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Position Information

Department Horticulture (AHT)

Position Title Faculty Research Assistant

Job Title Faculty Research Assistant Hazelnut Greenhouse

Appointment Type Academic Faculty

Job Location Corvallis

Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible

Remote or Hybrid option?

Job Summary

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

Appointment at the Faculty Research Assistant rank is anticipated; however, appointment at a promoted rank may be considered depending upon the qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position supports the hazelnut breeding and genetics project by managing activities in greenhouses on campus and field plots at the Smith (Vegetable) research farm. The position is responsible for greenhouse activities including coordinating activities and managing space with greenhouse operations staff. Additional duties include conducting experiments to support research, maintaining advanced selection trials, harvesting and evaluating nuts, collecting and summarizing data, and recruiting and training student workers. Position will present research findings in research reports, at meetings (stakeholder and research-focused) and through publications.

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 audience. There is an expectation that, as part of your role in the college, you embody and advance the principles and practices conveyed in the CAS CARE Commitment (https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/sites/agscid7/files/main/for-faculty/care.pdf) document.

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

•7cultural resource centers (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/work-life/diversity-and-cultural-resources) 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 acomprehensive benefits package (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/prospective-employee) 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 theBenefits Calculator (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/new-employees/benefits-calculator) to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU .

Key Responsibilities

45%Greenhouse activities– Coordinate activities and manage space with greenhouse operations staff. Place hybrid seeds into stratification or distribute to cooperators. Plant hybrid seeds as they germinate. Transplant seedlings to pots, stake and tie them, install emitters for irrigation. Monitor seedling growth and provide hand watering as needed. Transfer older seedlings to larger pots as needed. Place rooted layers in pots and grow in lathhouse for eastern filbert blight exposure. Collect scion wood in the field and graft trees in the greenhouse. Place rooted layers in pots and provide shoot tips for in vitro culture establishment. Graft trees and inoculate w/eastern filbert blight spores.

25% Maintain advanced selection trials, harvest and evaluate nuts– Coordinate field plot maintenance with other research assistant and farm manager. Operate and maintain machinery and equipment. Design trial plots, dig and sort trees. Plant trial plots, apply white paint to trunks, train trees, prune trees annually, control suckers, discontinue evaluation of discarded selections. Label all trees in field plots, map seedling plots and prepare wooden stakes for those plots. Harvest nuts at maturity by hand or with a small harvester machine. Wash, dry and sort harvested nuts. Evaluate nuts for weight, percent kernel, blanching, defects and other traits. Measure tree trunks after leaf drop. Clean up unharvested nuts in plots. Purchase supplies. Prepare nut and kernel samples of cultivars & advanced selections (for meetings/tours). Prepare posters and other educational materials for tours and visitors. Emasculate parent trees for controlled pollinations.

12% Record flowering, leaf budbreak, and nut maturity data in advanced selection trials– Record time of pollen shed and female flower receptivity on a weekly basis. Collect pollen and test its germination. Record time of leaf budbreak in the spring. Estimate percentage of nut drop of advanced selections on a weekly basis (Sept. – Oct.). Annually update the lists of female and pollen testers for incompatibility testing. Make pollination bags, mark branches for emasculation and bag for incompatibility testing. Enter data collected by student workers.

10% Collect and summarize data, manage records and photographs– Collect and record data on flowering, leaf budbreak, and nut maturity. Collect and record data on harvested nuts. Manage records of parents used, incompatibility alleles, and hybrid seeds harvested. Manage records of seeds stratified, seedlings grown, and selections preserved in layer beds. Summarize data on advanced selections and present findings in research reports, at meetings (stakeholder and research-focused) and through publications. Take photos of trees, husks, nuts and kernels and manage photo collection.

8% Lead work– Assist in hiring, training and supervising undergraduate student workers in daily tasks. Assist in training graduate students and coordinate their activities.

Work professionally and inclusively with people from all backgrounds.

What You Will Need

Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture, Crop Science, Agronomy or closely related field.

Coursework or experience in plant breeding.

Experience in growing plants and propagating them from seed and vegetatively.

Self-motivated with excellent organizational skills and the ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Ability to make good decisions under conditions of unexpected changes.

Excellent interpersonal skills and a commitment to learn-oriented management.

Ability to clearly communicate job expectations and provide training when needed.

Strong oral and written communication skills.

Possess sufficient discretion to manage confidential information appropriately

Experience with data management and statistical software (spreadsheets, word processing, and email), and ability to learn new procedures, techniques, or software programs quickly.

Ability to produce reports and communicate results both written and orally at professional meetings.

Experience in operating farm and greenhouse equipment (e.g. tractor, chainsaw, track loader, planter, backpack sprayer, etc.)

Life experience, education, or training that demonstrates commitment to work with underserved students or other audiences and enhances capacity for positive impact.

Ability to lift 50 pounds and work outdoors in all weather conditions.

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

Master of Science degree in Horticulture, Crop Science, Agronomy or closely related field.

Plant breeding experience.

Plant pathology training

Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).

Mechanical skills for equipment repair. Experience in maintaining/repairing farm and greenhouse equipment (e.g. tractor, chainsaw, track loader, planter, backpack sprayer, etc.).

Ability to make good decisions under conditions of unexpected change.

Ability to take photos of nuts, kernels and trees and manage a photo collection.

Ability to update and maintain the project website and social media sites.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

Operate a motor vehicle.

Work outdoors in all types of weather.

Work with farm equipment.

Ability to lift 50 lbs.

Walking, standing, bending and stooping for extended periods.

Exposure to pollen, dust, fumes, noise and unpleasant variation in temperature.

May need to work after regular working hours and occasionally on weekends.

Work with or around chemicals and caustic compounds (e.g. pesticides, herbicides, disinfectants, and cleaning agents).

Apply pesticides.

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/114085

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number P08807UF

Number of Vacancies 1

Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 03/10/2025

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Posting Date 01/24/2025

Full Consideration Date 02/07/2025

Closing Date 02/14/2025

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

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by February 07, 2025.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.

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.

3) Unofficial Transcripts

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:

Shawn Mehlenbacher

shawn.mehlenbacher@oregonstate.edu

541-737-5467

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. (Unofficial transcripts accepted)

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.

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 ourBackground Checks (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/background-checks) website including thefor candidates (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/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 atemployee.relations@oregonstate.edu.

Supplemental Questions

Read More at: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/164103

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.