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Position Details

Position Information

Department: Crop and Soil Science (ACS)
Position Title: Faculty Research Assistant
Job Title Faculty Research Assistant: Wheat Breeding & Genetics Research
Appointment Type: Academic Faculty
Job Location: Hermiston
Benefits Eligible: Full-Time, benefits eligible
Remote or Hybrid option?

Job Summary

The Department of Crop & Soil Science invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Faculty Research Assistant (FRA) position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head.

The incumbent in this position contributes to the mission of Oregon State University Agricultural Experiment Station (OSUAES) with principal responsibility for providing technical support for the Wheat Breeding and Genetics research program within the Department of Crop and Soil Science.

This position will be housed in Umatilla County with possible work between Hermiston and Pendleton stations. Occasional travel to Corvallis will be required.

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 learner success through programming appropriate for diverse audiences.

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

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.

Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principles of a Health Promoting University. This commitment drives a collaborative approach across OSU’s safety and well-being programs, reducing silos and coordinating efforts to enhance employee safety and well-being. By prioritizing resources that support the health of both employees and students, OSU fosters a culture of care and a healthier campus environment where everyone can thrive.

2025 Best Place for Working Parents® Designation!

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

• 40% — Responsible for management of field trials. This includes field preparation, planting, spraying, fertilizing, irrigation, rouging, flagging, and harvesting. Will collect, analyze, interpret, draw conclusions from data collected as part of the field trials/research. Maintain pesticide applicator’s license and apply pesticides when necessary. Maintain non-commercial Class C driver’s license. Will require frequent travel to field trials around Eastern Oregon. Will require frequent communication/coordination with both the Project Leader and other wheat FRAs.

• 20% — Maintain, operate, and secure equipment associated with planting, maintaining and harvesting field trials plus equipment associated with seed processing. Maintain and order supplies as needed.

• 15% — Responsible for recruitment, hiring, managing, and terminating, if necessary, hourly workers as well as planning, assigning and approving work, under the general supervision of the Project Leader. Will take initiative to recruit, mentor, and retain individuals from underrepresented populations.

• 10% — Assist in assembling data for reports, manuscripts, and Plant Variety Protection applications for cultivar or germplasm release.

• 5% — Keep records and provide necessary reports to Project Leader, including plans of work, and standard operating procedures.

• 5% — Represent the breeding program by making presentations at field days as well as grower, industry and regional meetings. Develop and disseminate informational materials on variety releases, including updating the program website.

• 5% — Assist in training of graduate and undergraduate students who are conducting research in association with the breeding program. Participate in professional development opportunities. Serve on committees. Other duties as assigned.

What You Will Need

• B.S. degree in agronomy, crop science, plant science, horticulture, agricultural science or a related field

• Experience in operating farm-scale equipment.

• Experience in securing and hauling heavy farm equipment with trailers.

• Experience in commercial or research field crop management.

• Experience with computer spreadsheet and word processing programs.

• Experience with supervising others.

• A demonstrated ability to work independently and in groups.

• Evidence of strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Must have or be able to obtain an Oregon demonstration/research pesticide applicators’ license and a non-commercial Class C driver’s license within six months of employment and maintain both throughout period of employment.

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

• M.S. degree in agronomy, crop science, plant science, horticulture or a related field.

• Experience in plant breeding.

• Experience in cereals production.

• Experience with experimental design of field research trials.

• Experience with communicating research to non-academic audiences.

• Have or be able to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA within six months of employment and maintain it throughout period of employment in order to operate small unmanned aerial systems.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

This position involves field, laboratory, and office work.

Work schedule can vary dramatically depending on seasonal needs. Work outside of an 8 AM–5 PM day is not uncommon during the summer harvest and fall planting seasons. Periodic overnight travel will be required. Fieldwork can be under high-temperature, dusty, allergen-laden conditions. Hard physical activity involving lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling items weighing up to 50 lbs and, occasionally, heavier will be required under some circumstances. Will operate university vehicles such as tractors, agricultural machinery and passenger vehicles. Enter restricted areas such as confined spaces, biological laboratories and construction sites. Performs agricultural chemical applications (fungicide, herbicide, pesticide). Respirator or dust mask, and other required protective equipment is needed under some circumstances.

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

https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/16393

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number: P10018UF
Number of Vacancies: 1
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date: 08/01/2026
Anticipated Appointment End Date:
Posting Date: 06/17/2026
Full Consideration Date:
Closing Date: 07/01/2026
Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search: Competitive / External - open to ALL qualified applicants

Special Instructions to Applicants

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:

Margaret Krause
Margaret.krause@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.