This recruitment will be used to fill one part-time (approximately 20 hours per week) Temporary Biological Sciences Research Technician 1 position for the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center at Oregon State University (OSU).

This recruitment will be used to fill one Temporary Biological Sciences Research Technician 1 position for the Oregon State University’s Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center (SOREC) located in Central Point.

This is a temporary appointment for 1 year/1,040 hours.

The incumbent will assist and support researchers in the viticulture program. Duties will include setting up trials at orchard and vineyard field sites (both on- and off-station), field data collection, sample processing and laboratory analyses, insect population monitoring, and conducting on-farm demonstrations.

This position requires driving a state vehicle to field sites.

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.

Impose experimental treatments at on-station and on-farm research sites and monitor vegetative and reproductive growth and development of plants. Monitor plant water and nutrient status as needed. Irrigate and fertilize plots per predefined experimental protocols. Monitor insect and mite populations using specific traps and lures. Collect tissue samples for further laboratory analyses of size and composition.

40% Lab work
Process field samples for size and composition, disease diagnosis, and further laboratory analyses. Count arthropods with a dissecting microscope. Enter data in electronic format. Maintain lab equipment and instruments and keep labs clean.

10% Miscellaneous
Participate in group meetings, discussions, and staff events at the station. Participate in training sessions, formal and informal, on- or off-site, as needed. Assist SOREC staff in regular building, grounds, and equipment maintenance tasks as needed.

Two years of college-level courses in biology, chemistry, horticulture; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.

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.

Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline.

Prior experience working in vineyards.

Prior experience identifying insects.

Prior experience working at an off-campus research station.

Prior experience working with and operating technical field and laboratory equipment such as gas analyzer and spectrophotometer.

Employees in this class have limited contact with others outside the unit. Employees have occasional (varies depending on the season) in-person and telephone contact with the researchers to receive clarification of work assignments, report observations, or make suggestions on technical operations and with equipment suppliers to obtain service parts and supplies.

Employees in this class receive close supervision from a researcher or higher-level technician. Work is periodically reviewed throughout the assignment for conformance to the project goals and standards. State and Federal laws and regulations governing pesticide use and animal research and welfare are used as guidelines by employees in this class.

This position may work in inclement weather conditions when at field sites for several hours. The position also requires work inside a lab and/or in front of a computer for several hours.

Standard work schedule is M-F during normal operating hours at SOREC (8am – 5pm) with some variation during harvest season (July through September). This position is located in a lab where lab machinery may be running consistently, and will be required to perform repetitive tasks as part of their duties.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by April 17, 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 applicants.

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.

Cover letters are optional for this position and will not be used for evaluating your qualifications.

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

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.

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:
Dr. Alec Levin
Alexander.levin@oregonstate.edu
541-772-5165

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.