NWREC Blueberry Research Intern

Oregon State University

Oregon State University

Corvallis, OR, USA
USD 14.7-19 / hour
Posted on Mar 15, 2025
Position Information
Job Title NWREC Blueberry Research Intern
Appointment Type Student Employee
Job Location Aurora
Position Appointment Percent 100
Appointment Basis 12
Pay Method Hourly
Pay Period 16th - 15th of the following month
Pay Date Last working day of the month
Remote or Hybrid option?
Min Hourly Rate $14.70 (Standard); $13.70 (Non-Urban); $15.95 (Portland Metro)
Max Hourly Rate $19.00 (Standard); $18.50 (Non-Urban); $20.00 (Portland Metro)
Position Summary
This recruitment will be used to fill up to three (a maximum of 24 hours per week during school year/ 40 hours during school holidays and summer break) student intern position with the Blueberry Program at the OSU-North Willamette Research Center in Aurora, Or.
The student intern will assist ongoing research in blueberry production systems in Oregon who is among the leading states in commercial blueberry production. The blueberry extension and research program at the NWREC aims to meet grower needs by delivering high quality research-based extension program in harvesting technology, plant nutrition, blueberry rootstock development, and pest management.
The student intern will be supervised by the faculty and/or faculty research assistant to conduct machine harvest experiments in grower fields, including data collection as directed and follow a set protocol. The student will learn about blueberry production systems from growing, harvesting, and packing. There is opportunity to update website and publish summer research activities. In addition, the student intern will learn experimental data management for statistical analysis using SAS. Ability to work and interact well with diverse team members is important.
Travel to grower fields in the Willamette Valley to help setting up experiment and collecting data is expected.
Position Duties
80% Help conducting field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments, collecting data from machine harvester, packing plants, greenhouse plants, field grown plants under supervision.
20% Using research instruments (FirmTech, Titrator, pH meters, etc.) to collect fruit quality data under supervision.
Minimum Qualifications
Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: http://fa.oregonstate.edu/stu-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
Must be a current student at an accredited university or college studying for at least 6 academic credits, with good academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA).
Perform assigned tasks without close supervision
Capable of working outside and standing/walking for extended periods of time.
Ability to lift 25 lbs
Students who are under 18 years old are required to have passed a tractor safety certification class prior to operating a tractor.
Attention to detail
Maintain a positive and respectful attitude
Willingness to learn new technology skills
Preferred (Special) Qualifications
Experience working with plants in outdoors.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
The incumbent may be required to work outside during inclement weather or in grower fields and packing plants, depending upon the time of year and experiential protocol. Outside environment include agricultural settings far from conveniences.
Student employee for this position will be working full-time during the summer, but limited hours may also be available throughout the school year and during school breaks.