Position Information Department COMES - Newport Exp Sta (ASF) Classification Title Bio Science Research Tech 2 Job Title Biological Sciences Research Technician 2 Appointment Type Classified Staff Job Location Newport Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible Remote or Hybrid option? Employment Category Regular Job Summary This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Biological Sciences Research Technician 2 position for the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station (COMES) – Newport, at Oregon State University (OSU).
The technician will produce microalgae for the USDA ARS Pacific Shellfish Research Unit (PSRU) and primarily support the hatchery needs of the ARS breeding program, the Pacific Oyster Genomic Selection (POGS) project. The incumbent will be supervised by the POGS algologist and be principally responsible for culturing multiple phytoplankton species simultaneously, maintaining and operating algal photobioreactors, and conducting phytoplankton monitoring. 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 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:
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 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 to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU. Key Responsibilities 30% - Culture of phytoplankton for research and feeding marine invertebrates, specifically bivalve shellfish. The algal technician will use aseptic culturing techniques to grow and maintain phytoplankton cultures at multiple volumetric scales. The technician will maintain a large primary stock of phytoplankton cultures (15 plus species) using small scale methods, ensuring proper cleaning and sterilization (e.g. autoclaving) of culture and media glassware to maintain the health and purity of phytoplankton within the existing library.
30% – Operation and maintenance of 6 Industrial Plankton Photobioreactors. Under primary supervision of the POGS algologist, inoculate, operate, and maintain photobioreactors for production level output necessary for shellfish research and breeding. Service, maintenance and repair of photobioreactors will include the use of power tools, hand tools and other mechanical equipment. Maintenance of seawater systems involved in the algal production and algal delivery system is also required for this position (i.e. replacing pumps, repairing plumbing, changing filter cartridges, cleaning head tanks, etc.).
30% – Conduct phytoplankton monitoring, including, but not limited to, algal quantifications in shellfish husbandry systems.
5% – Planning algae production schedule(s) to meet the needs of aquaculture research. The incumbent will coordinate with the algologist to schedule phytoplankton growth out periods as necessary to support PSRU operations and associated research projects.
5%- Support POGS breeding program husbandry and PSRU data collection seasonally. Husbandry duties may involve cleaning of husbandry systems, assisting in breeding program operations (spawn and quantification days, for example). Data collection includes counting animals, measuring and recording phenotypic characteristics, and taking DNA samples for genetic analysis. What We Require
Two years of college-level courses in (specific field of biological science) and one year of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Research Technician 1 level; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.
What You Will Need Two years of college-level courses in marine science, microbiology, aquaculture, or closely related discipline and one year of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Research Technician 1 level; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.Experience working in a scientific laboratory or aquatic animal husbandry facility.
Must meet all eligibility and security requirements necessary to work within a NOAA federal facility.
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. What We Would Like You to Have B.S. degree in marine science, microbiology, oceanography, aquaculture, or closely related discipline.
Demonstrated experience working successfully on a highly repetitive, detail-oriented project or task.
Knowledge of phytoplankton ecology and monitoring/identification.
Experience in sterile culturing practices with phytoplankton.
Animal husbandry experience with bivalve shellfish or marine invertebrates. Working Conditions / Work Schedule Ability and willingness to perform repetitive tasks, involving manual labor, in laboratory and field settings.
Work will be conducted in wet laboratories supplied with running seawater.
Weekend work is required, at least one weekend every 5-6 weeks.
Work over holiday periods are required but the responsibility is rotated among staff that support the PSRU and POGS project from OSU and USDA.
Must be able to carry, push, and pull 50 pounds repeatedly.
Field work can be conducted in inclement weather and at odd hours due to logistical requirements for site access from tide cycles.
Current driver’s license is required since some work will require the operation of a fleet vehicle. Pay Method Hourly Pay Period 16th - 15th of the following month Pay Date Last working day of the month Min Salary $18.06 Max Salary $26.20 Link to Position Description