Assistant Professor Senior Research (Internal Employment Opportunity)

Oregon State University

Oregon State University

Posted on Aug 22, 2025
Position Information
Department Acad Prog / Student Aff (LCB)
Position Title Assistant Professor (Sr Res)
Job Title Assistant Professor Senior Research (Internal Employment Opportunity)
Appointment Type Academic Faculty
Job Location Bend
Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible
Remote or Hybrid option?
Job Summary
This is an Internal Employment Opportunity

The OSU-Cascades in Bend, Oregon, invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 9-month, fixed-term Assistant Professor Senior Research position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Dean.

The responsibilities of this Research Assistant Professor at OSU-Cascades will be to develop and lead a research program and participate in scholarly activities including designing and conducting research projects and writing papers for peer reviewed journals; to contribute to the educational mission of the campus through teaching classes, curriculum development, and mentoring student research projects at the undergraduate and/or graduate level; serving on departmental, college, and University committees; and providing professional and community service.

The research component of this position will be funded externally through successful competition for grants and through contract funding with state, private or federal agencies. The teaching component of this position will be funded by OSU-Cascades academic budgets according to the programs taught. The incumbent must be eligible and able to secure 50% or more of salary support from external gifts, grants, or contracts.

The disciplinary focus will be in the field of Rangeland Sustainability with an emphasis on carbon cycling and the wider relationship to the sustainability strategic pillar at OSU-Cascades. It is expected that teaching and mentoring assignments will span both the Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences programs within OSU-Cascades and integrate experiential learning, career preparation, and professional networking opportunities for undergraduate students, in particular in the areas of environmental assessment, monitoring, and compliance.

Cooperation with OSU faculty both at Cascades and the greater OSU community is important. Research mentoring of undergraduate students at OSU-Cascades campus is expected and interaction with graduate students and other research faculty in mentoring and in research collaborations throughout OSU is encouraged.

The position will be located at OSU-Cascades and will advance the land-grant mission of Oregon State University as a university focused on big discoveries that drive big solutions and directly serve OSU-Cascades’ mission including building research supports that enhance student learning. This position will be a unique and highly impactful bridge between undergraduate educational experiences, state and national level rangeland management and policy, and nationally recognized research programs building upon to the unique opportunities of OSU-Cascades as a central hub campus supporting OSU strategic goals.
Why OSU?
Why OSU-Cascades?

Founded in 2001, Oregon State University – Cascades brings higher education to Central Oregon while leveraging the excellence of a land grant and top-tier research university in one of the most dynamic cities in the Pacific Northwest.

Located near downtown Bend and surrounded by mountains, forest and high desert, OSU-Cascades offers small classes that accelerate faculty-student mentoring and experiential learning in an innovative environment that accelerates opportunities for student, faculty and staff development and advancement.

With a 128-acre campus under development and a goal to grow to 3,000 to 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students, OSU-Cascades is delivering on a 40-year grassroots community effort to bring the benefits of a comprehensive university to the region:

Student Body and Alumni
Student and alumni data is as of fall 2024.
• 1,370 undergraduate and graduate students
• 78% from Oregon
• 42% Central Oregonians
• 24% first generation students
• 23% students of color
• 19 students on average per class
• 95% of 2023 graduates employed or in graduate school within 6 months of graduation
• 5,625 degrees awarded since founding

Academic Majors
A growing portfolio of degree programs at OSU-Cascades is designed to meet regional and state industry workforce and economic needs.

Research
Research underway at OSU-Cascades focuses on challenges in energy, the environment, human wellness, social justice and society. Labs at OSU-Cascades include the FORCE biomechanics lab, the Laboratory for the American Conversation and the Sustainable Tourism Laboratory.

Campus Development
OSU-Cascades’ campus development is driven by an award-winning long range development plan and engineering efforts that are transforming brownfields into a thriving university campus. Sustainability plans include net zero energy, waste and water goals. Initial sustainability efforts are seen in geothermal sourced energy to heat and cool buildings, and native plant landscaping requiring little or no irrigation. In addition to an academic core, campus plans includes a 24-acre innovation district, mid-market affordable housing, and 10-miles of walking/biking trails.

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. 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
For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

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:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
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 illness 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.
Key Responsibilities
Research (60%):
  • Lead and collaborate on externally funded research projects focused on soil carbon dynamics, invasive annual grass management, soil health, ecosystem resilience, and climate change impacts on terrestrial systems.
  • Develop and maintain a robust, externally funded research program with support from federal agencies (e.g., NSF, USDA, DoD).
  • Curate and synthesize information for use by managers and practitioners and conduct technical transfer in multiple forms, including written documents, live and/or virtual workshops and trainings (including the annual SageCon Summit), and other formats.
  • Publish original research in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at national and international conferences.
  • Apply advanced statistical and geospatial methods (e.g., R, ArcGIS Pro) to analyze ecological data.
Student Related Activities and Service (40%):
  • Teach and develop undergraduate courses within the Natural Resources and Environmental Science programs.
  • Provide training in field and laboratory techniques, data analysis, and scientific writing.
  • Incorporate research findings into course content and promote experiential learning.
  • Mentor undergraduate research
What You Will Need
  • Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in Soil Science, Ecosystem Ecology, Environmental Chemistry, or a closely related field.
  • Demonstrated record of scholarly research in ecosystem ecology, soil biogeochemistry, or related disciplines.
  • Evidence of sustained research productivity through peer-reviewed publications in reputable scientific journals.
  • Experience managing research budgets and fulfilling grant reporting requirements.
  • Demonstrated commitment to mentoring students and research staff.
  • Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable research and learning environment.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • 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 University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
What We Would Like You to Have
  • Ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary research teams.
  • Demonstrated expertise in soil biogeochemistry, ecosystem carbon and water cycling, or rangeland ecology, particularly in the context of climate change and invasive species.
  • Strong record of interdisciplinary collaboration with federal agencies, academic institutions, or land management organizations.
  • Experience leading or co-leading large, multi-institutional research projects.
  • Evidence of successful mentorship of graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and/or undergraduate research assistants.
  • Experience integrating research into teaching and curriculum development at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
  • Proficiency in advanced statistical modeling, geospatial analysis, and ecological data synthesis using tools such as R, ArcGIS Pro, or Google Earth Engine.
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in research, teaching, and service.
  • Experience engaging with stakeholders or conducting applied research relevant to land management, restoration, or conservation.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
Pay Method Salary
Pay Period 1st through the last day of the month
Pay Date Last working day of the month
Recommended Full-Time Salary Range Salary is commensurate with skills, education and experience.
Link to Position Description
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number P09376UF
Number of Vacancies 1
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 09/16/2025
Anticipated Appointment End Date
Posting Date 08/21/2025
Full Consideration Date
Closing Date 08/29/2025
Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / Internal
Special Instructions to Applicants
This is an Internal Employment Opportunity.

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) Curriculum Vitae

2) A Cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.

3) Transcripts. Transcripts must be submitted for all required and/or related courses. All courses must be from accredited colleges, universities, or private vocational schools. The online application system will allow you to attach your transcripts if the PDF file is 9MB or less. Transcripts must be received by the closing date. If you have trouble uploading your transcripts, reach out to the contact listed.

You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.

For additional information please contact:

Johana Hernandez
johana.hernandez@osucascades.edu

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.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.