Job Summary
Botany & Plant Pathology invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Faculty Research Assistant/Senior Faculty Research Assistant I position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head.

Appointment as a Faculty Research Assistant is anticipated; however, higher rank may be considered depending upon the qualifications of the successful candidate.

This full-time position will primarily support plant disease diagnostics efforts in the OSU Plant Clinic by performing and interpreting results from molecular and serological assays. The position will also conduct research to develop new molecular and sequencing-based assays to detect plant pathogens in collaboration with other scientists. This is a dynamic position, and the successful candidate must be able to rapidly adapt to changing demands and work productively under time pressure for timely diagnoses. The successful candidate will have excellent critical thinking skills, be detail-oriented and organized, and be skilled at multi-tasking. The candidate will also apply their communication and mentoring skills to supervise undergraduate students that assist in the lab. This is an on-site position.

College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) faculty are committed to enhancing student success by engaging students in quality academic, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities. There is an expectation that, as part of your role in the college, you embody and advance the principles and practices conveyed in the CAS CARE Commitment document.
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.

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
45% Perform pathogen testing using various molecular techniques
Perform and optimize pathogen testing using various molecular and serological methods (DNA/RNA extractions, PCR, qPCR, RT-PCR, ELISA) for fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, phytoplasmas, viruses, and nematodes.
Troubleshoot assays.
Sample plant tissue and perform nucleic acid extractions using different methods.
Identify pathogens by Sanger sequencing barcode regions.
Detailed record-keeping of all performed tests, methods, and results, including use of laboratory information management system.
Write and update protocols.

30% Develop, optimize, and adopt new pathogen testing assays
Develop, optimize, and adopt new pathogen testing assays for plant, soil, and water samples using high throughput sequencing and bioinformatics.
Optimize and adopt new molecular assays for pathogen testing.
Assist with manuscript preparation and grant reporting.

20% Supervise undergraduate student workers
Hire, supervise, and train undergraduate students on microbiology, molecular biology, and sequencing techniques.
Plan students’ work schedules.

5% Lab maintenance
Maintain culture collections of pathogens and nucleic acid collections of positive controls.
Maintain an orderly, clean, and safe workplace.
Order laboratory materials and keep track of equipment certification needs.
What You Will Need
An earned BS degree in plant pathology, microbiology, biology, or related field.
Experience with classical microbiological methods for fungal and bacterial isolation (aseptic technique).
Experience optimizing and troubleshooting protocols for nucleic acid extraction and PCR.
Experience running command line programs on Linux.
Ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with diverse colleagues.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Ability to work calmly and efficiently under time pressure.
Ability to write detailed protocols and document testing and research results in English.


Additional Required Qualifications for the Senior Faculty Research Assistant I Rank:
An earned MS in a relevant field and 5 or more years research experience in molecular diagnostics.
Expertise in various molecular biology techniques and analyzing large sequencing datasets.
5 or more years of experience managing multiple projects and supervising students/staff.


This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
What We Would Like You to Have
Experience working with diverse microbes (bacteria, fungi, phytoplasmas, viruses, oomycetes, and nematodes).
Experience working in a molecular diagnostic lab.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
This position requires to be on-site. Work schedule is standard hours, except for occasional travel for conferences/workshops if interested (approximately once a year). Late early summer through fall are busiest with high sample volumes. The physical working conditions are those of a standard microbiology laboratory and office involving standing and sitting and alternating between both. Long periods of computer use may be necessary on occasion. Lab work includes use of autoclaves and chemicals.