This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Biological Sciences Research Technician 2 position for the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station (COMES) – Newport, at Oregon State University (OSU).

The technician will produce microalgae for the USDA ARS Pacific Shellfish Research Unit (PSRU) and primarily support the hatchery needs of the ARS breeding program, the Pacific Oyster Genomic Selection (POGS) project. The incumbent will be supervised by the POGS algologist and be principally responsible for culturing multiple phytoplankton species simultaneously, maintaining and operating algal photobioreactors, and conducting phytoplankton monitoring.

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.

30% - Culture of phytoplankton for research and feeding marine invertebrates, specifically bivalve shellfish. The algal technician will use aseptic culturing techniques to grow and maintain phytoplankton cultures at multiple volumetric scales. The technician will maintain a large primary stock of phytoplankton cultures (15 plus species) using small scale methods, ensuring proper cleaning and sterilization (e.g. autoclaving) of culture and media glassware to maintain the health and purity of phytoplankton within the existing library.

30% – Operation and maintenance of 6 Industrial Plankton Photobioreactors. Under primary supervision of the POGS algologist, inoculate, operate, and maintain photobioreactors for production level output necessary for shellfish research and breeding. Service, maintenance and repair of photobioreactors will include the use of power tools, hand tools and other mechanical equipment. Maintenance of seawater systems involved in the algal production and algal delivery system is also required for this position (i.e. replacing pumps, repairing plumbing, changing filter cartridges, cleaning head tanks, etc.).

30% – Conduct phytoplankton monitoring, including, but not limited to, algal quantifications in shellfish husbandry systems.

5% – Planning algae production schedule(s) to meet the needs of aquaculture research. The incumbent will coordinate with the algologist to schedule phytoplankton growth out periods as necessary to support PSRU operations and associated research projects.

5%- Support POGS breeding program husbandry and PSRU data collection seasonally. Husbandry duties may involve cleaning of husbandry systems, assisting in breeding program operations (spawn and quantification days, for example). Data collection includes counting animals, measuring and recording phenotypic characteristics, and taking DNA samples for genetic analysis.

Two years of college-level courses in marine science, microbiology, aquaculture, or closely related discipline and one year of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Research Technician 1 level; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Experience working in a scientific laboratory or aquatic animal husbandry facility.

Must meet all eligibility and security requirements necessary to work within a NOAA federal facility.

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.

B.S. degree in marine science, microbiology, oceanography, aquaculture, or closely related discipline.

Demonstrated experience working successfully on a highly repetitive, detail-oriented project or task.

Knowledge of phytoplankton ecology and monitoring/identification.

Experience in sterile culturing practices with phytoplankton.

Animal husbandry experience with bivalve shellfish or marine invertebrates.

Ability and willingness to perform repetitive tasks, involving manual labor, in laboratory and field settings.

Work will be conducted in wet laboratories supplied with running seawater.

Weekend work is required, at least one weekend every 5-6 weeks.

Work over holiday periods are required but the responsibility is rotated among staff that support the PSRU and POGS project from OSU and USDA.

Must be able to carry, push, and pull 50 pounds repeatedly.

Field work can be conducted in inclement weather and at odd hours due to logistical requirements for site access from tide cycles.

Current driver’s license is required since some work will require the operation of a fleet vehicle.

Applications will be reviewed based on the information submitted on the employment profile with education and work history along with any other requested documentation i.e. posting specific question responses, transcripts, etc. Your profile MUST clearly show how you meet the minimum/required qualifications for the position. Resumes are NOT accepted at the application stage for this position.

Equivalent required experience is based on full-time equivalent (40 hours per week).

PLEASE NOTE: If you have volunteer experience relevant to this position, please include in the Employment History section and note length of time, average number of hours per week and major duties.

Typically, the starting salary is at the lower end of the salary range.

For additional information please contact:
Christy Deykes
deykesc@oregonstate.edu
541-867-0230

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.

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.