What are the responsibilities and job description for the Faculty Research Assistant: Horticulture position at Oregon State University?
Important Notifications
Application Deadline: When applying, please keep in mind this posting will close at 11:59 pm the night before the posted "end date". Applications MUST be submitted prior to this deadline.
Current Employees: Do not apply via the OSU Career site. Instead, please login to your regular Workday account and visit the Jobs Hub to apply.
Department
Horticulture
Special Instructions To Applicants
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by October 31, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.
When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:
For Additional Information Please Contact
Aaron Becerra-Alvarez
Job Summary
The Department of Horticulture invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Faculty Research Assistant position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head.
This position will support weed science in vegetable crop production faculty in the Horticulture Department in the College of Agricultural Sciences perform field research. This position collects/provides objective, science-based information related to weed science in vegetable crop production involved in scholarly activities, conducting greenhouse and field research, contributing to publications. The incumbent is expected to maintain and operate field research equipment including but not limited to tractors, planters, mowers, sprayers, lasers, flamers, electric, and other tractor equipment. The incumbent will manage field trials on conventional and organic production.
Key Responsibilities
Required Qualifications:
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 University Policy 05-030.
Preferred Qualifications
Starting salary will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.
Anticipated Start Date
2027-01-11
Anticipated End Date
2027-06-30
When applying, please keep in mind this posting will close at 11:59 pm the night before the posted "end date". Applications MUST be submitted prior to this deadline.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.
OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.
OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. If this position has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities and/or driving duties and you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.
Application Deadline: When applying, please keep in mind this posting will close at 11:59 pm the night before the posted "end date". Applications MUST be submitted prior to this deadline.
Current Employees: Do not apply via the OSU Career site. Instead, please login to your regular Workday account and visit the Jobs Hub to apply.
Department
Horticulture
Special Instructions To Applicants
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by October 31, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.
When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:
- A resume/CV; and
- A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.
For Additional Information Please Contact
Aaron Becerra-Alvarez
- becerraalvarez@oregonstate.edu
Job Summary
The Department of Horticulture invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Faculty Research Assistant position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head.
This position will support weed science in vegetable crop production faculty in the Horticulture Department in the College of Agricultural Sciences perform field research. This position collects/provides objective, science-based information related to weed science in vegetable crop production involved in scholarly activities, conducting greenhouse and field research, contributing to publications. The incumbent is expected to maintain and operate field research equipment including but not limited to tractors, planters, mowers, sprayers, lasers, flamers, electric, and other tractor equipment. The incumbent will manage field trials on conventional and organic production.
Key Responsibilities
- Collect and/or compile research data for greenhouse and field research trials. Help design, develop, implement, and maintain field trials on the research farm and grower fields.
- Maintain and operate field research equipment. Ensure equipment is in good condition, keep records of maintenance, and operate for field research trials.
- Provide agronomic management for field trials conducted on the research farm including nutrition, irrigation, and pest management.
- Ensure compliance with herbicide applications and organic certification and maintain records on all field plots.
- Prepare reports and data analysis for use in grower reports, extension meetings, and co-author peer-reviewed publications and extension publications (and/or for presentation at scientific symposiums/conferences).
- Supervise student workers.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in plant sciences, crop science, horticulture, weed science, pest management, biology, natural resources or related field by time of hire.
- Experience conducting field and laboratory research, including experimental design.
- Experience with basic statistical analysis of data.
- Experience with operating and maintaining tractor equipment and field equipment, skilled with power tools, and ability to drive trailers for moving equipment.
- General knowledge and ability to use computers, including proficiency with information technology, professional office software and collaborative work platforms.
- Effective communications (written and verbal) skills.
- Must have or be able to obtain an Oregon Department of Agriculture Pesticide Consultant License with the Demonstration and Research option within six months of employment and maintain it through employment.
- Must be able to work independently and as part of a group of temporary employees and students.
- Demonstrable commitment to collaborative and respectful learning and working environments that are safe, inclusive, and welcoming.
- Ability to learn and adapt to using multiple forms of digital communication systems, including websites, email newsletters, and other tools in a changing technological environment.
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 University Policy 05-030.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in weed science research
- Supervisory experience
- Experience with operating and maintaining tractor equipment
- Experience in research environment
- Proficiency with ARM Statistical Software and R
- Field work and greenhouse work include work under field conditions (cold, heat, wet and dust).
- Regular work schedule but may require some overnight travel and work outside of normal working hours (early morning, evening, weekends) if need arises.
- Working with agricultural chemicals
- Working around heavy machinery like tractors and tractor equipment
- Driving is essential to operate a motor vehicle to travel to research sites.
- Ability to carry, lift, push, and pull items weighing up to 50 pounds
Starting salary will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.
Anticipated Start Date
2027-01-11
Anticipated End Date
2027-06-30
When applying, please keep in mind this posting will close at 11:59 pm the night before the posted "end date". Applications MUST be submitted prior to this deadline.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.
OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.
OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. If this position has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities and/or driving duties and you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.