Faculty Research Assistant: Soil Pathogen Researcher (Internal Employment Opportunity)

OSU Oregon State University; Corvallis (OR); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life

OSU Total Rewards Package

Paid leave (holidays, vacation, sick)

Job summary

Oregon State University’s Department of Botany & Plant Pathology invites applications for a full-time, 12-month Faculty Research Assistant to work in the OSU Plant Clinic, developing molecular tests to detect plant pathogens from soil and water. The role includes training students, testing client samples, and contributing to manuscript preparation for peer‑reviewed publications.

The position requires a BS in plant pathology or closely related field, with preferred experience in pathogen testing

Qualifications

• BS in plant pathology or closely related field is required.
• Incumbents must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq.
• Incumbents must self-report convictions; those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

Responsibilities

• Develop new molecular tests to detect plant pathogens in soil and water.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation to publish the new methods in peer‑reviewed publications.
• Test client samples using newly developed methods.
• Train students in microbiology techniques and perform intake and pathogen testing for plant diagnostic samples.
• General lab maintenance (washing labware, autoclaving supplies, organizing records).

Skills

Lab techniques

Pathogen testing experience

Education

BS in plant pathology or closely related field

Job description

Job Summary

The Department of Botany & Plant Pathology 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 faculty research assistant will work in the OSU Plant Clinic to develop molecular tests to detect plant pathogens from soil and water. They will contribute to manuscript preparation to publish the new methods and apply the new method to test client samples.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop new molecular tests to detect plant pathogens in the soil and water.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation to publish the new methods in a peer‑reviewed publication.
• Test client samples using newly developed methods.
• Train students in microbiology techniques and perform intake and pathogen testing for plant diagnostic samples.
• General lab maintenance (washing labware, autoclaving supplies, and organizing records).

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• BS in plant pathology or closely related field.
• 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

• At least 1 year of experience performing pathogen testing in a plant diagnostic clinic.

Working Conditions / Schedule

This is an on‑site position working standard hours in a laboratory setting.

Salary Range

Salary is commensurate with skills, education and experience.

Anticipated Start Date

2027‑01‑04

Anticipated End Date

2027‑06‑30

Equal‑Opportunity and Diversity 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].

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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

Know Your Rights Oregon Family Leave Act: Department of Labor Family and Medical Leave Act:

Total Rewards Package

• 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.

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.

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

Executive Leadership

Treasurer Chief Budget Officer Senior VP of Finance & Administration and CFO AVP for Facilities & Infrastructure Chancellor and Dean for OSU-Cascades Dean, Lois Bates Acheson Dean of the Gary R. Carlson, MD, College of Veterinary Medicine Vice Provost for Ecampus Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Vice Provost for University Information and Technology Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job! Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem‑solvers and change‑makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep‑rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.