Faculty Research Assistant: Openly Published Environmental Sensing Lab

Position Information

The Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering invites applications for a part-time (0.50 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Faculty Research Assistant position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the Department Head. This position resides in Oregon State University’s Department of Biological & Ecological Engineering’s Openly Published Environmental Sensing Lab (open-sensing.org) under the guidance of Dr. Chet Udell and Dr. John Selker. The OPEnS Lab is at the forefront of pioneering research and innovation in open-source hardware and environmental sensing. Our mission is to create accessible and cutting-edge technology solutions that empower researchers, educators, and communities worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Student Mentorship and Design Review: Coordinate with student teams to review and guide electronic system designs, including analog and digital circuits, embedded systems, sensor integration, and power systems. Conduct regular design reviews and provide actionable feedback to support high-quality design practices. Guide students in component selection, datasheet interpretation, and system-level decision-making. Evaluate power consumption and support development of energy budgets to ensure reliable system performance. Provide recommendations to improve designs and require revisions when necessary to ensure readiness for fabrication and implementation. Support iteration and improvement of systems based on feedback from student teams and observed performance outcomes.
• Troubleshooting and Diagnostic Support: Diagnose and troubleshoot electronic systems, including circuit, layout, and system integration issues. Provide hands-on support.

Why OSU?

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job! Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

Position Summary

The incumbent will support the design, development, and validation of electronic (embedded, analog, and digital) systems across lab projects, with a primary focus on mentoring student teams and ensuring high-quality design practices. Responsibilities include reviewing and advising on analog and digital circuit designs, PCB layouts, embedded systems integration, and power systems, including solar and battery-based applications. The incumbent will provide guidance on component selection, datasheet interpretation, and system-level design decisions, and will support the evaluation of power consumption and development of energy budgets to ensure reliable system performance. Seeking feedback from student teams on design performance and issues discovered in lab and field trials to iterate and improve systems is expected. The incumbent’s technical expertise, problem-solving ability, and communication skills will be essential in supporting effective design processes across multiple teams. At times the incumbent may be asked to design electronic systems independently from student teams. The incumbent will work closely with student teams to conduct regular design reviews, provide hands-on troubleshooting support, and guide the development of structured diagnostic approaches. The incumbent will assist in identifying and resolving circuit, layout, and system integration issues, and will provide feedback to help ensure designs are ready for fabrication and deployment. The incumbent will support the development of training materials and best-practice guidelines, and will help establish and reinforce design standards and workflows while maintaining a learning-focused environment. The incumbent will also support and advise the maintenance and improvement of electronics lab infrastructure, including tools, testing equipment, and design environments, and will assist in maintaining organized and consistent design file repositories across projects. All duties include working with diverse student populations, including ethnic minorities, older than average students, students with disabilities, and those enrolled from remote areas, some of which are outside the U.S. Important aspects of the work include frequent interaction with students and faculty, strong attention to detail, and the ability to balance technical rigor with mentorship in a dynamic academic and research environment. There is an expectation that, as part of your role in the college, you embody and advance the principles and practices conveyed in the CAS CARE Commitment document.

Benefits

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire. OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at employee.relations@oregonstate.edu.