Position: Lab Assistant

Year/Term: Summer 2026

Area of Study: Aquatic Invasive Species Surveys and Research

Position Overview:

The Center for Lakes and Reservoirs at Portland State University is hiring lab assistants to complete tasks in support of early detection monitoring of aquatic invasive mussels (particularly Dreissena spp.), snails, crayfish, and invasive plants in Oregon. This position will include decontaminating and preparing equipment, lab identification of samples collected during field surveys, shipping samples, handling hazardous chemicals (Concentrated Acetic acid, Hydrochloric acid, Ethanol, Virkon Aquatic, TRIS hydrochloride), and limited field surveys completed at waterbodies in the Portland metro area. This position is excellent for gaining experience as an entry level job for field sampling, lab analysis, and research in aquatic systems.

Position Details:

The position will be based out of Portland State University and entail laboratory work and local field work associated with aquatic plant and invertebrate species. This will mainly require work in the CLR microscope laboratory at Portland State University analyzing field samples, performing plant and mollusc ID, and performing routine laboratory tasks. Some weeks will consist of a mix of laboratory work and local field work. Field work will consist of visiting sites to perform Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) surveys at local waterbodies (lakes and rivers). All sampling, local or Oregon-wide, will be performed in teams of two (typical) or more. AIS surveys include many different techniques that will be learned during the initial training at the start of the position. Survey techniques include shoreline walks, dock pat downs, rake tosses, deployment of crayfish traps, petite ponar sediment sample collections, solid substrate deployment, veliger tows, YSI measurements for water quality parameters, and eDNA sample collection. Lab assistants will not work more than 20 hours per week.

Lab Assistant must have training or experience demonstrating:

• knowledge of basic laboratory techniques;
• knowledge of laboratory terminology, equipment, and materials;
• knowledge of basic math
• ability to follow formulas accurately
• ability to handle, package, and store laboratory specimens and materials;
• ability to operate and maintain standard laboratory equipment;
• ability to learn routing testing methods, procedures, and techniques;
• ability to keep accurate records in conformance with laboratory procedures; and
• ability to follow written and verbal instructions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A degree in biological or physical science or enrollment in a college-level degree program.
• Attention to detail and note taking during meetings and in the field
• Basic computer skills (word processing, simple spreadsheets, navigation apps…)
• Comfortable around water and dirty conditions (in a boat, wading in shallow water, walking over uneven terrain near water, working on a dock over water, reaching into standing water from a dock or boat, mud, periods of time without access to running water…)
• Ability to get along with crew members during laboratory and field work

Preferred Qualifications (not required but will be helpful for this position):

• Experience conducting field surveys
• Experience using GPS and navigation programs
• Field data collection and management using Survey123 or similar program
• Practice and experience hauling trailers and backing them up
• Practice and experience operating small boats with combustion engines
• Familiarity identifying aquatic plants
• Familiarity with freshwater invertebrate identification

Employment details:

The hourly wage will start at $20.89 / hr, plus a small per diem for days spent in the field away from the greater Portland area.  The target start date is April 16, 2026 but the start date can be flexible up until June 15 and we will consider applications until all positions are filled by June 15. The positions will run through mid- October. Review of applications and interviews will begin March 16, and will continue until all positions are filled. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have about the positions.

Check out the Center for Lakes and Reservoirs website for more information.