Internship Program​/Undergraduate Student Technical Assistant

Internship Program/Undergraduate Student Technical Assistant

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

Two part‑time (up to 24 hours per week) technical assistant positions are available for the Central Oregon EXP Station at Oregon State University. The incumbent will support the Central Oregon Agricultural Research and Extension Center Plant Pathology Laboratory with laboratory, greenhouse, and field work related to plant disease research and integrated pest management in central Oregon.

• Job Title:
  
  Internship Program/Undergraduate Student Technical Assistant
• Appointment Type:
  Student Employee
• Location:
  
  Madras, Oregon
• Appointment Percent: 100%
• Pay Method:
  Hourly
• Pay Range: $14.70–$21.00 (Standard); $13.70–$20.50 (Non‑Urban); $15.95–$21.50 (Portland Metro)
• Schedule:
  
  Summer 20–40 hours per week; up to 20 hours per week during spring, fall and/or winter terms as project needs dictate.

• Perform routine to complex laboratory tasks including preparation of media, reagents and solutions, maintenance of fungal and bacterial cultures, DNA extraction, and PCR/qPCR.
• Manage greenhouse operations such as establishing trials, watering and fertilizing plants.
• Assist in field work, including plot establishment and maintenance for plant disease epidemiology and IPM projects.
• Support development and delivery of research outcomes through data collection, entry and presentation for scientific and Extension presentations.
• Contribute to current research activities such as in‑field diagnostic assays for bacterial blight of carrot seed, fungicide resistance evaluation in grass pathogens, powdery mildew epidemiology in carrot seed crops, integrated management of Verticillium wilt in peppermint, and disease/insect pest monitoring in irrigated cropping systems.
• Adhere to required safety and security protocols, including successful completion of a criminal history check and a Motor Vehicle History Check, and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Comply with university policies and procedures related to hazardous materials, laboratory safety, and animal care where applicable.

• Currently enrolled in a high school, community college, or university program.
• Maintain good academic standing; students on academic suspension are not eligible.
• Meet minimum enrollment thresholds:
  • High school: regular enrollment or homeschooling program.
  • Undergraduate/post‑baccalaureate: 6 credit hours per term.
  • Undergraduate international student: 12 credit hours per term.
  • Graduate student: 5 credit hours per term.
  • Graduate international student: 9 credit hours per term.
• High level of responsibility, organization and motivation.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record; ability to drive a university vehicle.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a research environment.
• Commitment to human resources final approval and compliance with national background checks.
• Graduate International Services (OIS) approval if enrolling below standard credit load.

• Undergraduate students pursuing degrees in Biology, Botany, Horticulture, Agronomy, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Environmental Science or related fields.
• High‑school students aged 18 and older who can operate a university vehicle.
• Previous laboratory or field research experience.
• Experience working with plants and plant pathology projects.

Notice that all job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval. OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.