Undergraduate Student Laboratory Assistant

OSU Oregon State University • Corvallis, OR

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This recruitment will be used to fill one part-time (a maximum of 24 hours per week) Undergraduate Student Laboratory Assistant position for the Presley Lab at Oregon State University (OSU). The Presley Lab is a wood biodeterioration laboratory in the Department of Wood Science and Engineering at Oregon State University. We study how wood decays and how to keep it from decaying. Our core question is a practical one: how do we extend the service life of utility poles and other in-service wood products by preventing decay caused by wood-rotting fungi? To answer it, we work across natural durability, traditional and alternative chemical preservatives, and the environmental conditions that drive decay. That work draws on wood science, chemistry, and mycology, and it ranges from benchtop assays to long-term field trials. We also study the ecology of the fungal communities that colonize wood, so a student in our lab will see both the applied and the basic-science sides of the problem. We are hiring a student laboratory assistant to join our team. The position is part-time (15–24 hours/week) during the Fall, Winter, and Spring terms. Students who are a good fit for the lab will have the opportunity to move to full-time (40 hours/week) work during the Summer term. Based on summer performance and available funding, part-time work (up to 24 hours/week) may continue through the following academic year. The work is a mix of laboratory and field tasks. Field work makes up a larger share of the job during the summer months. This is a hands-on position. You will learn sterile technique, fungal culturing, molecular identification, wood sample preparation, mechanical testing, and utility pole inspection, and you will contribute directly to ongoing graduate student and faculty research.

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.
• Required Interest in fungal wood decomposition
• Organized, with strong attention to detail
• Able to manage multiple tasks at once
• Able to problem-solve and work independently from written or verbal protocols
• Eager to learn new laboratory methods and techniques
• 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 OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in Youth Programs may have additional Criminal History Checks every 2 years.
• 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 Voluntary and Compulsory Driver Standards OSU Standard 125-155-0200) as per OSU Standard 576-056-0000 et seq.
• OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience or familiarity with working in a biology/chemistry laboratory
• Currently enrolled in a science-related degree program
• Basic knowledge of wood, wood science, mycology, and general laboratory procedures
• Background or interest in mycology and microbiology
• A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity

Responsibilities

• Operate common laboratory equipment, including microscopes, balances, fume hoods, laminar flow hoods, and data-collection systems, in support of project goals
• Apply proper sterile techniques in a microbiology laboratory, prepare and sterilize samples and materials using an autoclave, prepare growth media for culturing fungi from wood/environmental samples, and isolate pure fungal cultures.
• Prepare wood samples for testing, including cutting and grinding with power tools (band saw, chop saw, Wiley mill, etc.), wash glassware, perform general laboratory cleaning and maintenance, and run errands for the lab
• Handle hazardous chemicals and materials (chemically treated wood, wood-treating formulations etc.)
• Identify fungi using molecular methods = Extract, amplify, clean, and prepare DNA for sequencing from both pure cultures and environmental samples (wood and soil)
• Maintain our field sites (mowing, string trimming, weed pulling, and similar site upkeep)
• Sample and inspect in-service utility poles (decay assessments, increment coring, and related field measurements)

What This Job Offers

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