Lab Assistant

Oregon State University; Corvallis (OR); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Oregon State University is seeking a part-time Lab Research Assistant in the Crop and Soil Science department. The Undergraduate Student Technical Assistant will support research activities, handle data collection, sample preparation and basic analyses in a lab, greenhouse, and field settings.

The role involves collaborating with faculty and graduate students, operating instrumentation, and assisting with reporting and website updates.

Qualifications

• Must be academically enrolled in a high school, community college, or university and pursuing a program or course of study.
• Must meet Academic Standing Requirements; students on academic suspension are not eligible for employment.
• Must meet the applicable minimal enrollment standard.
• Undergraduate student: 6 credit hours per term
• Graduate student: 5 credit hours per term
• Graduate international student: 9 credit hours per term
• International students may be allowed to carry fewer hours than specified above and still be considered "full-time" by USCIS.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the PI, Faculty Research Assistant and graduate students on initiating research trials, observations, measurements, sample collection and data entry into spreadsheets.
• Operate research instrumentation and aid in preparing samples for analyses; assist with harvesting processes and maintaining lab procedures.
• Assist in creating and evaluating reports, updating websites and databases, and supporting student submissions with attention to detail.
• Handle materials physically, including bags or containers of potatoes up to 50 lbs.

Skills

Data entry

Excel

Laboratory techniques

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Education

Enrollment in high school/college/university

Full-time student status

Tools

Excel

Job description

Job Description

This recruitment will be used to fill two part-time (a maximum of 24 hours per week) Lab Assistant for the Crop and Soil Science department at Oregon State University (OSU).

The Specialty Crops Lab seeks a motivated Lab Research Assistant in the discipline of Industrial Crops.

The Undergraduate Student Technical Assistant performs routine to complex technical tasks in support of research or administrative work which includes laboratory, green house, field plot, data collection, simple analysis, or the care and maintenance of animals.

Position Duties

The applicant will collaborate with the PI, a Faculty Research Assistant and graduate students in a multifaceted role encompassing a range of research activities. Responsibilities include initiating research trials, conducting observations, taking accurate measurements, collecting and processing samples, help with harvesting processes, and preparing samples for diverse analytical procedures.

They will also operate research instrumentation, enter data into Excel spreadsheets, and aid in website updates. Beyond these, the applicant will contribute to the creation and evaluation of reports, including assessing student submissions. A keen attention to detail is vital for this role, as it entails performing varied analyses and working seamlessly within a team to bolster ongoing research projects. Additionally, the role might involve managing bags or containers of potatoes weighing up to 50 lbs.

• 60% - Collaborate with and assist the PI, Faculty Research Assistant and graduate students on a range of tasks including: Project initiation, conducting observations, taking precise measurements, collecting and processing samples and systematically entering data into spreadsheets.
• 30% - Play a pivotal role in the lab by assisting with primary laboratory procedures and analyses. Cleaning and maintaining glassware.
• 10% - Support the Faculty Research Assistant and graduate students in acquiring and preparing samples for forthcoming experiments. Additionally, aid in the evaluation and revision of reports, overseeing student submissions, and updating both websites and databases.

Transferable Skill Development

OSU is committed to ensuring students are prepared for success after graduation through intentional skill development as student employees. The competencies students develop while working at OSU are defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as the essential skills employers seek in their hires. In this position, students learn and build vital career-readiness skills in the primary areas below:

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Professionalism

Qualifications

Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: https://hr.oregonstate.edu/student-employment-manual/500-employment-eligibility-requirements

• Must be academically enrolled in a high school, community college, or university and pursuing a program or course of study
• Must meet Academic Standing Requirements; students on academic suspension are not eligible for employment
• Must meet the applicable minimal enrollment standard
• High School student: Regularly enrolled in a high school or participating in a home-schooling program
• Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate student: 6 credit hours per term
• Undergraduate international student: 12 credit hours per term*
• Graduate student officially admitted to Graduate School: 5 credit hours per term
• Graduate international student officially admitted to Graduate School: 9 credit hours per term*
• *International students may be allowed to carry fewer hours than specified above and still be considered "full-time" by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS ). A reduced course load is approved by the Office of International Services ( OIS ), and must be provided to the Student Employment Center.

Additional Required Qualifications: This position requires driving a University vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the University;

Other Information

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.

Note: All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval