Faculty Research Assistant: Marine Mammal Institute-GEMM Lab

Oregon State University; Newport (RI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

The Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University in Newport, OR invites applications for a part-time (0.60 FTE), 12‑month fixed-term Faculty Research Assistant to support field operations, lab management, and multiple research activities in the GEMM Lab.

Responsibilities include operating small boats around cetaceans, maintaining equipment and vehicles, conducting marine mammal surveys from vessels and helicopters, managing data and samples, and organizing photo-ID imagery in a

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences with 2 years’ significant research experience.
• Experience as a marine mammal observer.
• Extensive experience as a small boat driver around cetaceans.
• Experience in ecological data collection, including cetacean photo-ID, behavioral observations, prey sampling, drone operations, suction‑cup tagging, biopsy.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Clear, honest communication skills.
• Ability to work on collaborative projects with a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to work independently and creatively within a team environment and maintain a constructive and positive research culture.

Responsibilities

• Operate small boat (e.g., RHIB, Zodiac) around cetaceans for ecological data collection.
• Perform routine maintenance tasks on research vessel, truck, and trailer, and coordinates specialized maintenance and repairs as needed.
• Conduct marine mammal survey observations aboard US Coast Guard helicopters and mid-size and large research vessels.
• Oversight of equipment (cameras, drones, sensors, etc.) maintenance, storage, organization.
• Data management and sample storage/archiving.
• Process and organize photo-ID images.

Skills

Marine mammal observer

Small boat operation

Data management

Photo-ID analysis

Research coordination

Independent work

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Access

ArcGIS

Matlab

R programming

Job description

Important Notifications:

Application Deadline: When applying, please keep in mind this posting will close at 11:59 pm the night before the posted "end date". Applications MUST be submitted prior to this deadline.

Current Employees: Do not apply via the OSU Career site. Instead, please login to your regular Workday account and visit the Jobs Hub to apply.

# Department:
Marine Mammal Institute

Special Instructions to Applicants:

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) A resume/CV; and

2) A cover letter detailing qualifications and experience.

Starting salary will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

For additional information please contact:

Leigh Torres

[e-mail]

Job Summary:

The Marine Mammal Institute invites applications for an hourly or salaried part‑time (0.60 FTE), 12‑month, fixed‑term Faculty Research Assistant position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head.

I am seeking a Faculty Research Assistant to work in my research lab (The GEMM Lab) within the Marine Mammal Institute at Oregon State University based in Newport, Oregon https://mmi.oregonstate.edu/gemm-lab . This position will support multiple aspects of research activities, field operations, and lab management.

Key Responsibilities:

• - Operate small boat (e.g., RHIB, Zodiac) around cetaceans for ecological data collection
• - Perform routine maintenance tasks on research vessel, truck, and trailer, and coordinates specialized maintenance and repairs as needed
• - Conduct marine mammal survey observations aboard US Coast Guard helicopters and mid-size and large research vessels
• - Oversight of equipment (cameras, drones, sensors, etc.) maintenance, storage, organization
• - Data management and sample storage/archiving
• - Process and organize photo-ID images

Qualifications:

• - A bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences with 2 years’ significant research experience
• - Experience as a marine mammal observer
• - Extensive experience as a small boat driver around cetaceans
• - Experience in ecological data collection, including cetacean photo-ID, behavioral observations, prey sampling, drone operations, suction‑cup tagging, biopsy
• - Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• - Clear, honest communication skills
• - Ability to work on collaborative projects with a multidisciplinary team
• - Ability to work independently and creatively within a team environment and maintain a constructive and positive research culture.

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:

• - A Master’s degree in the natural sciences
• - Experience using Microsoft Access, ArcGIS, and/or Matlab
• - Experience using R programming for data wrangling, organization, and visualization and statistical analysis.
• - Record of scientific publication as lead or co-author
• - Experience conducting photo-ID analysis of cetaceans.
• - Demonstrated success of working on several concurrent projects and adapting to shifting priorities and deadlines.

Working Conditions/Schedule:

This position must be able to work regularly in outdoor environments, including on boats in marine environments. Incumbent must be able to lift heavy objects (>30lbs). Occasional travel and driving for remote fieldwork is expected. Incumbent must have ability and willingness to work occasional long days in the field when the weather is right, which may include weekends and holidays.

Salary Range:

Starting salary will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

Anticipated Start Date:

2026-11-02

Anticipated End Date:

2027-06-30

When applying, please keep in mind this posting will close at 11:59 pm the night before the posted "end date". Applications MUST be submitted prior to this deadline.

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] .