Student Research Technician

OSU Oregon State University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Malheur Experiment Station at Oregon State University in Ontario, Oregon seeks a student research technician for a part-time role (max 24 hours/week). You will collect soil, plant, and water samples, perform routine lab testing, monitor crop health, and assist with irrigation system setup.

This position emphasizes hands-on field and lab work, data entry in Excel, and skill development in critical thinking, teamwork, technology, and career readiness.

Qualifications

• Must be academically enrolled in a high school, community college, or university and pursuing a program or course of study.
• USCIS full-time enrollment standards may apply for eligibility.
• Strong willingness to work outdoors and operate university vehicles if required.

Responsibilities

• Collect soil, plant, and water samples for laboratory analysis.
• Perform routine lab testing and analysis on collected samples.
• Conduct field inspections to monitor crop health and growth.
• Field scouting for weeds and pests.
• Implement and monitor irrigation systems.
• Data entry in Excel and other programs.

Skills

Critical Thinking

Teamwork

Technology

Career & Self Development

Education

Current student enrollment (HS/CC/University)

Tools

Excel

Job description

Malheur Experiment Station

Department: Malheur Experiment Station

Job Description

This recruitment will be used to fill 1 part-time (a maximum of 24 hours per week) student position for the Malheur Experiment Station at Oregon State University (OSU). The Malheur Experiment Station is located in Ontario, OR. The student research technician performs routine to complex technical or specialized tasks in support of research and farm operations. Malheur Experiment Station will be conducting several different research projects related to soil fertility and irrigation management of row crops.

Position Duties

• Collect soil, plant, and water samples for laboratory analysis
• Perform routine lab testing and analysis on collected soil and plant samples
• Conduct field inspections to monitor crop health and growth
• Field scouting for weeds and pests
• Implement and monitor irrigation systems
• Data entry in Excel and other programs

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: Critical Thinking, Teamwork, Technology, Career & Self Development

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. Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: https://hr.oregonstate.edu/student-employment-manual/500-employment-eligibility-requirements Required Willingness to work outdoors. 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 Voluntary and Compulsory Driver Standards OSU Standard 125-155-0200) as per OSU Standard 576-056-0000 et seq.

Requirements

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. Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: https://hr.oregonstate.edu/student-employment-manual/500-employment-eligibility-requirements Required Willingness to work outdoors. 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 Voluntary and Compulsory Driver Standards OSU Standard 125-155-0200) as per OSU Standard 576-056-0000 et seq.

Working Conditions/Schedule

Malheur Experiment Station (MES) is located in Ontario, OR. MES is a farm environment. The incumbent will be working both indoors and outdoors in fields.

Company Culture & About OSU

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.

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

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.

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.

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 [phone]. 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: [phone], 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.