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Position Details

Position Information

Department Forest Ecosyst & Society (FOR)

Position Title Faculty Research Assistant

Job Title Faculty Research Assistant (Forest Ecosystems & Society)

Appointment Type Academic Faculty

Job Location Corvallis

Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible

Remote or Hybrid option?

Job Summary

The Department of Forest Ecosystems and Soceity 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 will participate in research projects and provide technical expertise and assistance to support forest management in the Blue Mountain Ecoregion, including determination of what prescribed fire regimes are most effective in achieving desired restoration, timber, vegetation, and fuel outcomes in dry ponderosa pine forests in the long-term, and if and how these outcomes vary based on season and frequency of burn. Additional projects include 1) developing postfire information for restoration and forest recovery planning initiatives and management-related research needs within several fires across Oregon, Washington and California, 2) developing tools to predict post-fire vegetation state changes, and 3) improving restoration outcomes for vegetation in productive Douglas-fir forests, including mitigating invasive plants. Work will be focused on collecting data in the field and plant identification, conducting QA/QC of biological and ecological datasets, entering and managing data in Excel and Access, summarization and analysis of datasets in R, creating meta-data for archival datasets, co-authoring research papers, conducting literature reviews, and presenting findings at conferences and meetings. The incumbent will also maintain relationships with local forest managers, including frequent communications to maintain a research co-production approach to each project.

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

•7cultural resource centers (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/work-life/diversity-and-cultural-resources) 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:https://oregonstate.edu/about

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 acomprehensive benefits package (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/prospective-employee) 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.

Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principles of a Health Promoting University. This commitment drives a collaborative approach across OSU’s safety and well-being programs, reducing silos and coordinating efforts to enhance employee safety and well-being. By prioritizing resources that support the health of both employees and students, OSU fosters a culture of care and a healthier campus environment where everyone can thrive.

Future and current OSU employees can use theBenefits Calculator (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/new-employees/benefits-calculator) to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU .

Key Responsibilities

Enter, clean, analyze, interpret, and present research findings to supervisor and collaborators (50%)

Conduct ecological field work for the wide variety of studies stated above; requiring driving between field site locations (25%)

Prepare for ecological field work, including logistics, GIS support, testing of equipment, and developing appropriate protocols (10%)

Contribute as co-author to papers, conduct literature reviews (15%)

What You Will Need

+ MS in rangeland ecology or dry forest ecology with emphasis on fire and invasion ecology

+ Experience in field-based experimental design and statistical analysis of long-term ecological and vegetation datasets

+ Experience conducting ecological field research in rangeland ecosystems and forested rangelands

+ Experience analyzing post-disturbance vegetation data (fire, thinning)

+ Basic GIS skills and ability to use ArcGIS

+ A record of publishing scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and experience presenting scientific findings at meetings

+ Demonstrated botanical skills including using dichotomous keys, field-based plant identification, knowledge of the plants of Pacific Northwest rangelands and forests including exotic plant species and noxious weeds

+ Strong presentation skills and the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with diverse stakeholders including land managers

+ WIldland Fire Incident Qualification (https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fire/wildland-fire-incident-qualifications.htm) (Red Card certification) by date of hire.

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

+ Strong organizational skills and the ability to balance multiple projects simultaneously

+ Experience with fire risk models

+ Experience developing novel research ideas, questions, and approaches

+ Senior authorship of scientific papers

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

Work will be performed in an office environment. Summer field work may be required.

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 Salary is commensurate with education, training, and experience.

Link to Position Description

https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position\_descriptions/174693

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number P09563UF

Number of Vacancies 1

Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 01/05/2026

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Posting Date 11/18/2025

Full Consideration Date

Closing Date 11/25/2025

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; and

2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.

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.

For additional information please contact:

Meg Krawchuk

[email protected]

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. 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 ourBackground Checks (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/background-checks) website including thefor candidates (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/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 [email protected].

Supplemental Questions

Read More at: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/174713

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.