Research Assistant Professor Jobs in Oregon

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Integrative Biology invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 9-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position. Oregon State University is a public R1 research university and the largest university in the state of Oregon, with an enrollment of over 35,000 students and a sponsored-project research budget of over 400 million dollars in 2025.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Successful candidates are expected to develop vigorous, externally-funded research programs with a primary focus on understanding processes within organisms that drive performance. Organismal-level research that is integrated with and/or has clear implications for ecological or evolutionary processes is preferred. Research may include theoretical, experimental, comparative and/or observational approaches in laboratory and/or field settings. The candidates will also contribute to a vibrant, inclusive and collaborative department, including through mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students, teaching within the biology and zoology degree programs, and service to the university and profession.

The Department of Integrative Biology receives support for its academic programs from the College of Science and has an internationally ranked doctoral program. Our faculty members have experience in terrestrial, marine and freshwater ecology, evolution and organismal biology and take innovative approaches that span molecules to ecosystems. We are thus seeking colleagues with high potential for engaging in self-initiated and/or collaborative research that is centered in organismal and sub-organismal biology that integrates across scales. We are particularly interested in candidates whose work uses problem-based or solution-oriented approaches with implications for conservation, management, sustainability, economic opportunities or other transformative applications. Successful candidates may benefit from Oregon State University’s state of the art laboratories, the supercomputer in the new Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex, the Hatfield Marine Science Center, its vertebrate and invertebrate research collections, and easy access to a wide range of potential field sites, including rivers, wetlands, forests, oak savannahs, sagebrush steppe, grasslands, high desert, coastal beaches, rocky seashores and estuaries. The department delivers Biology and Zoology degrees in both traditional and online modalities and has teaching responsibilities in nearly every undergraduate major at OSU. We are dedicated to student success and are particularly interested in candidates with a demonstrated commitment to excellence in inclusive, evidence-based teaching and mentorship.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. (or foreign equivalent) in Biology or related field.
• Research with a primary focus on understanding processes within organisms that drive performance and may affect processes at ecological or evolutionary scales.
• Demonstrated ability or potential to establish an extramurally funded research program of high impact and longevity.
• Demonstrated ability or potential to instruct effectively using evidence-based practices at the undergraduate or graduate level.
• Demonstrated ability or potential to mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with and engage with colleagues in a department, research or community group.

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant post-doctoral experience, including academic or professional positions, and especially training that afford the candidate a unique, integrative perspective.
• Research that spans multiple biological levels or that utilizes multi-pronged approaches (e.g., field, laboratory, theory).
• Experience in interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary collaboration.
• Demonstrable commitment to inclusive teaching and mentorship practices.
• Experience teaching in multiple modalities, including traditional classroom, online and experiential settings.

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.

LOCATION

Job Location: Corvallis

BENEFITS

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.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by October 1, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to the applicants.

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

1. A cover letter, not to exceed 2 pages, that includes an executive summary of your research and teaching statements that addresses why your research and teaching is a strong fit for an integrative biology department that is seeking to bolster its expertise in organismal biology.

2. A resume/CV – including in bold the top five most relevant publications (please provide DOI when available). In-review or in-preparation (completed projects only) papers may be included as a citation in the CV list for early-career candidates if the projects and its findings are also referenced in your statement of research. The CV should clearly indicate experiences or accomplishments that support the minimum and preferred qualifications.

3. Statement of Research, not to exceed 2 pages, that summarizes your research interests and vision.

4. Statement of Teaching, not to exceed 1 page, that summarizes your teaching and mentorship experience, philosophy and inclusive, evidence-based practices.

5. Letters of Reference will be requested on finalists only. When applying, you will be asked to provide the email address and telephone number for 3 referees who will be sent a secure quicklink that will allow them to upload the requested letters of reference on your behalf.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For additional information please contact: Tara Bevandich at tara.bevandich@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-5336.

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.