Student Research Assistant

OSU Oregon State University • Bend, OR

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Laboratory for the American Conversation at Oregon State University–Cascades is seeking an undergraduate research assistant to join a nationally recognized team working at the intersection of psychology, anthropology, and public discourse. The Lab uses social theory, discourse analysis, and large-scale surveys to uncover what values communities express when they enter into public discourse, and what threats they are trying to avoid. Our work tackles some of the most divisive issues of our time, from climate change to public health, with the goal of building communication strategies and tools that foster respectful dialogue and forge new solutions. This is a opportunity to contribute to research with real public impact. Working alongside faculty and research staff, the successful candidate will gain hands-on experience across the full research lifecycle, from IRB-compliant study design through data collection, analysis, and write-up, while developing skills directly relevant to graduate study and careers in research, policy, and public service. You'll be part of a small, collaborative team on OSU-Cascades' Bend campus that promotes an intellectually and inter-culturally rich environment for engaging the critical issues confronting the American public.

Requirements

• Must be academically enrolled in a high school, community college, or university and pursuing a program or course of study
• Must meet Academic Standing Requirements; students on academic suspension are not eligible for employment
• Must meet the applicable minimal enrollment standard
• High School student: Regularly enrolled in a high school or participating in a home-schooling program
• Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate student: 6 credit hours per term
• Undergraduate international student: 12 credit hours per term
• Graduate student officially admitted to Graduate School: 5 credit hours per term
• Graduate international student officially admitted to Graduate School: 9 credit hours per term
• International students may be allowed to carry fewer hours than specified above and still be considered “full-time” by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS ). A reduced course load is approved by the Office of International Services ( OIS ), and must be provided to the Student Employment Center.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in social science research
• Qualitative research methods
• Quantitative research methods
• Data organization and analysis

Responsibilities

• Assist with the design and execution of research projects, ensuring all activities comply with IRB protocols and university research policies.
• Conduct literature reviews and synthesize scholarly sources to support project development and framing.
• Collect, organize, and manage research data, maintaining accurate records and adhering to data-handling and confidentiality requirements.
• Contribute to the drafting, editing, and formatting of research write-ups, reports, and related materials.
• Support the preparation and submission of IRB documentation, including consent forms, protocol amendments, and required approvals.
• Attend regular lab meetings and collaborate with faculty and research staff to track project progress and deadlines.
• Perform administrative and logistical tasks related to research operations, such as scheduling, correspondence, and materials preparation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED