Undergraduate MMI Assistant

Special Instructions to Applicants

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents.

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae (1–2 pages) that includes:
  • Name
  • Contact Information (phone and email)
  • GPA
  • Educational History
  • Any work/volunteer experience related to marine science or that makes you a strong candidate for this position
• Personal statement (essay style, not to exceed 1,000 words) that includes:
  • One or two paragraphs describing your personal, professional, and academic background and skills, including your interests and activities as they relate to this position
  • One or two paragraphs about your academic and professional goals
  • One paragraph on how you think this experience will help you reach those goals
• Letter of recommendation from an academic advisor, professor, or supervisor who can speak to your skills and abilities

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

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 OSU Standard 576‑055‑0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self‑report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

Note:

All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

This recruitment will fill one part‑time (up to 24 hours per week during academic terms and up to 40 hours per week during academic breaks) Technical Assistant for the Sea Grant at Oregon State University (OSU). The 12th season of the TOPAZ / JASPER project focuses on the forging ecology of gray whales in Port Orford. The role requires an OSU undergraduate student (rising junior, senior, or recent graduate) to work with a team of one undergraduate and two high school students in oceanographic data collection, marine megafauna observation, and equipment handling.

The internship spans six weeks (July 13th – August 22nd), with full availability required and weekend work included. Housing and basic meals are covered in addition to hourly pay.

• 75% – Research: data collection, data entry/management, equipment setup, lab work
• 25% – Scientific communication

Day‑to‑day operations include kayaking to collect oceanographic data and zooplankton samples, or observing and entering marine megafauna data from a cliff side. The position requires flexibility for weekend work and variable field schedules. Interns also assist with lab data entry and sample processing, contribute to the GEMM Lab blog, and help deliver a community presentation at season end.

• Must be academically enrolled in a high school, community college, or university and pursuing a program or course of study
• Must meet Academic Standing Requirements; students on academic suspension are not eligible for employment
• Must meet the applicable minimal enrollment standard:
  • High School student: regular enrollment in a high school or home‑schooling program
  • Undergraduate and post‑baccalaureate student: 6 credit hours per term
  • Undergraduate international student: 12 credit hours per term*
  • Graduate student officially admitted to Graduate School: 5 credit hours per term
  • Graduate international student officially admitted to Graduate School: 9 credit hours per term*

* International students may be allowed to carry fewer hours than specified above and still be considered “full‑time” by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A reduced course load is approved by the Office of International Services (OIS) and must be provided to the Student Employment Center.

• Interest in marine biology and/or marine mammal science
• Ability to commit to the full 6‑week time frame
• Willingness to contribute to the lab blog
• Willingness to communicate with the public
• Willingness to perform public presentations
• Experience in data collection
• Experience working in a team setting
• Comfortable working up to 10 days in a row
• Comfortable working and living in a remote field station

• Boat/kayak experience in open water

• Outdoor work with extended periods of standing, moving gear (≤30 lbs) up a small hill, and daily kayaking
• Many days will start early in the morning (6 am) to take advantage of calm weather. End times of work days will be variable and based on field logistics, often in the mid/late afternoon (3–4 pm)

Competitive / Student – open to all qualified/eligible students.