Faculty Research Assistant: Microbiology (Aquatic Animal Health)

Job Details

The Department of Microbiology invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE ), 12-month, fixed-term Faculty Research Assistant: Microbiology (Aquatic Animal Health) position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head.

The Faculty Research Assistant will support the Principal Investigator’s research program in the Department of Microbiology, College of Science at Oregon State University. This position is essential to maintaining ongoing research investigating parasitic, bacterial, and viral diseases affecting salmonids and zebrafish—work critical to understanding aquatic animal health in the Pacific Northwest and supporting collaborative partnerships with tribal nations and natural resource agencies. The FRA will ensure the daily operations of zebrafish vivarium and salmonid research populations, conduct molecular diagnostics and pathogen characterization, participate in field sample collection, and contribute to scientific communication through manuscripts and presentations. This role is vital to the research program’s capacity to train students, maintain IACUC compliance, respond to emergency situations affecting animal welfare, and advance the laboratory’s mission of conducting community-engaged research on infectious diseases impacting economically and culturally significant fish populations.

Key Responsibilities

Animal Care & Husbandry (50%)

Maintain zebrafish vivarium operations including daily health monitoring, water quality management, breeding colony maintenance, and system troubleshooting. Maintain salmonid populations for transmission experiments and research studies. Monitor fish health and welfare across species in compliance with OSU IACUC and BioSafety requirements. Oversee care across multiple facilities including zebrafish vivarium, Fish Disease Hall, Aquatic Animal Health Laboratory, and associated facilities. Coordinate with Facilities staff regarding system maintenance, repairs, and infrastructure needs. Respond to emergency situations including equipment failures, water system issues, power outages, and flooding events. Order and manage laboratory supplies, feed, and materials.

Research & Laboratory Operations (30%)

Perform necropsies on fish and isolate pathogens, including those that may infect humans. Characterize parasitic, bacterial, and viral pathogens using phenotypic and molecular methods ( PCR , qPCR, histology, microscopy, cell culture). Participate in field sample collection at off-site locations including hatcheries, rivers, tribal facilities, and public collection sites. Process and archive biological samples according to laboratory protocols. Maintain and troubleshoot laboratory equipment including thermocyclers, microscopes, and aquatic system components. Analyze molecular and epidemiological data using appropriate software and bioinformatics tools. Assist with experimental design, data collection, and statistical analysis. Maintain accurate records and contribute to research documentation. Assist with IACUC protocol maintenance, amendments, and compliance documentation.

Supervision & Training (10%)

Provide guidance and training to undergraduate and graduate students working with fish. Train personnel on proper equipment use and maintenance. Ensure lab safety compliance and proper technique among trainees. Coordinate student schedules for animal care coverage.

Scientific Communication & Scholarship (10%)

Contribute to manuscript development including data visualization, methods documentation, and literature review. Assist with manuscript preparation, editing, and revision processes. Support preparation of grant applications, progress reports, and research presentations. Contribute to research presentations and posters for scientific conferences and community meetings. Maintain organized datasets and documentation to facilitate publication. Travel to conferences and workshops for continued professional development and dissemination of research findings.

Requirements

What You Will Need

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a discipline appropriate to the field in which research is being conducted (e.g., biology, microbiology, fisheries, aquaculture, veterinary science, or related fields)
• Experience with basic molecular techniques ( DNA / RNA extraction, PCR )
• Ability to respond to emergencies outside regular business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Current, valid Driver’s License that must be maintained throughout employment
• BSL -2 (Biosafety Level 2) training or ability to complete upon hire
• Ability to work both on main campus and at off-site facilities as needed
• Physical ability to perform animal husbandry duties including lifting supplies, standing for extended periods, and responding to emergency situations

What We Would Like You To Have

• Master’s degree in biology, microbiology, fisheries, aquaculture, or related discipline
• Formal training in fish husbandry, fisheries, and/or aquaculture
• Experience maintaining fish in experiments, performing fish necropsy procedures, and establishing/conducting in vivo transmission studies with fish
• Experience with advanced molecular diagnostic techniques, including qPCR, gel electrophoresis, sequence analysis, and assay optimization
• Experience with bioinformatics tools, sequence analysis software, or statistical analysis programs
• Experience with bacteriology culture and biochemical identifications
• Experience with zebrafish husbandry systems and breeding colony management
• Experience with aquatic animal health management and disease diagnostics
• Familiarity with diverse aquatic pathogen groups (parasites, bacteria, viruses)
• Experience with field sample collection and processing in aquatic environments
• Experience with community-engaged research, tribal partnerships, or collaborative projects with natural resource agencies
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information to diverse audiences, including community partners, agency personnel, and tribal representatives
• Experience contributing to peer-reviewed publications or technical reports
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Willingness to travel for professional development and research dissemination

Contact Information

129

Full Consideration Date 02/11/2026
Closing Date 03/13/2026

https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/176543/pre_apply