Biological Science Technician

Seasonal Plant Ecology / Botany Technicians

Job title: Biological Science Technician, Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center

Dates: Apr-Aug/Sep 2026

Location: Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Burns, Oregon, USA

Number of Positions: 3

Job description

The research unit, led by Dr. Stella Copeland, focuses on applied management questions in grassland and shrubland ecosystems in collaboration with a broad set of managers and other research groups.

Three technician positions will be hired for 5 months from Apr 6-Sep 3 OR Apr 13-Sep 17.

Salaries are 18.00/hr for current undergraduates or $20.00/hr for applicants with a bachelor’s degree.

Technicians will work primarily on field-based research projects focused on restoration success and plant community dynamics in eastern Oregon sagebrush steppe.

Main duties include: field work (outdoors, ~75% of the time) will be identifying plant species, estimating plant abundance, mapping plant occurrence, and collecting bees. Fieldwork may occasionally involve multi-day camping trips in remote areas (~2 weeks total). Some tasks will be indoors such as plant propagation, root sample processing, bee specimen preparation, digitizing field maps, and data entry (~25% of the time).

Opportunities for mentored independent projects involving data analysis of existing datasets are offered to all technicians.

Requirements and Qualifications

Must be able to lift objects that weigh up to 50 pounds and kneel/squat for extended periods of time during field monitoring and for sample collection. Must have a valid state motor vehicle operator’s license and be able to operate motor vehicles. Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions and hike over rugged and steep terrain. Must be a US citizen.

Lower salary level: 2 years of post-high school education including the equivalent of at least 12 semester hours in courses such as botany, ecology, biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, rangeland sciences, natural resource management.

Higher salary level: bachelor’s degree in a related field such as botany, ecology, biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, rangeland sciences, natural resource management OR at least the equivalent of 24 semester hours in the subject areas above.

Desired experience: familiarity with identifying plants and/or collecting scientific data in rangeland and/or dryland settings.

Housing, Schedule, and Salary

Shared housing is provided at no cost at the field station.

Full time, 40 hours/week, Mon-Thu, 10 hours/day.

$18.00 or $20.00 per hour. See above for requirements.