Faculty Research Assistant: Glider & Ocean Instrumentation Technician

OSU Oregon State University; Corvallis (OR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon State University, located in Corvallis, seeks two Faculty Research Assistants to support glider and ocean instrumentation work. The roles involve testing, installation, assembly, and refurbishment of sensors and autonomous platforms, with data processing and dissemination to data centers.

You will join a team of researchers and technicians conducting oceanic research and monitoring, including sea time and field campaigns, under NSF OO I collaborations, with opportunities for professional

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in oceanography, marine science, natural science, engineering, computer science or related field.
• Experience in Windows or LINUX/UNIX environments.
• Experience with high-level scientific data analysis (e.g., Python, Matlab).
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment with diverse groups of researchers, staff, and students.
• Hands-on troubleshooting and problems resolution experience.
• Demonstrated written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to work at sea and travel for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Testing and installation of oceanographic sensors on research platforms.
• Assembly and testing of oceanographic research platforms (e.g., autonomous gliders, moorings).
• Data processing, quality control, and dissemination to data centers.
• Computer systems administration and software upgrades.
• Sea deployment and recovery of platforms; travel for field campaigns.

Skills

Windows/Linux environments

Data analysis (Python/Matlab)

Team collaboration

Troubleshooting

Communication skills

Sea duty

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in oceanography / marine science / related field

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Linux/UNIX

Python

Matlab

Job description

Job Summary

The College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences invites applications for two full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Faculty Research Assistant: Glider & Ocean Instrumentation Technician positions. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Dean.

Key Responsibilities

The FRA will split time across projects that include: testing and installation of oceanographic sensors (e.g., temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, broadband acoustics) on research platforms assembly and testing of oceanographic research platforms (e.g., autonomous underwater gliders, moorings, over-the-side profiling instruments) ground transportation of research equipment at-sea deployment and recovery of oceanographic research platforms refurbishment of oceanographic research components data processing, quality control, and dissemination computer system administration (e.g., software upgrades, maintenance) Oregon State University (OSU) conducts oceanographic research and monitoring off the Pacific Northwest and globally. This research involves a variety of sensors and platforms, including autonomous underwater vehicles, ship-based profiling, and moorings.

OSU is a partner on a large-scale multi-year federally funded project called the National Science Foundation (NSF) Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) and operates OOI’s Coastal Endurance Array off the coast of Oregon and Washington. Ocean measurements from these programs are made available in near real time to national data centers and other ocean users. This Faculty Research Assistant will collaborate with a team of researchers, oceanographers and technicians to assemble, deploy, recover, and refurbish platforms and instruments used for oceanographic research and monitoring. Working with this same team, the FRA will be responsible for data processing, data quality assurance and quality control, computer systems administration, and delivery of documented data to national oceanographic data centers and other ocean users.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in oceanography, marine science, natural science, engineering, computer science or related field.
• Experience in Windows or LINUX/UNIX environments.
• Experience with high-level scientific data analysis (e.g., Python, Matlab).
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment with diverse groups of researchers, staff, and students.
• Hands-on troubleshooting and problems resolution experience.
• Demonstrated written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to work at sea.
• Ability to travel for extended periods.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and aptitude with electrical and mechanical systems.
• Master’s degree in science, engineering, earth system sciences, physical oceanography, or related field.
• Experience with, and knowledge of, the principles of and operation of oceanographic sensors.
• At least two years’ experience preparing, deploying, recovering, and maintaining oceanographic research instrumentation.
• Experience preparing, deploying, recovering, and maintaining underwater gliders.
• Certificate in ocean observing systems or similar field.
• Boat skills from experience on research, commercial, or recreational vessels.
• Experience with command line interfaces and Linux systems administration concepts.

Working Conditions/Schedule

Most work will be done in a laboratory in Corvallis.

• This person will have a supervisor, who will apportion their time. This person will work for multiple investigators on multiple projects as assigned by their supervisor.
• This is a salaried position, not an hourly position.
• Working conditions involve a mix of working at a desk in an office, standing in a laboratory, working outside. This person will need to be able to lift up to 50 lbs. and to learn how to use lifting equipment such as driving a forklift.
• Work includes up to 50 days a year at sea plus associated travel. Sea time includes day trips up to field campaigns that last up to a month. See https://research.oregonstate.edu/osraa/rates for information about sea pay.

Job Dates

Anticipated Start Date: 2026-11-04 Anticipated End Date: 2027-06-30

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

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. 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].

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.

Oregon State University, in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, including Title IX and its regulations, does not unlawfully discriminate and prohibits discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, including in academic admissions and employment. 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 (link to https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr), or both. 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.

Total Rewards Package

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including: 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. Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.

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

Locations

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport. Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

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