Pro Tem Research Assistant

Pro Tem Research Assistant

Department: Institute of Ecology and
Evolution

Rank: Research Assistant

Annual Basis: 12 Month

Review of Applications Begins

November 20, 2026; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure consideration, complete applications must include the
following along with the online application:

• A cover letter highlighting how your knowledge, skills, and

experience qualify you and your interest for the position.

• A resume of your professional work experience, education, and

prior research experience.

The online application includes the name and contact information of
at least three professional references. The candidate will be
notified prior to references being contacted.

Department Summary

The Institute of Ecology and Evolution (IE²) is a research
institute that reports to the Vice President for Research and
Innovation. We have 22 labs and approximately 150 employees,
including 50 graduate students who train in our labs. We have an
administrative structure, which includes accounting, purchasing,
personnel, and PI support.

Position Summary

This Research Assistant position will involve a mix of hands-on
research working with live plants in the UO greenhouse, molecular
genetic work in the laboratory, and laboratory maintenance duties.
The purpose of this position is to support the efforts of the
Streisfeld lab, as well as independently (under the direction of
Dr. Streisfeld), to make high-impact discoveries in the field of
evolutionary biology.

The essential responsibilities will be to help maintain the
functions of the Streisfeld lab, while also designing and
conducting experiments, interpreting data, training other
researchers in the laboratory, and maintaining laboratory
equipment. The hire will have constant contact with other lab
researchers (undergraduate and graduate students, and postdocs) and
with Dr. Streisfeld. This person will make independent decisions
about how to set up experiments for DNA isolation, genome
sequencing, gene expression, and genetic crossing for studies of
plant evolution. This may require referring to the scientific
literature or asking other lab members. They will also make
decisions about how to troubleshoot experiments that are not
working, how to present data, how to care for equipment and
reagents, and how to formulate and address key questions in their
research. These decisions are important and could impact the
efficiency of research in the Streisfeld lab, as well as its
scientific direction. Because the experiments could be published in
scientific journals and funded by the federal government, job-level
decisions can also have an impact on the success of the University
of Oregon, the National Science Foundation, and the federal funding
of basic research. Judgment should, therefore, be executed with
commensurate responsibility. At a minimum, the Research Assistant
will meet with the laboratory principal investigator once per week.
The guideline for job-related decisions will be to maximize
scientific impact and experimental efficiency of the Streisfeld lab
and of the hire's own research project.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or related field.
• One year of experience working in a biology research

laboratory.

Professional Competencies

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with molecular biology, including DNA and RNA

isolation, genome library preparation, gene expression.

• Experience working with plants in a greenhouse setting.
• Training in botany, plant ecology, evolution, or genetics.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful
completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits
package to eligible employees, including health insurance,
retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about
benefits, visit our
website.

The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution
committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans
with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified
individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any
protected status, including veteran and disability status. The
University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to
applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an
accommodation in connection with the application process, please
email us or call
541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion,
national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender
expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions),
age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including
family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship,
service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state
law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of
leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities
and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable
laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy.
Questions may be referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity and
Access. Contact information, related policies, and complaint
procedures are listed
here.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares
an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and
services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is
available
online.

To apply, visit https://careers.uoregon.edu/en-us/job/537129

je-ce09e0c761914b4da4307fe6170f1cc7