CoF Mentored Employment Program (Student Technical Assistant Pool 2026-27)

Oregon State University; Corvallis (OR); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR seeks Undergraduate Student Technical Assistants to support College of Forestry research and administration. Roles include lab work, data collection, and field tasks, with up to 24 hours per week during academic terms and more during breaks.

The Mentored Employment Program (MEP) and Summer Undergraduate Graduate Assisted Research (SUGAR) provide mentorship and hands-on experience alongside faculty mentors and graduate students.

Qualifications

• 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
• 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 USCIS

Responsibilities

• Meet regularly with mentor/supervisor to discuss project progress, research findings, and topics related to academic, personal, and professional development
• Conduct laboratory work, including preparing samples, performing tests and evaluations, and documenting results accurately
• Analyze research data using appropriate tools and methods to identify patterns, trends, or outcomes relevant to the project
• Assist with report writing, documentation, or formal reports as needed
• Enter and manage data in spreadsheets, databases, or specialized software with attention to accuracy and consistency
• Collect and process field data and samples, which may involve outdoor work in various environmental conditions
• Clean and perform maintenance of research and lab equipment
• Operate specialized research equipment to ensure safety, functionality, and readiness for use
• Drive OSU Motor Pool, personal, or university-owned vehicles as needed for fieldwork or research-related travel
• Demonstrated self-motivation and ability to complete tasks independently
• Students whose backgrounds contribute to the diversity and inclusivity of the campus community
• Relevant coursework or prior experience related to the specific research project, or field work

Job description

Department:

College of Forestry

Special Instructions to Applicants:

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents: A Resume A Cover Letter

For additional information please contact: Brooke Harrington @ [e-mail]

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

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.

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:

The Undergraduate Student Technical Assistant performs routine to complex technical tasks in support of research or administrative work which includes laboratory, green house, field plot, data collection, simple analysis, or the care and maintenance of animals.

This recruitment will be used to fill future part-time (maximum of 24 hours per week during academic terms and up to 40 hours per week during term breaks) Student Technical Assistant positions as needed with the Mentored Employment Program and SUGAR program in the College of Forestry (CoF) at Oregon State University (OSU).

The Mentored Employment Program (MEP) provides opportunities for College of Forestry (CoF) undergraduate students to engage in research, project-based, and field work alongside CoF faculty mentors.

The Summer Undergraduate Graduate Assisted Research (SUGAR) program offers CoF undergraduates the chance to collaborate with graduate students and faculty on research and thesis-related projects during summer term.

Both programs emphasize a strong mentorship component, fostering academic and professional development through guided, hands-on experience.

The nature of the work will vary depending on the specific project (students are encouraged to review individual project descriptions). Weekly hours will be determined based on the needs of the project and the availability of both the student and faculty mentor but will not exceed 24 hours per week during the academic year.

Position Duties:

• Meet regularly with mentor/supervisor to discuss project progress, research findings, and topics related to academic, personal, and professional development.
• Conduct laboratory work, including preparing samples, performing tests and evaluations, and documenting results accurately.
• Analyze research data using appropriate tools and methods to identify patterns, trends, or outcomes relevant to the project.
• Assist with report writing, documentation, or formal reports as needed.
• Enter and manage data in spreadsheets, databases, or specialized software with attention to accuracy and consistency.
• Collect and process fi eld data and samples, which may involve outdoor work in various environmental conditions.
• Clean and perform maintenance of research and lab equipment.
• Operate specialized research equipment to ensure safety, functionality, and readiness for use.
• Clean and maintain research and laboratory equipment to ensure safety, functionality, and readiness for use.
• Drive OSU Motor Pool, personal, or university-owned vehicles as needed for fieldwork or research-related travel (with appropriate authorization and training).
• Demonstrated self-motivation and ability to complete tasks independently.
• Students whose backgrounds contribute to the diversity and inclusivity of the campus community.
• Relevant coursework or prior experience related to the specific research project, or fi eld work.
• Minimum 2.5 GPA.

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 the Office of International Services ( OIS ), and mu