Faculty Research Assistant: Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Union Experiment Station

OSU Oregon State University • Union, NJ

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Union Experiment Station, is hiring two full-time, 12-month, fixed-term Faculty Research Assistants to support research on forest and rangeland ecology and management. The positions are located in Union, Oregon, and reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head.

The research includes work on mule deer forage availability and habitat quality; the ecology, management, and restoration of First Foods, particularly Roots and Berries; and assessment of riparian, grassland, and forest ecosystem responses to restoration and management treatments. Projects involve partners including the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Nez Perce Tribe, land management agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the Pacific Northwest Research Station.

The assistants collect environmental, natural-resource, and ecological data in the field; conduct field and laboratory experiments, including seed germination studies; collaborate with ecologists, land managers, stewards, and project partners; assist with data analysis; and contribute to or author publications, reports, presentations, and outreach materials. The Union Station is one of two stations in the Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, whose research and outreach address rangeland ecology and management, wildlife management, ecological restoration, alternative livestock systems, and sustainable resource management in eastern Oregon.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in ecology, botany, plant ecology, natural resources, rangeland ecology, wildlife, or a related discipline.
• Experience measuring and collecting natural-resource and/or ecological data in field settings, such as soil, slope, aspect, richness, diversity, composition, or density.
• Experience using GPS units to navigate to locations and record spatial data in the field.
• Experience and/or training in using dichotomous keys, identifying plants, and measuring plants or vegetation.
• Experience and commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Working knowledge of MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Google Docs.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to kneel or squat for extended periods for data and sample collection.
• Ability and willingness to work in difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions, including heat, snow, and rain.
• Must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined position-qualified.
• Must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, and be determined position-qualified.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrable commitment to inclusive excellence.
• Master’s degree in ecology, botany, plant ecology, natural resources, rangeland ecology, wildlife, or a related discipline.
• Experience or knowledge of seed germination and plant propagation techniques.
• Working knowledge of plant communities and plant species of the interior Pacific Northwest.
• Proficiency in GPS, GIS, and statistical applications such as ArcGIS, R, Google Earth, Survey123, and Avenza.
• Experience collecting field data using tablets, smartphones, and/or rugged computers.
• Experience and knowledge of Traditional Ecological Knowledge or Indigenous Knowledge, decolonizing methodologies and approaches, ethics related to knowledge co-production, and collaboration with Indigenous partners.
• Experience driving 4WD vehicles on dirt or gravel roads.
• Experience in data management and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Collect scientific data and measure ecological and natural-resource variables in field settings.
• Maintain research records.
• Communicate effectively with the research team.
• Collaborate with external research partners and project collaborators.
• Support research projects on mule deer forage and habitat quality, First Foods, and restoration and management of riparian, grassland, and forest ecosystems.
• Implement field and laboratory experiments, including seed germination studies.
• Assist with data analysis.
• Contribute to and author publications, reports, presentations, and outreach materials.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level