Faculty Research Assistant: Marine Mammal Institute-GEMM Lab

OSU Oregon State University; Newport (RI); Presencial; USD 32.000 - 54.000; A tiempo parcial

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Medical, Dental, Vision benefits

Tuition reduction programs

Paid leave and holidays

Retirement benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Descripción de la vacante

Oregon State University’s GEMM Lab in Newport seeks a Faculty Research Assistant to support the Marine Mammal Institute’s research activities. The role involves field operations, data management, and lab responsibilities within a collaborative team.

The position requires extensive experience with marine mammal observation, small-boat operations, and ecological data collection, including photo-ID and drone work.

Formación

• Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences with 2 years of significant research experience.
• Master’s degree in natural sciences.
• Experience as a marine mammal observer.
• Extensive experience driving small boats around cetaceans.
• Experience in ecological data collection including photo-ID, drone operations, suction-cup tagging, biopsy.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Experience using MS Access, ArcGIS, Matlab.
• Experience with R for data wrangling, analysis and visualization.
• Record of scientific publication as lead or co-author.

Responsabilidades

• Operate small boat around cetaceans for ecological data collection.
• Perform routine maintenance on research vessel, truck and trailer.
• Conduct marine mammal survey observations aboard helicopters and research vessels.
• Oversee equipment maintenance, storage and organization.
• Data management and sample storage/archiving.
• Process and organize photo-ID images.

Conocimientos

Marine mammal observer

Small boat operation

Data management

Communication

Team collaboration

Independent work

Vehicle operation

Educación

Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences

Master’s degree in natural sciences

Herramientas

Microsoft Access

ArcGIS

Matlab

R programming

Descripción del empleo

Job Summary

Department: Marine Mammal Institute. Starting salary will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience. 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
• 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

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.

Contract & Hours

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.

Salary

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

Start and End Date

Anticipated Start Date: 2026-11-02

Anticipated End Date: 2027-06-30

Benefits

• 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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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

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.

Background Checks

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].

University Facts

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