Open Positions

Student Employment

Technical Assistant - Raco/LeBoldus

This recruitment will be used to fill two part-time (a maximum of 24 hours per week) Lab Assistant for the Ag Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University (OSU).

The Department of Botany and Plant Pathology LeBoldus laboratory is seeking dependable students to work as laboratory assistants in the field of plant pathology and molecular biology. Lab Assistant will be working on projects related to viruses in plant pathogens.

Duties include preparing media for culturing, centrifugation, DNA/RNA quantification, gel electrophoresis, arrays, data entry, conducting research activities in the lab, and in the greenhouse, dishwashing and lab maintenance. The students may assist lab personnel with research projects including isolation of nucleic acids (DNA/RNA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), synthesis of complementary DNA (cDNA) from RNA, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and other molecular biology techniques, depending on the students’ ability to meet/exceed the expectations of this position.

The successful applicants must be able to follow instructions, be comfortable with basic chemistry (calculating molarity, dilutions, and converting between units), be familiar with basic techniques used in molecular biology (isolation of nucleic acids, PCR and gel electrophoresis), and be willing to commit at least 12-16 hours (max. 24 hours) a week during the 9 month academic year and up to 40 hours a week during the summer. This position includes some weekend watering duties.

Responsibilities:

• 40% Molecular biology: Gel electrophoresis, DNA/RNA extraction and quantification, PCR, cDNA
• 30% Making solutions and media
• 10% Data entry
• 10% Maintenance of plants in growth chambers and greenhouses
• 10% General laboratory upkeep and dishwashing

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 Requirements:

• Undergraduate student majoring in Botany, Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology or closely related subject
• Ability to follow written and/or verbal instructions
• Familiarity with basic chemistry (molarity, dilutions, unit conversion, etc), and basic molecular biology techniques (DNA/RNA extraction, electrophoresis, PCR)
• Ability to work independently after receiving training

Successful applicants must be comfortable working in a research lab. Use of an autoclave is required. Proper protective equipment and training will be provided. This position requires 12-24 hours per week during the school year, with the potential for hours in the summer. Work hours are flexible during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.

Preferred:

• Well-organized and attentive to detail. 
• Strong work ethic.
• Demonstrated excellence in academic coursework.
• Interest in virology.

Anticipated to begin on April 15th, 2024.

Closing on April 30th, 2024.

More Info

 

---

Lab Assistant -  Zuzana/Fowler

This recruitment will be used to fill one part-time (a maximum of 24 hours per week) BPP Lab Assistant position for Botany and Plant Pathology (BPP) at Oregon State University (OSU).

Assistance with projects in a plant cell and molecular genetics/biology laboratory. Our lab uses maize (corn) as an experimental model. We grow corn for sampling, controlled pollinations and various experiments in a greenhouse through the year as well as at Botany and Plant Pathology (BPP) field in the summer. In the fall, main work duty is careful and extensive hand harvest of corn takes place at the BPP Field (about 1.5 miles from campus).

General tasks and duties are to support the running of the laboratory and the field site: washing dishes, making stock solutions and biological media, sterilizing/autoclaving labware and stock solutions, lab areas clean up, etc.

More specific tasks include: plant tissue sampling, DNA extractions, PCR genotyping, plant care, planting and/or transplanting, pollinations and crossing, pollen collections, harvest of corn ears in the fall, corn ear imaging, seed screening and counting, organizing and filing maize ears and seeds, data entry (Google sheets, Excel etc). Employee will also assist in the imaging of pollen samples from corn plants, as well as collection of pollen samples, under guidance from graduate student Harrison Bell.

This position requires good organizational skills, ability to follow established protocols, able to lift up to 40 lbs., transportation to the field site (bike, car, bus and walk), clear communication, some basic science background and dedication.

Responsibilities:

• Depends on the season/term of the year.
• The following is an approximate breakdown percentages change based on the time of the year/season:
  • Laboratory duties: 50%
  • Plant care and field work: 50%.

• For specific tasks, see description in Position Summary.

   

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.

• Basic knowledge of chemistry, biology (calculating molarity, concentrations, solution preparation).
• Good organizational skills.
• Good work ethics, clear communication, ability to follow directions and work with others, as well as independently.
• Ability to work in the field, exposed to weather elements.

Preferred:

• Some experience in laboratory setting, knowledge of aseptic techniques.
• Experience with chemical solutions (e.g., making dilutions), experience with pipetting /micropipetting.
• Excel, Google sheets proficiency.

Anticipated to begin on April 2nd, 2024.

Closing on April 26th, 2024.

More Info

 

---

Faculty/Staff Employment

Instructor Pool - 2023/2024

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 2023-2024 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 27 tenured and tenure-tracked faculty, 38 faculty research assistants/associates, 5 administrative staff members, 34 graduate students advised by BPP faculty, 93 undergraduate majors, 203 distance ed undergraduates and 27 courtesy/adjunct appointments. The Department offers a B.S. in Botany; M.S., and Ph.D. are in Botany & 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.
  • 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:

• 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, 2023.

Closing on June 15th, 2024.

More Info

 

---

 

Instructor Pool - 2023/2024: 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 2023-2024 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 27 tenured and tenure-tracked faculty, 38 faculty research assistants/associates, 5 administrative staff members, 34 graduate students advised by BPP faculty, 93 undergraduate majors, 203 distance ed undergraduates and 27 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, 2023.

Closing on June 15th, 2024.

More Info

 

---

Temporary Employment

Temporary Biological Sciences Research Technician 1

This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Temporary Biological Sciences Research Technician 1 position for the Department of Botany & Plant Pathology at Oregon State University (OSU).

The position is located on OSU campus as well as a nearby field site, which requires driving to the field location every day (Monday-Friday).

The project is to establish a poplar field plantation site to use in future research studies. The incumbent will help with planting and maintaining the field plot in the spring and summer of 2024. This will include mowing, weeding, and irrigating the 7-acre field site.

The incumbent will also be required to water and maintain trees in the greenhouse every day (Monday-Friday). This will include fertilizing, pruning, cleaning, and planting.

The incumbent will also have the opportunity to help other lab members with plant pathology experiments in the greenhouse.

Responsibilities:

 

• 50% Mowing, weeding, and maintenance of the newly established tree plantation. This includes driving a tractor and working with irrigation lines.
• 40% Greenhouse watering and general maintenance of greenhouse plants. This includes fertilizing, pruning, planting of trees in the greenhouse.
• 10% Assisting with data collection and greenhouse experiments

Requirements:

• Experience working with trees or plants in a greenhouse or field setting
• Experience mowing or using a tractor
• Ability to follow directions and make independent decisions regarding field and greenhouse maintenance
• Commitment to safety, quality of work, and professionalism

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

Preferred:

• 2 years of college coursework in wildlife biology, natural resources, or related field or equivalent combination of training and experience
• Experience working independently with trees in the field or greenhouse
• Proficiency working with tractors and irrigation equipment
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently
• A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity

Anticipated to begin on April 15th, 2024.

Closing on April 22nd, 2024.

More Info