Technical Student Assistant - OPEnS Lab

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

Job summary

OSU Oregon State University is seeking part-time Technical Student Assistants for the OPEnS Lab in Corvallis. Undergraduates will work in a makerspace to develop sensing technologies for environmental research, using 3D printers, microcontrollers and IoT tech.

Time commitment negotiable with a minimum of 10 hours per week. Positions involve producing and testing hardware and software prototypes under supervision, with duties split between lab work and field testing of sensor systems.

Qualifications

• High level of organization
• Strong communication skills
• Quantitative engineering aptitude

Responsibilities

• Produce and test prototypes of hardware and software.
• Undertake construction of sensing systems under the guidance of Lab Director.

Skills

Organization

Communication

Quantitative

Job description

Technical Student Assistant – OPEnS Lab (Part‑time)

This recruitment will be used to fill several part‑time (a maximum of 24 hours per week) Technical Student Assistant - OPEnS Lab positions for the Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering at Oregon State University (OSU). The OPEnS Lab seeks undergraduate students to work in a hands‑on technology rich makerspace to produce next generation sensing technologies for environmental research.

Join a team from a range of majors including Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Industrial, Ecological, Applied Physics, and CBEE. OPEnS staff will use 3D printers, microcontrollers, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to conduct technical research and development to produce and test new instrumentation.

Time commitment per week is negotiable with a minimum of 10 hours per week. OPEnS technical staff will produce and test prototypes of the hardware and software. They will be expected to undertake the construction of their sensing systems under the guidance of Lab Director Dr. Udell. All logistical problems, safety issues, and material needs will be reported to Dr. Udell to be resolved.

Position Duties

85% Lab technician 15% Lab and field testing of sensor systems

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, Professionalism, 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.


• Required Qualifications: High level of organization Communication skills Quantitative engineering aptitude


• 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.


• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Soldering experience Arduino IDE and hardware Knowledge of various sensors, Circuits, CAD for 3D printing, wireless communication protocols, networks, and hardware Electronics prototyping Experience building, designing, or programming in a collaborative environment or team

Working Conditions/Schedule

Lab and field setting, depending on project

Anticipated Start Date

2026-10-28

Work Locations

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.

Equal Opportunity and Compliance

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.

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: