What are the responsibilities and job description for the Pro Tem Research Assistant position at University of Oregon?
Department: Institute of Ecology and Evolution
Rank: Research Assistant
Annual Basis: 12 Month
Review of Applications Begins
November 20, 2026; position open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
To ensure consideration, complete applications must include the following along with the online application:
Department Summary
The Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IE²) is a research institute that reports to the Vice President for Research and Innovation. We have 22 labs and approximately 150 employees, including 50 graduate students who train in our labs. We have an administrative structure, which includes accounting, purchasing, personnel, and PI support.
Position Summary
This Research Assistant position will involve a mix of hands-on research working with live plants in the UO greenhouse, molecular genetic work in the laboratory, and laboratory maintenance duties. The purpose of this position is to support the efforts of the Streisfeld lab, as well as independently (under the direction of Dr. Streisfeld), to make high-impact discoveries in the field of evolutionary biology.
The essential responsibilities will be to help maintain the functions of the Streisfeld lab, while also designing and conducting experiments, interpreting data, training other researchers in the laboratory, and maintaining laboratory equipment. The hire will have constant contact with other lab researchers (undergraduate and graduate students, and postdocs) and with Dr. Streisfeld. This person will make independent decisions about how to set up experiments for DNA isolation, genome sequencing, gene expression, and genetic crossing for studies of plant evolution. This may require referring to the scientific literature or asking other lab members. They will also make decisions about how to troubleshoot experiments that are not working, how to present data, how to care for equipment and reagents, and how to formulate and address key questions in their research. These decisions are important and could impact the efficiency of research in the Streisfeld lab, as well as its scientific direction. Because the experiments could be published in scientific journals and funded by the federal government, job-level decisions can also have an impact on the success of the University of Oregon, the National Science Foundation, and the federal funding of basic research. Judgment should, therefore, be executed with commensurate responsibility. At a minimum, the Research Assistant will meet with the laboratory principal investigator once per week. The guideline for job-related decisions will be to maximize scientific impact and experimental efficiency of the Streisfeld lab and of the hire’s own research project.
Minimum Requirements
The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit our website .
The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please email us or call 541-346-5112.
UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here .
In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online .
Rank: Research Assistant
Annual Basis: 12 Month
Review of Applications Begins
November 20, 2026; position open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
To ensure consideration, complete applications must include the following along with the online application:
- A cover letter highlighting how your knowledge, skills, and experience qualify you and your interest for the position.
- A resume of your professional work experience, education, and prior research experience.
Department Summary
The Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IE²) is a research institute that reports to the Vice President for Research and Innovation. We have 22 labs and approximately 150 employees, including 50 graduate students who train in our labs. We have an administrative structure, which includes accounting, purchasing, personnel, and PI support.
Position Summary
This Research Assistant position will involve a mix of hands-on research working with live plants in the UO greenhouse, molecular genetic work in the laboratory, and laboratory maintenance duties. The purpose of this position is to support the efforts of the Streisfeld lab, as well as independently (under the direction of Dr. Streisfeld), to make high-impact discoveries in the field of evolutionary biology.
The essential responsibilities will be to help maintain the functions of the Streisfeld lab, while also designing and conducting experiments, interpreting data, training other researchers in the laboratory, and maintaining laboratory equipment. The hire will have constant contact with other lab researchers (undergraduate and graduate students, and postdocs) and with Dr. Streisfeld. This person will make independent decisions about how to set up experiments for DNA isolation, genome sequencing, gene expression, and genetic crossing for studies of plant evolution. This may require referring to the scientific literature or asking other lab members. They will also make decisions about how to troubleshoot experiments that are not working, how to present data, how to care for equipment and reagents, and how to formulate and address key questions in their research. These decisions are important and could impact the efficiency of research in the Streisfeld lab, as well as its scientific direction. Because the experiments could be published in scientific journals and funded by the federal government, job-level decisions can also have an impact on the success of the University of Oregon, the National Science Foundation, and the federal funding of basic research. Judgment should, therefore, be executed with commensurate responsibility. At a minimum, the Research Assistant will meet with the laboratory principal investigator once per week. The guideline for job-related decisions will be to maximize scientific impact and experimental efficiency of the Streisfeld lab and of the hire’s own research project.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or related field.
- One year of experience working in a biology research laboratory.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.
- Experience working with molecular biology, including DNA and RNA isolation, genome library preparation, gene expression.
- Experience working with plants in a greenhouse setting.
- Training in botany, plant ecology, evolution, or genetics.
The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit our website .
The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please email us or call 541-346-5112.
UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here .
In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online .