Faculty Research Assistant: Assistant Potato Breeder

Important Notifications: Application Deadline: When applying, please keep in mind this posting will close at 11:59 pm the night before the posted "end date". Applications MUST be submitted prior to this deadline. Current Employees: Do not apply via the OSU Career site. Instead, please login to your regular Workday account and visit the Jobs Hub to apply.

Department: College of Agricultural Sciences | Hermiston Experiment Station

• Special Instructions 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. Starting salary will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience. For additional information please contact: Femi Omilani, Ph.D. [email protected] Job Summary: The Hermiston Agricultural Research & Extension Center (HAREC) invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Faculty Research Assistant position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head. The Assistant Potato Breeder is responsible for supporting Oregon State University’s Potato Breeding and Variety Development Program. This involves conducting greenhouse and field trials, performing crosses and evaluating experimental clones. The incumbent will also assist in the preparation of reports, grants and assist in extension events. This role will involve travel to other experimental stations and demands providing day-to-day direction to temporary employees and interaction with growers, industry partners and scientific audiences. The incumbent may prepare and present research materials and /or findings at professional meetings or in professional journals. This position requires driving a station vehicle to various field sites.

Key Responsibilities

Field Experiments Greenhouse research Personal management for season and temporary employees Research data and publication Community service and outreach Qualifications: Required Qualifications: BS degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Science, Horticulture or a related field or BS degree in unrelated field and 7 years gathering, analysis and reporting of data in field crop research.

Experience in operating farm or research-scale equipment. Experience working with Horticultural crops. Ability to lift, carry and pull objects up to 50 pounds and, occasionally, objects weighing more. Experience in commercial or research field crop management. Experience with computer spreadsheet and word processing programs.

Demonstrated ability to work independently and with others. Evidence of strong written and verbal communication skills. Must possess or be able to obtain an Oregon Public Applicator’s License and demonstration/research pesticide applicator’s license within Three (3) months of employment and maintain throughout period of employment.

Must possess or be able to obtain a farm endorsement within six (6) months of employment and maintain throughout the period of employment. 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. 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.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in potato or plant breeding. Experience in potato/vegetable production. Experience in molecular breeding and use of statistical and genetic tools. Experience towing trailers and hauling equipment. Experience in management of field crop production and research. Experience with field research techniques including plot design, maintenance and evaluation of field plots, seed processing, data collection and analysis and library research.

Working Conditions/Schedule: This position involves field, greenhouse, laboratory and office work. Work schedules can vary dramatically depending on seasonal needs. Work outside of an 8-5 workday is not uncommon especially in the spring for planting and during harvest in the fall. Field and greenhouse work can be under temperature extremes.

Field work may involve exposure to dusty, allergen-laden conditions. Hard physical activity involving lifting, pushing, and pulling objects weighing up to 50 lbs., and on some occasions, more than 50 lbs. Will operate university vehicles such as tractors, agricultural machinery, passenger vehicles and forklifts. Enter restricted areas such as confined spaces, biological laboratories and construction sites.

Performs agricultural chemical applications (fungicide, herbicide, pesticide). Respirator or dust mask and other required protective equipment used as necessary. This position is deemed essential, and the incumbent will be expected to report to work during inclement weather, emergency and other University work curtailments or closures.

Salary Range: Salary to commensurate with education, training and experience Anticipated Start Date: 2026-11-02 Anticipated End Date: 2027-06-30 When applying, please keep in mind this posting will close at 11:59 pm the night before the posted "end date". Applications MUST be submitted prior to this deadline. 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. If this position has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities and/or driving duties and 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 Background Checks website including the for 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 .