Dry Farm Student Research Assistant

Oregon State University, United States

Updated: about 22 hours ago
Location: Corvallis, OREGON
Deadline: 13 Apr 2026

Position Details
Position Information


Job Title Dry Farm Student Research Assistant
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 $15.05 (Standard); $14.05 (Non-Urban); $16.30 (Portland Metro)
Max Hourly Rate $21.50 (Standard); $19.50 (Non-Urban); $22.00 (Portland Metro)
Position Summary
This recruitment will be used to fill one part-time (a maximum of 20 hours per week during academic terms and a maximum of 40 hours per week during academic breaks) student research assistant positions for the OSU Dry Farming Project. 
The hired students will primarily assist in dry-farmed tomato field experiments at the OSU Vegetable Research Farm, Lewis-Brown Farm, and several other on-farm research sites. Additional research projects will include dry-farmed corn and melon production. 
These positions are intended to provide the candidates with work and research experience. Students with farm and garden experience and an interest in horticulture or agriculture are encouraged to apply.
Transferable Skill Development
OSU is committed to ensuring students are prepared for success after graduation through intentional skill development as student employees. The competencies students develop while working at OSU are defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as the essential skills employers seek in their hires. In this position, students learn and build vital career-readiness skills in the primary areas below:
Critical Thinking, Teamwork, Technology
Position Duties
  • The Student Research Assistants will be expected to:
  • Start work on May 1st and work until October 30th
  • Be available to work all summer long
  • Install field experiments, including plot layout, planting, moisture sensor installation, and the application of treatments (e.g. fertilization, mulching, compost application, staking)
  • Maintain field experiments, including hand and tractor weeding and pruning
  • Post information on project activities to social media
  • Staff public field day events
  • Collect harvest data, including weekly tomato yield data (counts and weights of marketable and unmarketable fruit)
  • Collect soil moisture data
  • Collect plant physiology data, including mid-day leaf water potential and leaf stomatal conductance.
  • Perform post-harvest processing, including measurements of tomato soluble solids concentration and penetration resistance
  • Collect and process soil samples and root length density samples
  • Lead sensory evaluations of melons and tomatoes
  • Work full days in the field under varied field conditions, including extreme heat and rain.
  • Lift and carry 35 pound bins all day
  • Assist with other projects if necessary
Minimum Qualifications
Full Employment Eligibility Requirements can be found here: https://hr.oregonstate.edu/student-employment-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
The ideal candidates for this position are:
  • Reliable – shows up to work on time every day
  • Detail-oriented
  • An efficient worker
  • Interested in horticulture
  • Self-motivated
  • Capable of performing physically strenuous labor in inclement weather
  • A good verbal and written communicator
  • Flexible – can take on new assignments or challenges as they arise
  • Have a driver’s license and a safe driving record
Preferred (Special) Qualifications
  • Experience working on farms and/or in research-based field work
  • Experience using scientific equipment
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
The work schedule will be adjusted to accommodate the student’s course work. Student research assistants can anticipate no more than 20 hours/week during the school year and no more than 40 hours/week during academic breaks. Week long vacations are not possible during the peak of harvest season (August and September). 1-2 day increments of time off may be arranged in advance
Work will be conducted at OSU Vegetable Research Farm and at other on-farm research sites. Expect the schedule for the year to include:
  • May – Lay out and planting of field experiments (1-3 days/week)
  • June – Weeding and maintenance of field experiments and processing samples (3-5 days/week)
  • July – Weeding, harvesting, and maintenance of field experiments, processing samples, and collect plant physiology data (5 days/week)
  • August – Harvesting and maintenance of field experiment, conducting sensory evaluation, processing samples, and collect plant physiology data (5 days/week)
  • September – Harvesting and maintenance of field experiment, conducting sensory evaluation, processing samples, and collect plant physiology data (5 days/week)
  • October – Post-field season tasks (clean up, etc.) and processing samples (1-3 days/week)

Posting Detail Information


Posting Number P13038SE
Number of Vacancies 1
Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 05/01/2026
Anticipated Appointment End Date 10/30/2026
Posting Date 04/03/2026
Full Consideration Date 04/13/2026
Closing Date 04/13/2026
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: Matthew Davis at davisma3@oregonstate.edu
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.
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 OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
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 Voluntary and Compulsory Driver Standards OSU Standard 125-155-0200) as per OSU Standard 576-056-0000 et seq.
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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