Opportunities

Graduate Research Positions

Graduate Research Assistantship in Soil Science with Oregon State University

An M.S. or Ph.D. graduate research assistantship is available starting in September 2022 with the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University for evaluating lime application strategies to soils from recently acidified dryland wheat production fields in Eastern Oregon.

The project will provide opportunities to learn how to conduct an effective literature review, collaborate with soil conservationists with NRCS, design impactful lab and greenhouse experiment based on grower input, develop protocols for evaluating lime effects on soil acidity, implement lime application treatments, grow wheat in a greenhouse setting, develop an independent project evaluating minimal-disturbance lime application practices, summarize and statistically analyze study findings, help to develop lime application recommendations for OSU, publish findings in journal articles and extension publications, and present findings to both technical and grower audiences.

• Location: Corvallis, Oregon
• Starting date: September 2022
• Position responsibilities: The student will be expected to work as a teaching assistant in soils, agronomy, or related courses for 1-2 terms per year.
  Salary and tuition: Stipend and tuition will be fully supported by the project as long as the student meets pre-established project, coursework, and publication writing expectations
• Minimum qualifications:
  • Coursework in chemistry and statistics
  • B.S. in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology, Agronomy, Soil Science, Crop Science, or related field
  • M.S. in Soil Science, Agronomy, Crop Science, or related field (for PhD option only).
  • GPA above 3.0
  • Interest in soil science, agronomy, and applied research

For information, contact: Amber Moore, Ph.D., Oregon State University, Extension Soil Fertility Specialist and Associate Professor, Corvallis, Oregon 97330
Phone: 541 737-2870 Email: amber.moore@oregonstate.edu

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Job Postings

9 GS-11 soil scientist positions with NRCS, including one in Salem, OR close 05/10/2022

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/652360600

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We’re hiring a Soil Conservationist (Small/Organic Farm Specialist)!
hiring
This position with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will be located in St. Helens, Oregon. The incumbent assists in developing and carrying out a coordinated natural resources conservation program tailored to customers’ needs and meeting USDA & NRCS requirements. Incumbent provides technical assistance to local government bodies, tribal entities, state & Federal agencies, private landowners, and the general public in the development, application, and maintenance of a coordinated natural resources conservation program. This position will specialize in organic & small farm operations.

Duties for this position include:

Works with landowners and operators, individually and in groups, to develop a wide variety of conservation plans according to established policies and procedures and in accordance with landowners’ decisions.
Under supervision, provides technical assistance to determine need and feasibility of Farm Bill financial assistance and state cost share programs as well as on completion certifies to ensure compliance with Service standards.
Performs necessary follow up to ensure plans are being properly implemented. Assigned work with specific conservation practices; directs site surveys, practice designs, and layout.
Assists with program management, training and quality control for NRCS Farm Bill Programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), Agricultural Land Easement Program Conservation Stewardship Program, etc.
Collects and analyses data necessary to recommend updates to technical guides for use by field offices in administering programs.
Provides administration assistance to the field offices, including property management, maintenance of records, and preparation of administrative reports.
Assists with area reviews, perform program quality checks in accordance with agency policies, and provides training to the field staff for technical practices.
Apply by May 16.

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/652329800?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

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GO Seed is looking for a Research Assistant – $16/hr paid Internship with OSU credits available

 This position will be managed by Dr. Shannon Cappellazzi, the Director of Research at GO Seed and Courtesy Faculty at Oregon State University. Through this position she will teach you how to perform many aspects of agricultural research, including but not limited to collection, processing, and analysis of plant and soil samples in both the lab and the field. You will be trained on several pieces of analytical equipment, carry out manual labor in the field and spend time on mundane tasks such as washing lab dishes. The successful candidate must be an individual that is willing to explore and learn about new strategies related to plant and soil health to help farmers overcome production challenges through cover cropping.

Hours are flexible in the spring 20-40/week available. We are hoping to find someone who will want to move to full time over the summer.

See the position description below for all the details and send Shannon your resume right away!

scappellazzi@goseed.com

Job Description- Research Assistant at GO Seed

What sets us apart:
GO Seed – We have an amazing team that works hard to provide innovative, regenerative, and earth-saving products. We offer a fun and supportive work culture (and office dogs!) and a great staff to partner with and learn from. We hire great people and empower them so that they can grow as individuals and excel at their position. Presently, there is an opportunity for the right person to join our team as a Research Assistant with time split between the field and lab work in Salem and Corvallis.
This position will be managed by Dr. Shannon Cappellazzi, the Director of Research at GO Seed and Courtesy Faculty at Oregon State University. Through this position she will teach you how to perform many aspects of agricultural research, including but not limited to collection, processing, and analysis of plant and soil samples in both the lab and the field. You will be trained on several pieces of analytical equipment, carry out manual labor in the field and spend time on mundane tasks such as washing lab dishes. The successful candidate must be an individual that is willing to explore and learn about new strategies related to soil health and plant production that might be applicable to our business.
What sets you apart:

You are an individual that:

• Loves working with people and being part of a committed team.
• Enthusiastically embraces challenges.
• Thrives on learning and achieving goals.
• Is creative, yet meticulous, and wants to be engaged in meaningful work that will have a real-
  world impact on the future.
• Is willing to collaborate with teammates to analyze opportunities.
  Requirements of the Successful Candidate:
• Interest in research related to soil health including the novel use of cover crops, perennials and
  grass varieties to enhance soil’s capacity to function.
• Willing to work outside in occasional inclement weather and operate field equipment.
• Enjoy working with others to meet common goals.
• A strong work ethic and possess a deep desire to make the world a better place.
• Willingness to learn, question, and delve into new topics
• A strong desire to gain and disseminate knowledge.
• A desire to be part of a team that is improving the sustainability of agriculture.
• Strong organizational skills and focus to complete projects in a timely fashion and support
  others to facilitate the completion of research projects.

The Research Assistant will:

• Be trained on all procedures they are expected to carry out
• Follow the standard operating procedures as described
• Participate in plant and soil sampling
• Independently run analytical machines
• Perform routine maintenance of laboratory equipment
• Take field measurements at regular intervals
• Assess and monitor field and laboratory experiments
• Keep work areas clean and organized
• Participate in research activities which may include nitrogen mineralization and fixation, soil gas
  exchange, the capacity of roots to break soil barriers, plant-microbial interactions, development
  of seed coatings utilizing microbes, and carbon sequestration.

Details and Expectations:

• Work with the research team to complete goals in a timely fashion
• Work both independently and collaboratively to complete research projects in a timely
  manner.
• Communicate to others the results of the research activities in an easy-to-understand manner.
• Take measurements at research plots in greenhouse, labs, and field trials in Salem and Corvallis
• Work together with others within GO Seed as needed to help execute the overall mission and
  vision of the company.
• Identify and strategize to help develop new market opportunities.
• Consistently look for ways to set the bar higher in all aspects of the position.

If reading about this opportunity excites you, we would love to hear from you! Please send, along with your C.V. and resume, a cover letter explaining why you would be a good addition to our team and why you are interested in improving the sustainability of agriculture.

Job Type: Part-time – expected about 20 hours per week during school. Potential to increase to full-time over summer.
Hourly wage: $16/hr
Starting Date: As soon as possible. It would be ideal if you could start before the end of the month.

About GO Seed

We are in Salem, Oregon with research projects spread throughout the country. When we started the company 22 years ago our mission was “to provide novel solutions for growing concerns.”  Improving sustainability has been at the forefront of our minds since day one.  As the leading company in developing sustainable cover crop, forage, and turf solutions, we are ready to step up our game.  Are you the teammate that we need to take it to the next level?  For more information about the company go to www.goseed.com

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