Faculty Research Assistant (Internal Employment Opportunity)

Faculty Research Assistant (Internal Employment Opportunity) Oregon State University, United States 1 day ago

Location:

Corvallis, OREGON

Deadline:

12 Jun 2026 Position Details Position Information Department Integrative Biology (SZO) Position Title Faculty Research Assistant Job Title Faculty Research Assistant (Internal Employment Opportunity) Appointment Type Academic Faculty Job Location Corvallis Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible Remote or Hybrid option? Job Summary This is an Internal Employment Opportunity. The Department of Integrative Biology 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. The appointee will work with Dr. Virginia Weis as part of a project aimed at improving coral survival during bleaching through a biotechnology driven approach. Coral bleaching, driven by climate-induced heat stress, disrupts the vital symbiosis between corals and their microalgal partners. We are developing a biotechnology-driven solution: biohybrid microalgae, algal symbionts that are temporarily functionalized with biocompatible nanoparticles designed to mimic the molecular signals used in coral-symbiont recognition. Our approach integrates molecular biology, material science, and coral physiology to mitigate bleaching and speed up coral recovery. The algae are temporarily coated with nanoparticles presenting glycan ligands, which act as molecular "keys" to unlock symbiont uptake pathways in corals. This temporarily hijacks the coral's natural recognition system, increasing symbiont acquisition and retention. Additionally, the nanoparticles are loaded with reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers to provide immediate cellular protection during heat stress. This temporary, non-toxic coating enhances the performance of native algal partners without introducing genetically modified or non-native organisms—an advantage for regulatory compliance and future field use. The appointee will work to validate this system through laboratory experiments using established model organism, the sea anemone Aiptasia before collaborators at Scripps Institution of Oceanography will it in corals. These insights will guide the iterative optimization of nanoparticle formulations and coating strategies for different algal strains. The result will be a scalable, transferable platform technology: a molecularly informed nanoparticle-based coating system that enhances algal uptake by corals and supports bleaching recovery.

About Oregon State University College of Science:

The College of Science comprises 16 academic departments and programs that offer 17 disciplinary degrees, containing 45 options among them, as well as 11 preprofessional options. Science is one of the university's largest academic units with approximately 300 faculty, 465 graduate students, 2796 undergraduate students, and 100 management service and classified personnel. The College of Science provides a core instructional role at Oregon State University (OSU), supporting the ideals of learning, discovery, and engagement that are the foundation of a land-grant university. The College embraces instruction and research, in disciplines ranging from the physical, mathematical, statistical sciences to the life sciences that are based in unbiased inquiry and a dedication to discovery and innovation. The College of Science is committed to partnering with industry and public agencies to address some of the most compelling challenges of today and tomorrow. The College of Science is an essential partner for three of the university's world-class research centers, namely the Linus Pauling Institute, the Hatfield Marine Science Center, and the Center for Quantitative Life Sciences. OSU is also home to large regionally and nationally important vertebrate research collections that include fish, reptiles/amphibians, birds and mammals. OSU is one of only two American universities to hold the Land Grant, Sea Grant, Space Grant, and Sun Grant designation and is a Carnegie Doctoral/Research-Extensive university. OSU is located in Corvallis, a community of 57,000 people situated in the Willamette Valley between Portland and Eugene. Ocean beaches, lakes, rivers, forests, high desert, and the rugged Cascade and Coast Ranges are all within a 100-mile drive of Corvallis. Approximately 25,700 undergraduate and 4,700 graduate students are enrolled at OSU, with US students of color, first generation college students, and international students representing 25%, 23%, and 11% of the student population, respectively. The university has an institution-wide commitment to inclusive excellence, recognizing that success in all our endeavors is dependent on, and directly tied to, equitable access to opportunities and how we value, engage, and include the rich diversity within our community. There is an expectation that employees will support and model these shared fundamental values. OSU's commitment to student success includes hiring, retaining, and developing diverse faculty to mentor and educate our undergraduate and graduate students from entry through graduation. This commitment is reflected in OSU's membership in the University Innovation Alliance, a national network of 11 public universities with a shared mission of increasing graduation rates across the socioeconomic spectrum. 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 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
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: oregonstate/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 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.

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. 2025 Best Place for Working Parents® Designation! 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 45% Animal and algal culture care. 35% Laboratory experiments on Aiptasia. 15% Data analysis. 5% Other assigned duties. What You Will Need Bachelors degree in a life science such as Biology. 1 year experience working in a research laboratory setting. Experience working with Aiptasia Experience using R and Image J Ability to foster an inclusive research environment and maintain a commitment to inclusive excellence. 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. What We Would Like You to Have Experience working with algal cultures Working Conditions / Work Schedule The work environment will be a research laboratory that includes a culture room that contains sea anemones and algae in culture. Weekend and/or evening work may be occasionally required if specific animal care needs fall during these times, and is considered an essential part of the role if this critical need arises. 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 $48,000 - $55,000 Link to Position Description jobs.oregonstate/position_descriptions/180645 Posting Detail Information Posting Number

P09974UF

Number of Vacancies 1 Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 07/06/2026 Anticipated Appointment End Date Posting Date 06/05/2026 Full Consideration Date Closing Date 06/12/2026 Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / Internal Special Instructions to Applicants This is an Internal Employment Opportunity. When ing you will be required to attach the following electronic documents: 1) A resume/CV; and 2) A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. 3) Statement of Research 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: Tara Bevandich at Tara.

Bevandichoregonstate or 541-737-5336 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.). ground check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our ground 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.relationsoregonstate .