Student Vegetable Breeding Position

OSU Oregon State University • Corvallis, OR

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This part-time position (maximum of 24 hours per week) is for the Vegetable breeding program at Oregon State University (OSU). The role involves significant field and greenhouse maintenance, including tasks such as planting, weeding, cultivating, harvesting, washing pots, setting up drip lines, and seed cleaning. Additionally, there will be laboratory work focused on data collection, along with field preparation, lab cleaning, and threshing. The work will be performed on a variety of vegetable crops including beans, tomatoes, corn, peas, broccoli, squash, and peppers. The position also emphasizes transferable skill development in critical thinking, teamwork, and career & self-development, aligning with NACE competencies.

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).
• Must have a valid driver’s license and feel comfortable driving trucks, gators, tractors, and other farm equipment.
• Must have the ability to work independently and within a team.
• Must be able to work in all types of weather.
• Must be able to walk, stand, bend over, and stoop for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift 50lbs.
• Must have a passion for agriculture and horticulture.
• Must have a reliable mode of transportation to reach the research farm.
• Must be able to work 40hrs a week during the summer (June-September).
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Pursuing a degree in horticulture, botany, or similar subject.
• Experience with data collection and entry in Excel.
• Gardening or farming experience.

Responsibilities

• Field prep, planting, weeding, cultivating, harvesting, threshing, seed cleaning.
• Greenhouse planting, labeling, irrigation, plant management, and pot/emitter washing.
• Assist with organizing plots, seeds, and lab spaces.
• Assist in cross pollinations, data collection like seedling counts, tasseling dates, and cob counts.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Complete safety trainings.
• Lab cleaning.
• Threshing.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed