Faculty Research Assistant: Research Coordinator

OSU Oregon State University; Corvallis (OR); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life

Retirement savings

Paid leave (holidays, vacation, sick)

Tuition reduction

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

OSU Oregon State University is seeking a Faculty Research Assistant in the Department of Fisheries & Wildlife & Conservation Sciences. This full‑time, 12‑month, fixed‑term position supports a NOAA-funded project on socio-cultural impacts of Harmful Algal Blooms in the Puget Sound, WA and Southern California.

The role includes coordinating a diverse research team, data collection, and dissemination of outputs.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in environmental social sciences or related fields with social science research methods
• Proficiency with geospatial statistical analysis
• Ability to learn quantitative and qualitative analyses with some support
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Strong written and verbal communication and collaboration skills
• Commitment to inclusive excellence in environmental management

Responsibilities

• Coordinate a large NOAA-funded project with multiple PIs
• Develop research protocols and lead social-science data analysis in study areas
• Lead outputs including at least one peer-reviewed manuscript and user-focused products
• Mentor one MS student on independent research projects
• Support advisory group feedback and manage project timelines and deliverables
• Act as project manager coordinating research team and reporting progress

Skills

Geospatial analysis

Quantitative & qualitative methods

Project management

Communication

Education

Graduate degree in environmental social sciences

Tools

Statistical software

Cloud-based file sharing

Job description

Contact

For additional information please contact: Kelly Biedenweg [e-mail] 206-883-5612

Job Summary

The Department of Fisheries & Wildlife & Conservation Sciences 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 Conservation and Human Wellbeing Lab in the Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences Department seeks an interdisciplinary social science Faculty Research Assistant to coordinate a large project looking at Socio-Cultural impacts of Harmful Algal Blooms in the Puget Sound, WA and Southern California. This is a 3-year project funded by NOAA.

Key Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with three PIs based at different universities to identify and implement steps for meeting project goals.
• Develop research protocols, collect data and lead social‑scientific data analysis in the Puget Sound, Washington, including Hood Canal, Bellingham Bay, and Quartermaster Harbor.
• Lead outputs of project components, including at least one peer‑reviewed manuscript as well as more creative, user‑focused products.
• Mentor one MS student to complete independent research projects as part of the overall project.
• Facilitate and support an advisory group to provide feedback on project implementation and outputs.
• Act as project manager, organizing research team, providing work reports and managing project timelines and deliverables.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the position classification, project objectives, and evolving research needs as identified by the PIs in consultation with the project team.

Required Qualifications

• Graduate degree in environmental social sciences (geography, planning, psychology, anthropology, environmental studies, etc.) or related fields that included social scientific research methods, analyses, and products.
• Proficiency with geospatial statistical analysis.
• Proficiency in or capacity to quickly learn quantitative and qualitative analyses with some support (regressions, topic modeling, hierarchical clustering).
• Knowledge of best practices in social scientific research.
• Outstanding organizational and project management skills.
• Outstanding communication skills based in curiosity, self‑awareness, and collaboration.
• Computing skills, including statistical software & cloud‑based file sharing.
• Professional competence in coordinating and facilitating stakeholders and interdisciplinary science teams in a respectful and efficient manner.
• Demonstrated proficiency in professional writing.
• A demonstrable commitment to inclusive excellence in environmental management.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing a large research program with multiple researchers and sub‑projects.
• Experience mentoring student researchers.
• Demonstrated proficiency in writing peer‑reviewed manuscripts and/or accessible white papers, reports, and other forms of visualization to communicate the role of social science in conservation/restoration to diverse audiences.
• Experience with encounter surveys, focus groups, scientific interviewing, geographically‑weighted regressions, and/or the use of AI for large data analyses (e.g., topic modeling).

Working Conditions & Schedule

Full time Potential for hybrid. Must reside in Corvallis, OR or the Puget Sound, WA. Infrequent overnight travel for meetings, and occasional lengthier trips (up to 1 or 2 weeks) to oversee field work.

Salary Range

Salary is commensurate with skills, education and experience.

Anticipated Start & End Dates

Anticipated Start Date: 2026‑09‑07. 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 & Legal Requirements

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.

Applicants are required to self‑report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months. 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.

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: 541‑737‑3556, email: [e-mail], mail/location: 330 Snell Hall, Corvallis OR 97331, or visit EOA’s website: eoa.oregonstate.edu.

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