Temporary Biological Science Research Technician

Temporary Biological Science Research Technician 1

Applications will be reviewed based on the information submitted on the employment profile with education and work history, along with any other requested documentation (e.g., posting specific question responses, transcripts, etc.). Your profile must clearly show how you meet the minimum and required qualifications for the position. Resumes are not accepted at the application stage.

Equivalent required experience is based on full-time equivalent (40 hours per week). If you have volunteer experience relevant to this position, please include it in your employment history section, noting the length of time, average number of hours per week, and major duties.

Typically, the starting salary is at the lower end of the salary range. For additional information please contact:

Meg Krawchuk
meg.krawchuk

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. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities; the initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job‑related pre‑employment check.

Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. For details, see the Background Checks website including the for candidates section.

Transcripts must be submitted for all required and/or related courses. All courses must be from accredited colleges, universities, or private vocational schools. The online application system will allow you to attach your transcripts if the PDF file is 9 MB or less. Transcripts must be received by the closing date. If you have trouble uploading, please contact the listed contact.

This recruitment will fill one full‑time Temporary Biological Sciences Research Technician 1 position in the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University (OSU). The position is located in Coos Bay, Oregon, and will support field data collection for a graduate research project focused on the effects of forest edges on Marbled Murrelet nesting habitat at the Elliott State Research Forest in the Central Coast Range of Oregon.

The project PI is Meg Krawchuk. The goal is to evaluate the effects of different forest edge types on habitat quality indicators, including canopy microclimate, nest predator abundance, and epiphyte community characteristics.

• Assisting with ground support for tree climbers (25%). Duties include transporting climbing gear, keeping ropes untangled, fastening field equipment, tying knots, and alerting climbers to hazards.
• Programming and deploying autonomous recording units (ARUs) at field sites (25%). Tasks include setting batteries, configuring recording settings, and performing maintenance checks.
• Performing understory composition inventories (30%). Example: determining the percentage of fruiting ground plants within a 10‑meter radius circular plot at transect locations.
• Data recording using paper datasheets and established protocols (20%).

Field work requires driving between site locations. The position will require working long hours outdoors in all weather conditions in a remote forested environment. The ability to traverse steep, rugged, and/or uneven terrain is required.

The anticipated work schedule is four days on and three days off, with workdays typically lasting 10 hours. Variability may occur. The field season starts in early April and concludes in early to mid‑September. Lodging during the early part of the season (April‑May) will be in hotels or Airbnb’s near the Elliott State Research Forest; later, overnight camping will be required at designated sites in the forest.

Participants must bring their own water, food, and toiletries for the duration of a work week.

Two years of college‑level courses in biology or a related field, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Must possess good interpersonal skills and be able to work independently for long hours outdoors, and as part of a…