What are the responsibilities and job description for the Faculty Research Assistant/Research Associate: Wildfire Analytics position at Oregon State University?
Faculty Research Assistant/Research Associate: Wildfire Analytics
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Please see Special Instructions for more details.
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by June 23, 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:
1) A Curriculum Vitae; and
2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.
You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.
For additional information please contact:
Chris Dunn
chris.dunn@oregonstate.edu
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.
When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:
1) A Curriculum Vitae; and
2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.
You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.
For additional information please contact:
Chris Dunn
chris.dunn@oregonstate.edu
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.
Position Details
Position Information
Department
Forest Eng/Resourcs/Mgmt (FOR)
Position Title
Faculty Research Assistant
Job Title
Faculty Research Assistant/Research Associate: Wildfire Analytics
Appointment Type
Academic Faculty
Job Location
Corvallis
Benefits Eligible
Full-Time, benefits eligible
Remote or Hybrid option?
Job Summary
The Department of Forest Engineering, Resources, and Management invites applications for multiple full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term, Faculty Research Assistant or Research Associate: Wildfire Analytics position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head.
This position in the Wildfire Analytics, Science and Planning lab at Oregon State University focuses on wildfire management and effects, with a particular focus on risk to the many values placed across landscapes. The wildfire environment has become increasingly complex, expensive, and hazardous in recent decades because of historical fire and forest management, a changing climate, and an expanding wildland urban interface. Emerging from these trends is the greater understanding that business as usual may not be sustainable, such that significant change in how we view, respond, and manage fire is needed. This position will contribute to a large body of ongoing research focused on science that supports decision making.
This position in the Wildfire Analytics, Science and Planning lab at Oregon State University focuses on wildfire management and effects, with a particular focus on risk to the many values placed across landscapes. The wildfire environment has become increasingly complex, expensive, and hazardous in recent decades because of historical fire and forest management, a changing climate, and an expanding wildland urban interface. Emerging from these trends is the greater understanding that business as usual may not be sustainable, such that significant change in how we view, respond, and manage fire is needed. This position will contribute to a large body of ongoing research focused on science that supports decision making.
This position will work alongside other fire ecologist and wildfire risk science experts, contributing geospatial technical and analytical skills (existing or learned) grounded in systems thinking. We will focus on applied research and development of decision-support tools that help advance collaborative forest restoration or maintenance, integrated natural resource planning, and wildfire risk response and mitigation. Both theoretical and applied research outcomes are expected. The successful candidate will be responsible for data collection and management, as well as running statistical models and other appropriate analyses. They will be extensively involved in scholarly activities, including contributing to and authoring publications, and presenting data at scientific meetings and workshops.
Why OSU?
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!
Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.
FACTS:
• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
- 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
- 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100 undergraduate degree programs, 80 graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
- 217k alumni worldwide
- For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about
Locations:
Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.
Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.
Total Rewards Package:
Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
- Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
- Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.
Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principles of a Health Promoting University. This commitment drives a collaborative approach across OSU’s safety and well-being programs, reducing silos and coordinating efforts to enhance employee safety and well-being. By prioritizing resources that support the health of both employees and students, OSU fosters a culture of care and a healthier campus environment where everyone can thrive.
2025 Best Place for Working Parents® Designation!
Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.
Key Responsibilities
Participate in research, including, but not limited to, compilation of data sets, documentation and archiving of data sets, generation of research questions, development and implementation of appropriate methodology, statistical analysis of primary and secondary data, maintenance of records and archives, interpretation of results and development of conclusions based on research. (30%)
Writing and oral communication of research. (30%)
Spatial and statistical analysis of data sets. (30%)
Maintain a leadership role in the laboratory, including participating in professional development and DEI opportunities, helping organize meetings, assisting with analytical efforts, and providing mentorship to other RAs as needed. (10%)
What You Will Need
Minimum Qualifications for Faculty Research Assistant:
- Master’s degree in geospatial analyses or data analytics, mathematics, wildfire management, ecology, or related field.
- Excellent writing and oral communication skills, including humility and skills that foster co-production of research with Tribal Nations, federal agencies and other practitioners.
- Research experience, work experience, or coursework in forestry and wildland fire
- Geospatial and statistical analyses in R, Python or ArcPro
- Experience in developing, fitting, and interpreting regression models
- Interests in trans-disciplinary research problems related to human-wildfire interactions
- Desire to collaborate on producing peer-reviewed publications and other products
- A positive attitude and interest in collaboration in a conscientious and inclusive way
Minimum Qualifications for Research Associate:
- PhD in geospatial analyses or data analytics, wildfire management, mathematics, ecology, or related field.
- Excellent writing and oral communication skills, including humility and skills that foster co-production of research with Tribal Nations, federal agencies and other practitioners.
- Research experience, work experience, or coursework in forestry and wildland fire
- Geospatial and statistical analyses in R, Python or ArcPro
- Experience in developing, fitting, and interpreting regression models
- Interests in trans-disciplinary research problems related to human-wildfire interactions
- Desire to collaborate on producing peer-reviewed publications and other products
- A positive attitude and interest in collaboration in a conscientious and inclusive way
- Motivation for independent research and ability to conceptualize new questions and research endeavors
What We Would Like You to Have
- Experience with multiple regression, logistic regression, graph theory, and other statistical modeling approaches
- Evidence of successful transdisciplinary collaborations
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
The work may require overnight travel for data collection or verification purposes, or for presentation of results.
Pay Method
Salary
Pay Period
1st through the last day of the month
Pay Date
Last working day of the month
Recommended Full-Time Salary Range
Salary is commensurate with skills, education, and experience.
Link to Position Description
https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/180918
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
P09990UF
Number of Vacancies
Multiple
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date
07/07/2026
Anticipated Appointment End Date
Posting Date
06/10/2026
Full Consideration Date
06/23/2026
Closing Date
07/06/2026
Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search
Competitive / External - open to ALL qualified applicants
Special Instructions to Applicants
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by June 23, 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:
1) A Curriculum Vitae; and
2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.
You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.
For additional information please contact:
Chris Dunn
chris.dunn@oregonstate.edu
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.
When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:
1) A Curriculum Vitae; and
2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.
You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.
For additional information please contact:
Chris Dunn
chris.dunn@oregonstate.edu
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.
Supplemental Questions