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Academic WageSalaried: Faculty Research Assistant

Oregon State University

Academic WageSalaried: Faculty Research Assistant

Oregon State University

Department: Central Oregon Exp Sta (ACT)

Appointment Type: Academic Wage

Job Location: Madras

Recommended Full-Time Salary Range: Salary is commensurate with skills, education, and experience

Job Summary:

The Central Oregon Agricultural Research and Extension Center (COAREC ) is seeking a salaried Academic Wage: Faculty Research Assistant. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE ), 12-month, fixed-term position.

Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences is seeking a Faculty Research Assistant to support the Agricultural Water Technical Assistance Program (AgWater-TAP ), a legislatively funded initiative focused on improving agricultural water management across Oregon.

This position will focus on lab, field, and basin-scale research activities, including the design and implementation of on-farm experiments, installation and maintenance of irrigation and environmental monitoring equipment, and the collection and management of data related to soil, crop growth, surface and groundwater quality, and weather conditions. The incumbent will work closely with faculty and collaborating partners to ensure research protocols are followed, data is collected accurately, and results contribute to improved agricultural water management practices. This is a full-time, fixed-term position based at the Central Oregon Agricultural Research and Extension Center (COAREC ) in Madras, Oregon, with an anticipated duration of 12 months. Renewal is contingent upon performance, programmatic need, and the availability of future funding.

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 https://hr.oregonstate.edu/work-life/diversity-and-cultural-resources 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 https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/prospective-employee 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 https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/new-employees/benefits-calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU .

Key Responsibilities

Field Research and Instrumentation Technician

25% Field Experiment Design and Implementation

Assist in the design and implementation of on-farm research trials focused on improving irrigation practices and water management. Responsibilities include site preparation, treatment application, and adaptation of protocols to local conditions.

25% Sensor Installation, Calibration, and Maintenance

Install, maintain, and calibrate field-based instrumentation, including soil moisture sensors, weather stations, water flow meters, and other monitoring equipment. Perform regular calibrations and diagnostics to ensure data accuracy and equipment reliability.

20% Field Data Collection and Management

Collect soil data, plant growth and yield measurements, water quality parameters, and weather data using standardized field protocols. Organize, document, and manage data to support quality control and ensure its availability for analysis and reporting.

20% Support the OSU Ag Water Technical Assistance Program

Contribute to the development and implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement Program (STEP ), including support for field instrumentation, collection of competition performance metrics (e.g., input-use efficiency, profitability), and coordination with grower teams during the pilot phase at COAREC .

5% Technical documentation and reporting

Maintain detailed field logs and assist in preparing technical summaries, procedural documentation, and preliminary data reports to support project deliverables and grant reporting.

5% Team coordination and communication

Collaborate with faculty, staff, and external partners through regular meetings and field updates. Assist in coordinating research schedules and troubleshooting issues related to equipment or field logistics. Write reports, research proposals, and manuscripts.

What You Will Need

Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, Environmental Science, Soil Science, Plant Science, Natural Resources, Hydrology, or a closely related field.

Demonstrated experience conducting field-based research in agricultural or environmental settings, including the use of instrumentation for data collection related to water, soil, or crop management.

Familiarity with irrigation systems, crop water use efficiency strategies, water quality monitoring, and environmental sensors (e.g., soil moisture, weather stations, and flow measurement devices).

Basic understanding of water quality monitoring, including sampling and analysis of agricultural and/or domestic water sources for nutrients, contaminants, or other indicators.

Awareness of groundwater-related issues, such as supply, quality, and management practices in agricultural or rural contexts (e.g., Groundwater Management Areas).

Interest in or experience with emerging technologies such as drones, remote sensing, or agrivoltaics for enhancing agricultural water management or field assessment.

Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research or Extension team.

Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to document procedures, manage field data, and communicate technical information.

Experience working in applied agricultural or environmental field settings.

Possession of a valid driver’s license and the ability to travel throughout the state of Oregon, including to rural and remote field sites, as required.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self-report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

What We Would Like You to Have

Master’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, Environmental Science, Soil Science, Plant Science, Natural Resources, Hydrology, or a closely related field.

Experience with field instrumentation relevant to agricultural water management, including installation, calibration, and maintenance of soil moisture sensors, weather stations, tensiometers, lysimeters, and groundwater monitoring wells.

Proficiency in collecting and managing field data related to soil moisture, plant water status, irrigation applications, groundwater levels, and water quality—especially parameters such as nitrate-nitrogen, pesticides, salinity, and other contaminants.

Strong skills in data analysis and visualization using Microsoft Excel and/or programming languages such as R, Python, or MATLAB , with an emphasis on hydrological, agronomic, or environmental datasets.

Familiarity with evapotranspiration estimation methods, irrigation scheduling tools, deficit irrigation strategies, and evaluation of crop water use efficiency.

Experience using remote sensing and geospatial technologies (e.g., GIS , drone imagery, or satellite data) to assess spatial patterns in soil moisture, crop performance, or groundwater recharge potential.

Knowledge of agricultural water conservation practices and regulatory or technical assistance programs related to surface and groundwater resource management (e.g., NRCS , irrigation districts, or groundwater management areas).

Demonstrated ability to coordinate fieldwork, manage research projects, and collaborate within interdisciplinary teams focused on sustainable agriculture, groundwater protection, and water quality improvement.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

This position combines office work with field research activities. It requires regular travel to farms, stakeholder sites, and research locations across Oregon, including rural and remote areas.

Fieldwork may be conducted outdoors in variable weather conditions and may involve traversing uneven or rugged terrain. Tasks may require extended periods of standing, walking, or bending, as well as interaction with monitoring equipment and field installations.

Occasional overnight travel may be necessary. Work hours may vary seasonally and will require flexibility to ensure the timely completion of field research and data collection activities.

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by August 1, 2025. 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 resume/CV; 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: Floyid Nicolas

nicolasf@oregonstate.edu

352-204-6156

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.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/background-checks website including the https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/6391807

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