Student Technical Assistant – Curtin Lab

OSU Rec Sports - Sport. Leadership. Wellness.; Corvallis (OR); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 3,031,000; Part time

Job summary

Oregon State University invites applications for two part-time Student Technical Assistant positions in the Department of Food Science and Technology. The roles support fermentation research in the Curtin Laboratory, including lab work, data gathering and analysis, and collaboration.

Candidates should be enrolled as students (high school to university), able to work up to 24 hours per week, and possess interest in food fermentation, with strong English communication and teamwork skills.

Qualifications

• Interest in food/fermentation microbiology.
• Must communicate effectively in written and oral English.
• Ability to work as part of a team and promote teamwork.
• Criminal history check required; position is security-sensitive.

Responsibilities

• Research and outreach collaboration and related field work.
• Isolate yeast and bacteria from environmental samples and identify isolates by PCR and fermentation experiments.
• Perform routine laboratory work and assist in data collection and analysis.

Skills

Communication

Critical Thinking

Teamwork

Written English

Oral English

Education

Enrollment in high school/college/university

Job description

Department:

Food Science & Technology

Job Description:

This recruitment will be used to fill 2 part-time (maximum of 24 hours per week) Student Technical Assistant positions for the Department of Food Science and Technology at Oregon State University (OSU). Performs research work in support of fermentation projects in the Curtin Laboratory.

Position Duties

Position duties to be determined by the hiring unit, but may include routine laboratory work, data gathering and analysis and other duties as assigned.

• Research and outreach collaboration and related field work

• Research will involve isolating yeast and bacteria from environmental samples, identification of isolates by polymerase chain reaction and fermentation experiments

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, Critical Thinking, Teamwork, Technology

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

• 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.

Required

• Interest in food/fermentation microbiology

• The candidate must be able to communicate effectively in both written and oral English

• Candidate must be able to work as part of a team and show a willingness to promote teamwork

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 OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in Youth Programs may have additional Criminal History Checks every 2 years

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

Working Conditions/Schedule:

• May include evening and weekend hours.
• May require walking, standing, bending and stooping for extended periods.
• May require working with or around chemicals, caustic compounds, or hazardous materials used in research.

Anticipated Start Date:

2026-09-16

For additional information please contact: Chris Curtin at [e-mail]

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

Preferred:

• Demonstratable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity