Technical Assistant - Raco/LeBoldus

Oregon State University, United States

Updated: 2 days ago
Location: Corvallis, OREGON
Deadline: 30 Apr 2024

Position Details
Position Information


Job Title Technical Assistant - Raco/LeBoldus
Appointment Type Student Employee
Job Location Corvallis
Position Appointment Percent 100
Appointment Basis 12
Pay Method Hourly
Pay Period 16th - 15th of the following month
Pay Date Last working day of the month
Remote or Hybrid option?
Min Hourly Rate $14.20 (Standard); $13.20 (Non-Urban); $15.45 (Portland Metro)
Max Hourly Rate $21.00 (Standard); $18.50 (Non-Urban); $21.50 (Portland Metro)
Position Summary
This recruitment will be used to fill two part-time (a maximum of 24 hours per week) Lab Assistant for the Ag Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University (OSU).
The Department of Botany and Plant Pathology LeBoldus laboratory is seeking dependable students to work as laboratory assistants in the field of plant pathology and molecular biology. Lab Assistant will be working on projects related to viruses in plant pathogens.
Duties include preparing media for culturing, centrifugation, DNA/RNA quantification, gel electrophoresis, arrays, data entry, conducting research activities in the lab, and in the greenhouse, dishwashing and lab maintenance. The students may assist lab personnel with research projects including isolation of nucleic acids (DNA/RNA), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), synthesis of complementary DNA (cDNA) from RNA, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and other molecular biology techniques, depending on the students’ ability to meet/exceed the expectations of this position.
The successful applicants must be able to follow instructions, be comfortable with basic chemistry (calculating molarity, dilutions, and converting between units), be familiar with basic techniques used in molecular biology (isolation of nucleic acids, PCR and gel electrophoresis), and be willing to commit at least 12-16 hours (max. 24 hours) a week during the 9 month academic year and up to 40 hours a week during the summer. This position includes some weekend watering duties.
Position Duties
  • 40% Molecular biology: Gel electrophoresis, DNA/RNA extraction and quantification, PCR, cDNA
  • 30% Making solutions and media
  • 10% Data entry
  • 10% Maintenance of plants in growth chambers and greenhouses
  • 10% General laboratory upkeep and dishwashing
Minimum Qualifications
Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: http://fa.oregonstate.edu/stu-manual/500-employment-eligibility-requirements

  • 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 standard
    • High School student: Regularly enrolled in a high school or participating in a home-schooling program
    • Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate student: 6 credit hours per term
    • Undergraduate international student: 12 credit hours per term*
    • Graduate student officially admitted to Graduate School: 5 credit hours per term
    • Graduate 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 Office of International Services (OIS), and must be provided to the Student Employment Center.
Additional Required Qualifications
  • Undergraduate student majoring in Botany, Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology or closely related subject
  • Ability to follow written and/or verbal instructions
  • Familiarity with basic chemistry (molarity, dilutions, unit conversion, etc), and basic molecular biology techniques (DNA/RNA extraction, electrophoresis, PCR)
  • Ability to work independently after receiving training


Successful applicants must be comfortable working in a research lab. Use of an autoclave is required. Proper protective equipment and training will be provided. This position requires 12-24 hours per week during the school year, with the potential for hours in the summer. Work hours are flexible during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.
Preferred (Special) Qualifications
  • Well-organized and attentive to detail. 
  • Strong work ethic.
  • Demonstrated excellence in academic coursework.
  • Interest in virology.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule

Posting Detail Information


Posting Number P10887SE
Number of Vacancies
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 04/15/2024
Anticipated Appointment End Date
Posting Date 03/27/2024
Full Consideration Date
Closing Date 04/30/2024
Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / Student - open to ALL qualified/eligible students
Special Instructions to Applicants
When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:
1. A Resume/Vita
2. A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position
For additional information please contact: Jared LeBoldus at [email protected]
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.
Note: All job offers are contingent upon Human Resources final approval.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

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