Jobs in Botany and Plant Pathology
Staff, faculty, and student employment opportunities will be listed here.
For open postdoctoral positions, click here to visit the OSU Graduate School listing.
(Last modified 9/28/2022)
Student Employment
Plant Clinic Lab Technician
The OSU Plant Clinic is looking for students to help in a fast-paced disease diagnostic laboratory! Come help us as we help growers solve plant health problems.
Hours are typically 10-15 per week during the school year and up to 40 hours per week during summer breaks. Students must be available to work during all breaks.
The OSU Plant Clinic needs highly motivated and self-initiating students who can work independently while working as part of team doing things such as culturing from plant tissue for fungi and bacteria, purifying bacteria to allow for identification, helping to ID bacteria by performing Gram stains and using substrate utilization profiling, making nutrient media, washing labware, autoclaving materials, and other essential lab duties. Greenhouse duties are also assigned occasionally, often for fertilizing, transplanting, and weeding the Clinic’s research plants. Most work is carried out in a typical wet lab.
No work on weekends or after hours is required.
Responsibilities:
- 60%: Processing, planting, and streaking samples
- 20%: Washing labware
- 15%: Making media
- 5%: Assisting with miscellaneous greenhouse tasks and other tasks as needed
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
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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*
- Must be able to work during the summer and during breaks
- Must have excellent English communication skills, both oral and written
- Must be able to follow step-by-step instructions carefully with much attention to detail and precision
- Must be able to work unsupervised, as well as in a team environment
Preferred:
- Background in plant biology and related fields
- Previous lab experience a plus
Anticipated to begin on October 7th, 2022.
Closing on September 23rd, 2022.
BPP - Baker
This recruitment will be used to fill 3 part-time (a maximum of 20 hours per week) BPP-Baker Positions for the Agriculture Botany and Plant Pathology Department at Oregon State University (OSU).
Responsibilities:
- Facility maintenance, furniture assembly, space preparation: 35%
- Move furniture and equipment: 30%
- Running errands between buildings: 15%
- Computer data entry: 10%
- Photocopying and scanning: 10%
Requirements:
- Must be available to work Summer term. Also, to work late/weekends occasionally.
- Must be able to lift < 100 with assistance.
- Must be able to drive a university vehicle.
Anticipated to begin on February 15th, 2022.
Closing on March 2nd, 2022.
Faculty/Staff Employment
Putnam - Faculty Research Assistant
The Department of Ag Botany & Plant Pathology invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Faculty Research Assistant position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head.
This full-time position is to provide primary support of disease diagnostics efforts in the OSU Plant Clinic, and to assist or perform applied research regarding etiology; plant pathogens, their detection, and epidemiology. An experienced diagnostician is preferred, but we will train an exceptional person with enthusiasm for plant disease diagnosis and providing outstanding service to clients. This is a dynamic position and the successful candidate must be flexible, able to rapidly adapt to changing demands, and work creatively and productively within the confines of time constraints. The successful candidate will have excellent problem-solving and analytical thinking skills, knowledge of plant biology, is detail-oriented, and can address multiple demands on one’s time.
Reappointment is at the discretion of the the Department Head.
The physical working conditions are those of a standard microbiology laboratory involving standing and sitting, and alternating between both (e.g. between examination table and bench microscopes). Use of microscopes, cameras, autoclaves and other standard lab equipment. Handling of ingredients to make media, including antimicrobial compounds. Occasional work in a greenhouse located within 1/4 mile of the work site. Long periods of computer use may be necessary. Ability to lift and move up to 40 pounds of plant material on occasion.
Responsibilities:
- Plant disease diagnosis, including biotic and abiotic causality, using traditional morphological, biochemical, serological, and molecular methods consistent with protocols and in a timely manner;
- Thoroughly documenting sample information and maintaining and updating Plant Clinic records, including those required by State and Federal authorities;
- Documenting samples by taking publication quality digital images;
- Communicating with clients via phone and e-mail; writing replies for clients which summarize results from diagnostic assays and observations; provide recommendations for disease management consistent with current laws;
- Participating in the upkeep of general laboratory order, functions, and cleanliness, and in maintenance of and ordering laboratory stocks, materials, and equipment;
- Maintaining integrity of sample quality;
- Keeping track of equipment certification needs;
- Analyzing, modifying, and validating new detection methodologies for pathogen identification; includes analyzing DNA sequences and evaluating suitability for detection using web based bioinformatics;
- Participating in or conducting greenhouse and growth chamber experiments.
Breakdown:
- 80%: Diagnosis of plant diseases using appropriate technology; ensuring implementation of appropriate handling and reporting, according to protocols; adapting protocols or designing new detection protocols using molecular methods; photographing plant samples; and assisting the laboratory staff with their operations and experiments.
- 10% Supervision, including planning work schedules, assigning work, and recruiting student hourly workers.
- 5% Preparation of progress reports for grant funding agencies; preparation of presentations and manuscripts for peer reviewed publication.
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5% Service
- 1. Participate in departmental faculty meetings, committees, and other appropriate activities. Driving maybe required to reach destinations.
- 2. Serve on Extension, College, and University committees as appropriate.
- 3. Serve on external committees and boards as requested and as appropriate.
Requirements:
- An earned BS degree in plant pathology or closely related field
- Experience with classical microbiological and routine molecular methods for pathogen isolation and identification
- Demonstrated ability to work productively, effectively, and cooperatively with colleagues; ability to work independently while also working to meet team goals
- Demonstrated ability to consistently meet deadlines
- Must be fluent in oral and written English
- Ability to search scientific literature and to distinguish between valid and invalid sources of information
- Experience with common computer software for word processing, data analysis graphics, and records databases.
- Must have the ability to work flexible hours including occasional evenings and weekends; must be willing and able to drive self to meetings and other events as necessary
- Must obtain a pesticide applicator’s license within 90 days of hire
Preferred:
- An earned MS (with thesis) and two years’ experience diagnosing plant problems, including diseases caused by fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, phytoplasmas and viruses; abiotic disorders; and recognition of damage caused by insects, other arthropods and mammals.
- Ability to correctly use taxonomic keys to identify fungi and oomycetes morphologically.
- Proven experience with following written protocols to obtain a stated objective.
- A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
- Experience in a professional capacity with a broad range of ornamental and edible plants.
- A broad background in the biological sciences, including experience in many of the following areas: botany, chemistry, horticulture, microbiology, soil science, bacteriology, mycology, virology, plant pathology, entomology and molecular biology.
This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
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 driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.
Anticipated to begin on January 2nd, 2023.
Closing on November 15th, 2022.
BPP - Ecampus Academic Advisor and Instructor
The Department of Botany and Plant Pathology (BPP) invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, Ecampus Academic Advisor and Instructor position. The incumbent will hold two appointments, a 0.45 FTE position as Ecampus Academic Advisor, and a 0.55 FTE fixed-term Instructor, reflecting job duties in both the academic and administrative areas.
Reappointment is at the discretion of the the Department Head.
Responsibilities:
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50%: Develop and teach five sections of two to three Botany Ecampus courses
- Including, not limited to, Mycology and Plant Ecology
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45%: Advising approximately 125 Botany Ecampus students through email, zoom and other technologies
- Communicate with students frequently the Botany/OSU degree requirements
- Assist with scheduling classes
- Certify degree completion
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5%: Other university/department services
- Reviewing manuscripts for publication & funding proposals
- Involvement in professional organizations
- Other services as needed
Requirements:
- M.S. in Botany, Plant Sciences, or related field of Life Sciences.
- Demonstrable commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Comfortable working in an office environment and engaging regularly with students.
Preferred:
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Ph.D. in Botany, Plant Sciences, or related field of Life Sciences.
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Computer and office/communication software proficiency.
Anticipated to begin on August 1st, 2022.
Closing on June 23rd, 2022.
Instructor Pool - 2022/2023
The Department of Agriculture Botany & Plant Pathology invites applications for one or more fixed-term, non-tenure-track full/part-time Instructor positions to teach on a term-by-term basis for the 2022-2023 academic year. Some of these appointments may be reviewed for renewal or transition to an instructional position on an annual basis at the discretion of the Department Head.
The primary mission of the OSU Department of Botany and Plant Pathology is undergraduate and graduate education, research, and extension. The Department has 25 tenured and tenure-tracked faculty, 31 faculty research assistants/associates, 6 administrative staff members, 40 graduate students advised by BPP faculty, 66 undergraduate majors, 72 distance ed undergraduates and 24 courtesy/adjunct appointments. The Department offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Botany and Plant Pathology and contributes in a major way to teaching and advising in the Biology Program. The Department participates in several interdisciplinary teaching and research programs, including the Environmental Sciences Undergraduate and Graduate Programs, and the Center for Quantitative Life Sciences.
Responsibilities:
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100%: Instruction
- Instructors may be needed to teach courses in undergraduate and graduate areas.
- Some instructors may be required to travel using University vehicles for class field trips, or collecting samples for research plots.
Requirements:
- Master’s degree in Botany and Plant Pathology, Biology, or related life science.
- Teaching experience at the college or university level.
- Evident commitment to cultural diversity and educational equity.
- This position may require driving a University vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the University
Preferred:
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Ph.D. in Botany, Biology, or related field of life sciences.
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A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
Anticipated to begin on September 16th, 2022.
Closing on June 15th, 2023.
Instructor Pool - 2022/2023: eCampus
The Department of Agriculture Botany & Plant Pathology invites applications for one or more fixed-term, non-tenure-track full/part-time Instructor positions to teach on a term-by-term basis for the 2022-2023 academic year. Some of these appointments may be reviewed for renewal or transition to an instructional position on an annual basis at the discretion of the Department Head.
The primary mission of the OSU Department of Botany and Plant Pathology is undergraduate and graduate education, research, and extension. The Department has 25 tenured and tenure-tracked faculty, 31 faculty research assistants/associates, 6 administrative staff members, 40 graduate students advised by BPP faculty, 66 undergraduate majors, 72 distance ed undergraduates and 24 courtesy/adjunct appointments. The Department offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Botany and Plant Pathology and contributes in a major way to teaching and advising in the Biology Program. The Department participates in several interdisciplinary teaching and research programs, including the Environmental Sciences Undergraduate and Graduate Programs, and the Center for Quantitative Life Sciences.
Responsibilities:
-
100%: Instruction
- Instructors may be needed to teach courses in undergraduate and graduate areas.
Requirements:
- Master’s degree in Botany and Plant Pathology, Biology, or related life science.
- Teaching experience at the college or university level.
- Evident commitment to cultural diversity and educational equity.
Preferred:
-
Ph.D. in Botany, Biology, or related field of life sciences.
-
A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
Anticipated to begin on September 16th, 2022.
Closing on June 15th, 2023.
Temporary Employment
None at this time.