Faculty Research Assistant: State Fisheries Genomics Lab

OSU Oregon State University; Newport (RI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid leave

Tuition reduction

Job summary

State Fisheries Genomics Lab (SFGL) at Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Faculty Research Assistant position. The incumbent will work with a team of researchers addressing science and management needs for COMES and ODFW.

The candidate will perform sample processing, data analysis, laboratory management, and student mentoring while maintaining data integrity and compliant, safe lab

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, genetics, or related field.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques including DNA extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction, electrophoresis, primer design, DNA sequencing, and microsatellite analysis.
• Familiarity with the collection, organization, and statistical analysis of data.
• Excellent communication skills and competency to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• High attention to detail, organization, and record keeping.
• 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Sample processing and data analysis
• Administrative duties and laboratory management
• General data management
• Student training and mentoring
• Outreach Service Team production of genetic/genomic data
• Maintaining an efficient and productive laboratory

Skills

Molecular biology techniques

DNA extraction

PCR

DNA sequencing

Microsatellite analysis

Data analysis

Statistical analysis

Communication skills

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology/genetics

Master's degree in biology/genetics

Tools

Cervus

COLONY

STRUCTURE

ONCOR

Rubias

R

Python

Perl

Job description

Job Summary

State Fisheries Genomics Lab (SFGL) located at Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) in Newport, Oregon 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 incumbent will work with a team of researchers in the SFGL to address the science and management needs of OSU’s Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station (COMES) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).

Key Responsibilities

• Sample processing and data analysis
• Administrative duties and laboratory management
• General data management
• Student training and mentoring
• Outreach Service Team production of genetic/genomic data
• Maintaining an efficient and productive laboratory

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, genetics, or related field.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques including DNA extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction, electrophoresis, primer design, DNA sequencing, and microsatellite analysis.
• Familiarity with the collection, organization, and statistical analysis of data.
• Excellent communication skills and competency to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• High attention to detail, organization, and record keeping.
• 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.
• 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

• Master’s degree in biology, genetics, or related field.
• Strong background in genetics with at least two years of experience working in a molecular genetics laboratory.
• Experience with a variety of sequencing methodologies including genotyping-in-thousands by sequencing (GT-seq), genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), and restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq).
• Experience conducting genetic parentage analysis and with associated programs (e.g., Cervus, COLONY, etc.).
• Experience conducting population genetic analyses and with associated programs (e.g., STRUCTURE, ONCOR, Rubias, etc.).
• A background in bioinformatics and experience programming (e.g., R, Perl, Python, etc.).
• Experience with high-performance computing clusters, software, and workload management systems (e.g., Linux, SLURM, SGE, etc.).
• A strong background in statistical analyses including generalized linear mixed models (GLMM).
• Experience writing scientific documents, such as technical reports and peer-reviewed papers.

Eligibility & Compliance

• 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.
• 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.

Working Conditions/Schedule

• May be required to lift, carry, push, and pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time.

Salary

Salary Range: Salary is commensurate with skills, education and experience.

Start and End Dates

Anticipated Start Date: 2026-12-01 Anticipated End Date: 2027-06-30

Location

State Fisheries Genomics Lab (SFGL) located at Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) in Newport, Oregon.

Total Rewards Package

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 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.

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

Equal Opportunity Statements

The candidate will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

This position will contribute to programs ensuring that all people have equal employment opportunities and equal program participation opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or veteran’s 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.