Position DetailsPosition Information
Department Microbiology (Ag) (AMB)
Position Title Faculty Research Assistant
Job Title Faculty Research Assistant - Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory Manager
Appointment Type Academic Faculty
Job Location Corvallis
Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible
Remote or Hybrid option?Job Summary The Department of Microbiology invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term, Faculty Research Assistant - Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory Manager position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head.Appointment at the Faculty Research Assistant rank is anticipated; however, appointment at a promoted rank may be considered depending upon the qualifications of the successful candidate.
The incumbent in this position will manage an Aquatic Animal Research facility: ensure proper care and use of fish, monitor a mechanically complex facility, oversee all aspects of water delivery and effluent treatment, assist researchers in projects, supervise and train students in care of fish. The incumbent must be able to be on call to respond to emergency needs as they arise.
College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS) faculty are committed to enhancing student success by engaging students in quality academic, research, internships, global studies, and other experiential learning opportunities. There is an expectation that, as part of your role in the college, you embody and advance the principles and practices conveyed in the
CAS CARE Commitmentdocument.
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
cultural resource centers 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
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• For more interesting facts about OSU visit:
https://oregonstate.edu/aboutLocations: 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
comprehensive benefits package 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
Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.
Key Responsibilities 60% Maintain research environment including mechanical equipment, facility and laboratory.- Be responsible for keeping the facility in compliance with regulatory requirements including:
- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and AAALAC accreditation: prepare for and participate in bi-annual IACUC inspections and 3 yearly AAALAC inspections of the facility; prepare and assist researchers with development and submittal of animal care and use proposals (ACUPs), prepare and submit annual and final ACUP reports and amendments, Ensure animal handlers have appropriate required training classes and maintains records of trainings. Update ACUPs with staff changes, monitor fish daily and submit daily animal health reports. Ensure all research activities are in compliance with ACUPs and regulations.
- Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S): Serve as the Designated Unit Safety Coordinator for the facility: be responsible for ensuring laboratory compliance with all health and safety regulations, including chemical inventory, standard operating procedures, PPE, Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan, IBC protocols, training requirements and record keeping. Prepare for annual EH&S inspections. Autoclave or arrange for incineration and disposal of biowaste.
- Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ): ensure that the laboratory complies with environmental regulations in accordance with the Facilities' National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Maintain effluent water quality, including a chlorine treatment system. Analyze effluent water daily, weekly, and monthly to collect data and provide monthly and annual reports to DEQ/EPA. Prepare for DEQ inspections.
- OSU and Benton County Fire Department: maintain facility within Oregon Fire Regulations, prepare for fire inspections, maintain and respond to alarm system
- Maintain water delivery system and monitor incoming and effluent water quality, including managing a chlorine treatment system. Conduct routine maintenance on facility equipment: including wells, heated/chilled water systems, UV sterilization, aeration, pumps and plumbing. Maintain fish tanks and tank racks supplied with ambient and heated/chilled water. Plan and schedule maintenance of facility and equipment including maintenance of buildings and landscaping.
- Manage a Direct Digital Control (DDC) System for the operation and monitoring of a mechanical system that supports animal welfare.
- Monitor an alarm system with multiple alarm points including chlorine, electrical power, water levels, water pressure, UV, temperature and aeration.
- Maintain, update and train personnel on the laboratory Emergency Response Plan. Train an additional on-call person on all aspects of the mechanical system and animal welfare.
- Be on call and available to respond within 30 minutes, 24 hours a day 5 days a week.
30% Maintain and care for research subjects (aquatic animals), facilitate, support, assist and manage research projects and coordinate lab activities of researchers, manage the laboratory:
- Maintain healthy stocks of fish, which includes acquiring fish, employing appropriate husbandry practices for each species, spawning, raising fish from eggs, maintaining optimal densities of fish, culling, disease monitoring and treatment.
- Coordinate lab activities of researchers and student workers; plan and schedule use of equipment, coordinate tanks use requests.
- Write and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and laboratory manual for all aspects of facility operation. Train researchers in use of equipment and all SOPs.
- Construct/modify equipment to meet researcher's experimental needs, including plumbing and wiring.
- Provide estimates of costs for projects for prospective researchers and grants. Update internal and external fee book fees regularly based on inflation of expenses. Prepare monthly fees for invoicing. Manage the AAHL budget.
- Order supplies as needed for culture of fish and laboratory research including: fish food, disinfectants, nets, and chemicals. Ensure that all lab equipment works properly and that supplies are at hand.
- Actively encourage new and continued users by promoting the laboratory through marketing strategies such as vendor booths, conducting facility tours and by maintaining and updating the laboratory website. Prepare service contract agreements with research clients as necessary.
- Conduct research projects on behalf of researchers when requested. Collect and manage data and write reports.
10% Hire, train and supervise staff, demonstrate a commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, participate in outreach activities, professional development and service to OSU.- Serve as search committee chair, and/or search committee member, write position descriptions for staff and student worker hires, conduct open and equitable searches reaching diverse groups from under-represented backgrounds and identities, arrange and conduct unbiased interviews, hire, train, mentor and supervise volunteers, students and staff.
- Demonstrate a commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, including but not limited to: conducting open searches reaching diverse groups from under-represented backgrounds and identities, by improving ADA access to the facility, participating in outreach activities reaching under-represented groups, offering opportunities such as internships to under-represented groups. Demonstrate participation in professional development opportunities and provide service to OSU/Unit/community.
What You Will Need - BA/BS degree in fisheries, fish ecology, physiology, aquaculture, natural resources, zoology or related field
- Experience working with contractors, vendors, and suppliers from various universities, private, and agency organizations
- Experience with fish husbandry,
- Experience with mechanical and plumbing systems,
- Experience with water quality monitoring and management
- Experience with conducting research and with experimental design
- Strong interpersonal skills, with a track record of positive/constructive personnel management
- Self-motivated, problem solver with good critical thinking and analytical skills, ability to work independently and as a productive, reliable team player• Ability to collaborate within and across disciplines
- Ability to engage in open and respectful communication with research collaborators
- Ability to supervise staff and student workers
- Ability to prioritize multiple competing priorities and confer with project leaders
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to be available on call after hours on a rotating basis for facility emergencies-available to respond within 30 minutes, 24 hours a day 5 days a week.
- Ability to lift or pull heavy equipment (50+ lbs)
- Demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity in an educational/ research setting
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 - Education
- MA/MS preferred, postgraduate education or equivalent practical experience with a background in fish disease, ecology, genetics, physiology, or development (or some combination thereof), with an interest in the application of basic research to fisheries conservation and management.
- Demonstrated capacity to provide professional facility and support staff oversight to ensure successful completion of research projects.
- Knowledge of salmonid biology/management and prior experience working with salmonids;
- experience using Excel and/or Access worksheets for data entry, checking data
- Project management skills
Working Conditions / Work Schedule Thisis an aquatic laboratory that requires working both indoor and outdoor with live organisms in an environment with significant amounts of flowing water and loud equipment. Monitors an alarm system with multiple alarm points including chlorine, electrical power, water levels, water pressure, UV, temperature and aeration.
Must be on call and available to respond in a timely manner appropriate to the emergency situation (up to 24 hours a day, 5 days a week) should an emergency situation arise.
Pay Method Salary
Pay Period 1st through the last day of the month
Pay Date Last working day of the month
Recommended Full-Time Salary Range $60,000-$70,000
Link to Position Description https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position_descriptions/14475Posting Detail Information
Posting Number P08766UF
Number of Vacancies 1
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 03/01/2025
Anticipated Appointment End DatePosting Date 01/09/2025
Full Consideration DateClosing Date 01/31/2025
Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / External - open to ALL qualified applicants
Special Instructions to Applicants When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:
1) A Curriculum Vitae
2) A Cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.
3) Please respond to the following questions (upload as Other Document 1)
- Please describe your experience in aquatic animal health including development and use of SOPs and standard practices (e.g., blue book)
- Please describe your experience with building or freshwater culture systems management, maintenance, repairs/upgrades
- Please describe your experience developing and maintaining budgets including software for budget tracking and billing
- Please describe your experience collaborating with researchers and organizations.
You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.
- Starting salary within the salary range will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.
For additional information please contact:
Julie Alexander
Julie.alexander@oregonstate.edu
541-737-1849
OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
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. This job has "critical or security-sensitive" responsibilities. If 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.
