Natural Resources Job Board

Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Science, Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Newport, Oregon

We are seeking one graduate student (MS) to work in collaboration with academic and federal partners to determine early predictive traits of product success. This project will leverage an ongoing selective breeding program of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. 

Predictive phenotyping or ‘phenomics’ seeks to improve efficiency with which desirable traits (i.e. survival, biotic/abiotic tolerance, etc.) are detected, as grow-out using standard cultivation methods is both labor and time intensive.  Streamlining discrimination of advantageous traits can accelerate and economize the progress of aquaculture breeding programs.

The student will execute experiments in a functional oyster hatchery and collect specimens to quantify catalysts, metabolites, and products of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism in whole organisms and homogenized tissues. Facilitated by mentorship of the academic advisor, the student will be responsible for data management and analysis (using open-source notebook and data repositories), biannual presentation of project progress and findings at industry-centered conferences, and submission for peer-reviewed publication. 

A general background in cellular biology and bioenergetics is required. Candidates with prior benchwork, research, and/or commercial industry experience (oyster farm, hatchery, etc.) are preferred. 

A tentative start date for winter term 2026 advised by Dr. Samuel Gurr.

Required Qualifications: 

- B.S. in biology, marine science, aquaculture, or related field

- GPA minimum 3.0 (>3.5 preferred)

- Enthusiastic, motivated, and self-sufficient

- Strong verbal and written communication skills 

- Experience in basic laboratory techniques, good organizational skills, and attention to detail 

- Ability to work independently and as a productive member of a research team 

Preferred Qualifications: 

- Experience in both sterile benchwork and wet lab environments for the handling and processing of biological samples 

- Adept in following, troubleshooting, and writing iterative standard operating procedures for complex tasks

- Experience programming in R (data carpentry, statistics, visualization)

- Experience using version control systems for data management

- Background or interest in selective breeding, energetics, and evolutionary genetics

- Experience working in/or communicating with aquaculture industry 

Start Date: Winter or Fall 2026 

Application Deadline: open until filled

To Apply: Please send the following materials via email to Samuel Gurr (samuel.gurr@oregonstate.edu) 

(1) Cover letter describing qualifications, career goals, and academic interests

(2) CV with contact information for three references

(3) unofficial transcript(s)