Seed Analyst 2 (Short-Term): OSU Seed Lab

This recruitment will fill one full-time, short-term Seed Analyst 2 position for the Department of Crop and Soil Science's Seed Lab at Oregon State University (OSU). This position is expected to last approximately 6 months.

About the role

Join the OSU Seed Lab as a Seed Purity Analyst 2. As the Official Seed Laboratory for the State of Oregon, the OSU Seed Lab provides testing services that support Oregon's seed industry, seed certification, regulatory programs, and customers throughout the United States and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex purity testing on a wide variety of seed species using microscopes, magnification, precision tools, seed blowers, dividers, balances, and other specialized laboratory equipment.
• Identify and separate seed sample components, including pure seed, other crop seed, weed seed, inert matter, noxious and prohibited weeds, and other contaminants.
• Determine, document, and review test results in accordance with domestic and international seed testing rules, certification standards, regulatory requirements, laboratory procedures, and customer requests.
• Train and provide technical guidance to junior analysts, temporary employees, and student workers in seed identification, purity testing techniques, laboratory procedures, and applicable testing standards.
• Support laboratory quality and customer service by reviewing testing work for accuracy, maintaining clean and contamination-free work areas and equipment, and responding to technical questions regarding testing and reported results.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Three years of full-time experience performing purity, germination, or special tests on seeds such as Bluegrass or Bentgrass seeds and training providing the knowledge of AOSA and SCST rules for testing seeds; OR
• Two years of the above full-time experience and 12 quarter hours of college courses in the plant sciences such as botany, crop science, seed technology, agronomy, etc., and training providing knowledge of AOSA or SCST rules for testing seeds; OR
• A certificate of competency in seed testing from either AOSA or SCST and either 12 quarter hours of college courses in the plant sciences as described above or one year of the above full-time experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous OSU Seed Lab Experience.
• AOSA Certification in purity testing, or certification as a Registered Seed Technologist (RST).
• Working knowledge of AOSA and ISTA Seed Testing Rules and special requirements for Oregon Certified Seed.

Working Conditions

• Analysts will spend the majority of their time in a sitting position looking at seeds using magnification and forceps to manipulate seeds.
• Some work will be performed operating equipment to separate seeds and will require some sitting, standing, and lifting (under 20 lbs).
• Occasionally, special projects may require some outdoor work.
• This position occasionally involves working around fumes, odors, dust, noise, and pesticide chemicals.

Pay

Salary range: $18.05 – $26.20 per hour.

Schedule

Anticipated start date: September 14, 2026
Anticipated end date: March 13, 2027