Faculty Research Assistant: Plankton Lab (Internal Employment Opportunity)
Oregon State University
Posted on Oct 18, 2025
Position Information
| Department | Hatfield Marine Sci Ctr (RMS) |
|---|---|
| Position Title | Faculty Research Assistant |
| Job Title | Faculty Research Assistant: Plankton Lab (Internal Employment Opportunity) |
| Appointment Type | Academic Faculty |
| Job Location | Newport |
| Benefits Eligible | Full-Time, benefits eligible |
| Remote or Hybrid option? | |
| Job Summary | This is an Internal Employment Opportunity. The Hatfield Marine Science Center invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term, Faculty Research Assistant: Plankton Lab position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Director. This position is located in Newport, Oregon. The Faculty Research Assistant works with Principal Investigators (PIs) on research projects associated with plankton imaging, taxonomic identification, data collection and analysis. Primary responsibilities include deployment of underwater imaging equipment in freshwater ponds, and in the coastal ocean. Additional tasks include processing plankton samples, identifying and measuring larval fishes and their prey, potentially dissecting fish for their otoliths, and database management. |
| Why OSU? | 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 | 100% – Conduct Research:
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| What You Will Need |
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. 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 University Policy 05-030. |
| What We Would Like You to Have |
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| Working Conditions / Work Schedule | Majority of daily work will be in the laboratory processing plankton samples, most of which are preserved in 70% ethanol. Regular fieldwork sampling freshwater ponds from a kayak. Occasional work on research vessels collecting plankton data at sea. Such trips could be up to 21 days in duration at which times the employee might work more than 8 hours per day, including day and night hours. |
| 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 | P09509UF |
|---|---|
| Number of Vacancies | 1 |
| Anticipated Appointment Begin Date | 11/01/2025 |
| Anticipated Appointment End Date | |
| Posting Date | 10/17/2025 |
| Full Consideration Date | |
| Closing Date | 10/24/2025 |
| 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) A resume/CV; and 2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. 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: Robert.Cowen@oregonstate.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. |