Faculty Research Assistant: Assistant Potato Breeder

OSU Oregon State University; Hermiston (OR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon State University’s Hermiston Agricultural Research & Extension Center invites applications for a full-time Faculty Research Assistant to support the Potato Breeding program. The role includes field and greenhouse trials, data collection, and collaboration with growers, industry partners, and researchers in a dynamic agricultural setting.

Responsibilities span experiments, reporting, and outreach, with travel to stations and supervision of temporary staff.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Science, Horticulture or related field, or seven years of data gathering, analysis and reporting in field crop research.
• Experience operating farm or research-scale equipment.
• Ability to lift, carry and pull objects up to 50 pounds.
• Experience with field crop management and horticultural crops.
• Proficient with spreadsheets and word processing programs.

Responsibilities

• Field Experiments
• Greenhouse research
• Personal management for season and temporary employees
• Research data and publication
• Community service and outreach

Skills

Strong written and verbalcommunication

Independent work

Operate field equipment

Spreadsheet and word processing

Education

Bachelor of Science in Agronomy/C Crop Science/Horticulture or related field

Tools

MS Excel

Word processing software

Job description

Job Summary: The Hermiston Agricultural Research & Extension Center (HAREC) 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. The Assistant Potato Breeder is responsible for supporting Oregon State University’s Potato Breeding and Variety Development Program. This involves conducting greenhouse and field trials, performing crosses and evaluating experimental clones. The incumbent will also assist in the preparation of reports, grants and assist in extension events. This role will involve travel to other experimental stations and demands providing day-to-day direction to temporary employees and interaction with growers, industry partners and scientific audiences. The incumbent may prepare and present research materials and/or findings at professional meetings or in professional journals. This position requires driving a station vehicle to various field sites.

Key Responsibilities

• Field Experiments
• Greenhouse research
• Personal management for season and temporary employees
• Research data and publication
• Community service and outreach

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• BS degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Science, Horticulture or a related field or BS degree in unrelated field and 7 years gathering, analysis and reporting of data in field crop research.
• Experience in operating farm or research-scale equipment.
• Experience working with Horticultural crops.
• Ability to lift, carry and pull objects up to 50 pounds and, occasionally, objects weighing more.
• Experience in commercial or research field crop management.
• Experience with computer spreadsheet and word processing programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with others.
• Evidence of strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must possess or be able to obtain an Oregon Public Applicator’s License and demonstration/research pesticide applicator’s license within Three (3) months of employment and maintain throughout period of employment.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a farm endorsement within six (6) months of employment and maintain throughout the period of employment.
• 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

• Experience in potato or plant breeding.
• Experience in potato/vegetable production.
• Experience in molecular breeding and use of statistical and genetic tools.
• Experience towing trailers and hauling equipment.
• Experience in management of field crop production and research.
• Experience with field research techniques including plot design, maintenance and evaluation of field plots, seed processing, data collection and analysis and library research.

Working Conditions and Schedule

This position involves field, greenhouse, laboratory and office work. Work schedules can vary dramatically depending on seasonal needs. Work outside of an 8-5 workday is not uncommon especially in the spring for planting and during harvest in the fall. Field and greenhouse work can be under temperature extremes. Field work may involve exposure to dusty, allergen-laden conditions. Hard physical activity involving lifting, pushing, and pulling objects weighing up to 50 lbs., and on some occasions, more than 50 lbs. Will operate university vehicles such as tractors, agricultural machinery, passenger vehicles and forklifts. Enter restricted areas such as confined spaces, biological laboratories and construction sites. Performs agricultural chemical applications (fungicide, herbicide, pesticide). Respirator or dust mask and other required protective equipment used as necessary. This position is deemed essential, and the incumbent will be expected to report to work during inclement weather, emergency and other University work curtailments or closures.

Salary Range

Salary to commensurate with education, training and experience

Anticipated Start Date

2026-11-02

Anticipated End Date

2027-06-30

Equal Opportunity Statement

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

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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.

If this position has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities and/or driving duties and you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre‑employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre‑employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at [e-mail].

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

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Total Rewards Package

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life.
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• 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.
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