Microbiology Lab Technician (2024-2025)

Position Summary

This recruitment will be used to fill multiple part-time (a maximum of 20 hours per week) Student Technical Assistant positions for the Department of Microbiology at Oregon State University (OSU).

This position works with graduate students and research associates to provide support for molecular assays and invertebrate sorting and identification.

Position Duties Responsibilities include but are not limited to :

• Sorting and identifying tiny (3-5mm) freshwater invertebrates from stream samples under a dissecting microscope
• DNA extraction and purification
• Answering phone and photocopying
• Data entry
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for M. speciosa and C. Shasta

Minimum Qualifications Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here :

• 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 standardHigh School student : Regularly enrolled in a high school or participating in a home-schooling programUndergraduate and post-baccalaureate student : 6 credit hours per termUndergraduate international student : 12 credit hours per term*Graduate student officially admitted to Graduate School : 5 credit hours per termGraduate 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 (OIS), and must be provided to the Student Employment Center. Additional Required Qualifications

• Previous experience with dissecting microscope is required.
• Preference will be given to folks that can identify Manayunkia speciosa.
• Finalists for this position will be required to pass an invertebrate identification test.

Preferred (Special) Qualifications

• The ideal candidate for this position possesses experience in sorting freshwater aquatic invertebrates with identification skills specific to the Annelida.
• A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
• Hours are flexible : students may work between 6-24 hours per week

Working Conditions / Work Schedule Students staffed in this position will be expected to work weekly hours using a dissecting microscope and to effectively record and communicate results.

Anticipated 15 hours per week.