Food Science Research Assistant - Berry Breeding Program

Food Science Research Assistant - Berry Breeding Program Overview

Position Information

• Job Title:
  
  Food Science Research Assistant - Berry Breeding Program
• Appointment Type:
  Student Employee
• Job Location:
  
  Aurora
• Position Appointment Percent: 100
• Appointment Basis: 12
• Pay Method:
  Hourly
• Pay Period: 16th - 15th of the following month
• Pay Date:
  Last working day of the month
• Remote or Hybrid option?

Additional details are provided below where applicable.

This recruitment will be used to fill two part-time (maximum of 24 hours per week) student technical assistant positions for the horticulture department at Oregon State University (OSU). Employees assist in data collection related to small fruits (raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, strawberry) in support of USDA breeding programs located in Corvallis, OR, with student employee work primarily conducted at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC), Aurora, OR (primary research site).

Work involves processing and collecting fruit quality data on berry breeding lines harvested from research trials at the OSU - NWREC experiment station during the summer term.

OSU is committed to ensuring students are prepared for success after graduation through intentional skill development as student employees. The competencies students develop while working at OSU are defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as the essential skills employers seek. In this position, students learn and build vital career-readiness skills in the primary areas below:

Communication, Critical Thinking, Teamwork, Technology

Assist USDA berry breeders in processing fruit samples harvested from experimental trials, collecting data on fruit quality and post-harvest characteristics, recording data, and analyzing datasets. Will involve assisting in harvesting berry samples, freezing berry samples, measuring sugar and acid content, measuring firmness and other texture traits, evaluating shelf life.

• 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.

Must be at least 15 years of age and able to:

• Perform assigned tasks without close supervision after training
• Pay attention to detail
• Tolerate exposure to dust, fumes, noise and outdoor summer temperatures
• Sit/stand/walk for extended periods
• Lift up to 50 lbs
• If at least 18 years of age, with a valid driver’s license, be willing to drive a motor pool vehicle to offsite locations, as needed, at the request of the supervisor.

• Residence in south Portland area during summer term for ease of access to OSU - NWREC work site located in Aurora, OR
• Experience with laboratory protocols, plant propagation and care, data entry
• Experience or interest in training to operate tractors and farm equipment (minimum age 18)

Student employee will have option to begin working prior to 6/1/2026 and continue working after summer months on a part-time basis if desired.

Work is performed indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions. Student employees are limited to 40 hrs per week during summer and 20 hrs per week during class terms and during term…