%: Assist with field management and/or greenhouse trials that can include:
• Harvesting (primary task)
• Mowing
• Weeding
• Irrigation maintenance
• Fertilizer application
• Potting plants
• Collecting root cores
• Root washing
• Weighing samples
• Other field tasks
• 10%: Assorted lab/office duties that may include:
• pH and EC soil solution measurements
• Sample grinding
• Fruit quality analysis
• Data entry
• Other lab tasks

Minimum Qualifications Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: http://shr.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.
• Note: 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

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• This position is in a federal building and the incumbent must successfully obtain the appropriate security clearance within 90 days of the employment start date.
• Successfully complete and maintain appropriate farm, lab, and greenhouse safety training and certifications.

Preferred Special Qualifications

• Background in Horticulture, Crop Science, or other science field preferred but not required.

Working Conditions

• Work Schedule: 20 hours per week during the school year; 40 hours per week during the summer.

Posting Detail Information

• Posting Number: P12907SE
• Number of Vacancies: 4
• Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: 04/15/2026
• Anticipated Appointment End Date: 09/30/2026
• Posting Date: 03/09/2026
• Full Consideration Date: 06/30/2026
• Closing Date: 06/30/2026

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:

1. A Resume/Vita
2. A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position

For additional information, please contact Scott Orr at scott.orr@usda.gov.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

This position requires driving a University vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the University; therefore, the incumbent must:

• Successfully complete a Motor Vehicle History Check.
• Possess and maintain a current valid drivers license in their state of residence.
• Be determined to be position qualified.
• Self-report convictions as per Voluntary and Compulsory Driver Standards (OSU Standard 125-155-0200) as per OSU Standard 576-056-0000 et seq.

Note: All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval. OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

Supplemental Questions

• Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

• Required Documents: Resume, Cover Letter
• Optional Documents: None listed