Faculty Research Assistant: State Fisheries Genomics Lab

OSU Rec Sports - Sport. Leadership. Wellness.•Newport, RI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The State Fisheries Genomics Lab (SFGL) at Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon, invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, fixed-term Faculty Research Assistant position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head. The position works with SFGL researchers to address the science and management needs of OSU’s Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station (COMES) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). SFGL produces genetic and genomic data, develops science-based tools and information from those data, and formulates science-based recommendations. Research focuses on marine, anadromous, and freshwater species. The incumbent will provide research leadership, maintain an efficient and productive laboratory, archive tissue samples and associated metadata, train students in genetic and genomic techniques, and collaborate with OSU’s Center for Quantitative Life Sciences and the University of Oregon’s Genomics and Cell Characterization Core Facility. As a COMES member, the incumbent will work with coastal communities and federal, state, and private organizations in support of COMES’s mission to understand, utilize, and sustain marine resources and coastal ecosystems for the benefit of Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, the Nation, and the World. The candidate is expected to demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The position contributes to programs that ensure equal employment and program participation opportunities regardless of protected status. It requires successful criminal history and motor vehicle history checks. The incumbent must maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence and self-report convictions as required by university policy. The work may require lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling objects weighing up to 50 pounds and performing repetitive tasks for extended periods. Salary is commensurate with skills, education, and experience. The anticipated start date is December 1, 2026, and the anticipated end date is June 30, 2027.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biology, genetics, or a related field.
Experience with molecular biology techniques, including DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, electrophoresis, primer design, DNA sequencing, and microsatellite analysis.
Familiarity with collecting, organizing, and statistically analyzing data.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively.
High attention to detail, organization, and record keeping.
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 meet applicable position qualification and self-reporting requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in biology, genetics, or a related field.
Strong genetics background and at least two years of experience working in a molecular genetics laboratory.
Experience with sequencing methodologies such as genotyping-in-thousands by sequencing (GT-seq), genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), and restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq).
Experience conducting genetic parentage analysis and using associated programs such as Cervus and COLONY.
Experience conducting population genetic analyses and using associated programs such as STRUCTURE, ONCOR, and Rubias.
Background in bioinformatics and programming experience, such as R, Perl, or Python.
Experience with high-performance computing clusters, software, and workload management systems such as Linux, SLURM, or SGE.
Strong background in statistical analyses, including generalized linear mixed models (GLMM).
Experience writing scientific documents, such as technical reports and peer-reviewed papers.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership in research addressing science and management needs of COMES and ODFW.
Process samples and analyze data.
Manage administrative duties and laboratory operations.
Maintain an efficient and productive laboratory.
Archive tissue samples and associated metadata.
Manage data.
Train and mentor students in genetic and genomic techniques.
Collaborate with OSU’s Center for Quantitative Life Sciences and the University of Oregon’s Genomics and Cell Characterization Core Facility.
Contribute to team production of genetic and genomic data.
Conduct outreach and service.
Work with coastal communities and federal, state, and private organizations.