Biological Science Research Technician 2

OSU Oregon State University; Hermiston (OR); On-site; USD 51,750,000 - 75,074,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon State University invites applications for a full-time Biological Science Research Technician 2 at the Hermiston Experiment Station in Hermiston, Oregon. The role supports greenhouse and field potato research, executing crosses, variety trials, and data collection under supervision.

Qualified candidates will have college-level horticulture or agriculture coursework, extensive potato experience, and the ability to obtain ATV certification.

Qualifications

• Two years of college-level study in horticulture or agriculture with related experience at the Biological Research Technician 1 level or equivalent.
• Five or more years of potato planting/harvesting or potato breeding experience.
• Ability to obtain ATV certification within 30 days of hire and maintain it.
• Criminal history and motor vehicle checks as required by OSU policies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute greenhouse and field experiments.
• Conduct variety trials and perform crosses to select plant material.
• Monitor and maintain plants in greenhouse and field.
• Prepare and conduct potato trials harvesting and tuber evaluation.
• Oversee safety procedures for potato breeding program and data organization.
• Assist project leader with extension events such as Field Days and Workshops.
• Under supervision, plan field experiments from mapping to harvesting.

Skills

Potato planting/harvesting experience

Potato breeding experience

Teamwork

ATV certification

Education

Two years of college-level horticulture/agriculture courses

Equivalent training and experience

Job description

DEPARTMENT

Hermiston Experiment Station

JOB SUMMARY

This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time, Biological Science Research Technician 2 position for the Hermiston Experiment Station at Oregon State University (OSU). This position is located in Hermiston, Oregon.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Developing and executing greenhouse and field experiments;
• Conducting variety trials;
• Performing crosses and selecting plant material;
• Monitoring and maintaining plants in the greenhouse and in the field;
• Preparing and conducting potato trials harvesting;
• Performing potato sorting and tuber evaluation for quality purposes;
• Overseeing safety procedures from the potato breeding program team;
• Organizing data and assisting with research as needed;
• Maintain plants in the greenhouse.
• Planting, transplanting and fertilizing plants on pre-established schedule.
• Perform crosses between established clones.
• Under supervision, establish field experiments, including planning, mapping, planting, data collection, weed control and harvesting.
• Under supervision, perform tubers sorting and evaluation.
• Assist project leader with Extension events including Field Days, Workshops and Farm Tours.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two years of college-level courses in horticulture or any area of agriculture science and one year of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Research Technician 1 level; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• 5 or more years of experience working on potato planting and harvesting; OR 5 or more years of experience with potato breeding activities.
• Possess or ability to obtain an ATV certification within 30 days of hire and maintain while in the position.
• 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 University Standard: 05-010 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience working in the field and in a research environment.
• Prior experience working at an off-campus research station.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with teams.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain plants in the greenhouse and field.
• Demonstrated training and knowledge on safety guidelines.

WORKING CONDITIONS/SCHEDULE

This position requires extensive time spent working outside in weather conditions including hot summers and cold winters. Additionally, extensive time is spent in environments with high level of noise, either in the greenhouse, in the sorting shed or during harvest. Ability to walk on terrain that is uneven and irregular while carrying objects of weights more than 50lbs is common. Hazardous conditions may occur due to proximity to equipment or pesticides while performing duties. Appropriate PPE will be provided for applicable duties.

SALARY RANGE

$18.06 - $26.20

ANTICIPATED START DATE

2026-10-15

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Applications MUST be submitted prior to this deadline. Closing at 11:59 pm the night before the posted "end date".

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND DIVERSITY STATEMENTS

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. OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system.

CONTACT FOR PRE-EMPLOYMENT CHECKS

If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at [e-mail].

PROJECT AND ORGANIZATION FACTS

Top 1.4% university in the world

More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined

1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.

2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties

7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone

100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates

35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color

217k+ alumni worldwide

For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life.
• OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical care insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION POLICIES

At Oregon State University, no qualified person shall, solely by reason of disability, be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of, any program or activity operated by the University. If requested, OSU will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants in order to provide access to the application, interviewing and selection process. You are not required to note the presence of a disability on your application to receive an accommodation. Please request any reasonable accommodations for disability as early as possible in the application and search process. Requests may be directed to the hiring unit, or to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at [phone]. See Request an Accommodation Procedures for the OSU policy.

TITLE IX COMPLIANCE

Department of Labor Family and Medical Leave Act:

The university prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin (including ancestry and ethnicity), citizenship, marital or family status, pregnancy or related conditions, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status / service in the uniformed service, or any other status protected by law or OSU policy.

Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to OSU’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (...).

OSU’s Title IX Coordinator is the Executive Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA).

For information on OSU’s nondiscrimination policy and procedures, including how to report information about conduct that may constitute discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, contact EOA by phone: [phone], email: [e-mail], mail/location: 330 Snell Hall, Corvallis OR 97331, or visit EOA’s website: eoa.oregonstate.edu.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Know Your Rights Oregon Family Leave Act: Department of Labor Family and Medical Leave Act: