Position Details

Department        Crop and Soil Science (ACS)

Position Title       Faculty Research Assistant

Job Title     Faculty Research Assistant

Appointment Type       Academic Teaching/Research Faculty

Job Location        Corvallis

Position Appointment Percent       100

Appointment Basis       12

Faculty Status     Regular

Tenure Status     Fixed-Term

Pay Method        Salary

Recommended Full-Time Salary Range   Commensurate with training, education, and experience.

Position Summary    

The Department of Crop & Soil Science invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, Fixed-Term Faculty Research Assistant position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head.

This position contributes to the mission of the Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station (OSU AES) with the primary responsibility of providing technical and scholarship support for the Research and Extension Soil Fertility program within the Department of Crop and Soil Science.

College of Agricultural Sciences faculty are committed to enhancing student success by engaging students in quality academic, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities. Positions with primary responsibility for extension and outreach are likewise committed to leaner success through programming appropriate for diverse audience.

Position Duties  

  • 30% Field Experiments
  • Coordinates, manages, conducts, and supports trials at multiple locations in Oregon. Responsible for ordering appropriate supplies, selecting and properly using the most appropriate field equipment and methods for soil sampling, fertilizer and amendment applications, seeding, crop management, tissue sampling, harvest, data collection, data compilation, data analysis, and preparation of field trial sites for educational tours and field days.
  • Coordinates field experiments with research farm managers and commercial farm operators.
  • Designs statistically valid experimental plot designs and protocols.
  • Operates and calibrates equipment properly.
  • Provides support to graduate students from the program who are working on field studies.
  • Maintains a safe working environment, completes required safety trainings in a timely manner, and insures that seasonal workers and graduate students in the program are properly executing safety standards.
  • 30% Laboratory Experiments
  • Manages the OSU soil fertility research and extension lab, located in Corvallis, Oregon. Responsible for organizing the lab space, chemical and equipment inventory, soil and plant tissue processing and storage, equipment maintenance, and maintaining safety standards.
  • Conducts lab experiments in the soil fertility research lab, including soil-amendment incubation studies.
  • Provides support to graduate students who are working in the soil fertility research lab.
  • Conducts chemical analyses using equipment from other laboratories, as appropriate.
  • 20% Leadwork, Program Coordination, and Data Management
  • Hires and directs temporary employees which includes planning, assigning, and approving work, along with hiring and firing or recommending such actions.
  • Trains graduate students on how to efficiently and effectively execute field, lab, and data management protocols
  • Administers seasonal labor requirements and daily work schedules of seasonal employees.
  • Coordinates the communication with the project leader, graduate students, and other faculty research assistants (FRAs).
  • Coordinates and performs the organization, input, and analysis of data from project leader’s experiments.
  • Purchases supplies required for successful completion of all project activities.
  • Assists the project leader to manage budgets for labor, travel, supplies and services, and purchasing to remain within allowable expenditures.
  • 15% Research and Extension Reporting
  • Authors or co-authors progress reports and peer-reviewed research and extension publications on project work.
  • Presents information as oral presentations or posters at field days and grower/industry meetings as well as at local, regional, and/or national industry/professional peer meetings.
  • 5% Service and Outreach
  • Interacts with other staff, faculty, growers, and other stakeholders to promote efficient research and relationships.
  • Participates in local and regional industry meetings, professional societies, departmental committees, and other related activities.
  • Participates in professional development opportunities.

Minimum/Required Qualifications

  • BS degree in Soil Science, Crop Science, Plant Science, Environmental Science, Agronomy, or a related field.
  • Experience working in a laboratory setting.
  • A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
  • Experience in computer spreadsheet and word processing programs.
  • Must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently and with others.

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 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.

Preferred (Special) Qualifications 

  • MS degree in Soil Science, Crop Science, Plant Science, Environmental Science, Agronomy, or a related field.
  • Experience with data entry, data organization, data analysis, and data summarization.
  • Experience in soil fertility and nutrient management.
  • Experience in commercial or research field crop management.
  • Experience in large acreage crop production.
  • Experience with greenhouse and field research techniques including plot design, field maintenance, soil sampling, plant sampling, planting, harvest, and record keeping.
  • Experience with managing a laboratory.
  • Supervisory experience.
  • Experience operating farm or research-scale equipment.
  • Life experience, education, or training that broadens capacity to equalize student success or impact under-served audiences.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule    

Will carry out field work in inclement weather. Some night and weekend work might also be necessary for project success. Incumbent may maneuver up to 50 lbs., and may be required to stoop, bend, and kneel during fieldwork. Incumbent will be required to stand or sit at laboratory benches for sample processing and sit at computers for data entry and writing tasks. Incumbent will be expected to take soil samples using soil probes and augers for several hours at a time in agricultural fields. Will work closely with grass, wheat, potato, and other large acreage plants that are grown in Oregon. Will work with a variety of fertilizer chemicals.

This position requires a clear and unambiguous commitment to compliance of all National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) regulations for Division I (FBS) universities.  No

Posting Number  P03968UF

Number of Vacancies   1

Anticipated Appointment Begin Date      12/15/2020

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Posting Date       09/28/2020

Full Consideration Date

Closing Date        10/31/2020

Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search    Competitive / External – open to ALL qualified applicants

Special Instructions to Applicants 

Apply here: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/94802

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: Amber Moore at Amber.moore@oregonstate.edu

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

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 24 months. Offers of employment are contingent upon meeting all minimum qualifications including the criminal history check requirement.

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 et seq. Offers of employment are contingent upon meeting all minimum qualifications including the motor vehicle check requirement.