Volunteer Shellfish Aquaculture Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Department:Costal Oregon Marine Experiment StationSpecial 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.

3) Please attach an additional document addressing the following supplemental questions:

• What is your experience working in marine/estuarine systems and/or on small boats under field conditions?
• What is your experience working with ecological datasets?
• What programs have you used to process and analyze data?

Starting salary will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

For additional information please contact:

Christy Deykes

deykesc@oregonstate.edu

Job Summary:

The Department of Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station 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

This position is located in Newport, Oregon.

The incumbent will assist Oregon State University (OSU) and the United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service, Pacific Shellfish Research Unit (USDA-ARS, PSRU) researchers with projects related to shellfish aquaculture.

These projects involve mapping shellfish aquaculture and other estuarine habitats in coastal estuaries using GPS and GIS, designing and conducting surveys to investigate the use of these estuarine habitats by fish and invertebrates, examining burrowing shrimp populations in coastal estuaries as they impact shellfish aquaculture, and investigating survival of shellfish (primarily oysters) when exposed to burrowing shrimp and other stressors including temperature, low PH, high PCO2 water, pathogens like OSHv-1 in the estuarine environment.

The incumbent is expected to assist with conducting field work, processing samples, entering data, data analyses, and reporting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and execute field and laboratory research withUSDA-ARSandOSUcollaborators. Current projects include long-term burrowing shrimp population monitoring in several estuaries, estuarine habitat surveys, nekton habitat use, and studies aimed at quantifying shrimp population change across ecological boundaries (e.g., aquaculture, bed edge).
• Enter and maintain accurate records for data collected in above field and laboratory studies. Process, analyze and interpret data using statistical modeling tools (e.g. R, ArcGIS).
• Compile research findings; co-author presentations and manuscripts for publication. Participate in ongoing research planning discussions.
• Store samples, maintain databases, inventory and store chemicals, service and maintain small boats and field equipment, and maintain safe laboratory conditions.
• Process field-collected samples, such as measuring burrowing shrimp and other fish and invertebrates and recording data. Supervise volunteers or other student employees as needed which may include planning, assigning and approving work.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• MS in field related to biological science. Experience designing and conducting biological/ecological field studies.
• Experience analyzing ecological and community data using both parametric and non-parametric techniques.

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:

• Prior experience with marine/estuarine science and/or shellfish aquaculture.
• Experience working on small boats.
• Experience using handheld GPSunits, water monitoring equipment, underwater video cameras, fishing traps and beach seines, R, ArcGIS and other tools used to manage and analyze ecological data.

Working Conditions/Schedule:This position involves field work, which may occur at non-standard times due to tide cycles. Some evening and weekend work may be required. Field work may be conducted in inclement weather. The incumbent may be required to lift, carry, push, and pull objects (cores, nets, cameras, and other collection devices) weighing up to 50 pounds. Travel may also be required.Salary Range:Salary is commensurate with skills, education and experienceAnticipated Start Date:2026-09-14Anticipated End Date:2027-06-30

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.