Overview | Graduate Research Fellowships | Graduate Research Assistanceships

Overview

Each year, a number of Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs) become available through the various research projects in the department. Most research assistantships are on a part-time basis for 12 months each year. The standard appointment is 0.49 FTE. All students are responsible for contributing to the research project. The department does not offer Graduate Teaching Assistantships. Admission to graduate study in the department is separate and distinct from consideration for GRA support.

To apply for assistantship support, applicants should first identify members of the Graduate Faculty whose research coincides with their own interests and professional goals. Prospective students may want to check the information on the Graduate Faculty and their recent publications to obtain some idea of their research interests and experience. Then call or write (e-mail) the appropriate faculty member(s) to inquire about their current research activity and availability of a GRA. Be aware, however, that a faculty member will likely not commit funds to support an applicant until after he/she has examined the applicant's complete file. Furthermore, an offer of an assistantship is contingent upon the applicant being admitted (see Graduate Assistantships Available for additional information).

Graduate assistantship stipends depend upon the fractional appointment, usually from 0.20 to 0.49 of a full-time equivalent (FTE). Stipends are tied to the base rate established by the university and increase of 2-3% per year. Fall term 2006 annual stipends at the 0.49 appointment level are $18,516 for MS candidates and $20,368 for PhD candidates. Higher stipends may be negotiated. Salaries at other fractional appointments are proportionally less. Students supported by graduate assistantships at the level of 0.20 or above pay student fees of about $280 per term. Tuition, however, is waived. The specific amount of a graduate assistantship is determined mainly by the major professor. The decision is based on the experience and qualifications of the student and available funds. The graduate assistantships that follow are offered on a 0.20 to 0.49 FTE (negotiable) basis or are tentative as indicated. The assistantships are available now or anticipated for the next academic year.

Graduate Research Fellowships

ARCO-Swallow Graduate Research Fellowships

The Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University offers the ARCO-Swallow Fellowships to recruit outstanding applicants. An ARCO-Swallow Fellowship increases the stipend of the student by $3,000 per year. Students conduct research that leads to a MS or PhD degree and contributes to research programs within the department and discipline. Successful candidates may get the option of choosing a faculty advisor or initially working for two or three faculty members during the first year of study. Faculty interests include plant breeding and genetics, plant physiology, post-harvest physiology, biotechnology, molecular biology, sustainable agriculture, and horticultural systems that integrate basic plant and crop management sciences in nursery, orchard, berry, and vegetable cropping systems. Applicants with a BS or BA degree in agriculture, biology, or related field are preferred.

Selection will be based on:

• Academic achievement
• GRE scores
• Academic and/or work experience
• Letters of reference
• Candidate's personal letters describing goals and research interests

Link to ARCO Swallow Fellowship Application

For further information, contact:
   Dr. Shawn Mehlenbacher
   Department of Horticulture
   Oregon State University
   4017 ALS Bldg
   Corvallis, OR 97331-7304
   phone: 541-737-5467
   email: mehlenbs@hort.oregonstate.edu

Graduate Research Assistantships

Biotechnology

Research assistantship anticipated in genetics and molecular biology. Areas of research include genetic regulation of cytokinins and interspecific gene transfer of food legumes. Candidates with strong background in basic sciences preferred. Contact Dr. David W. S. Mok.

 Biotechnology and Development/Physiological Genetics

Research assistantships are available in biotechnology and developmental/physiological genetics. Research areas include isolation of enzymes and genes involved in cytokinin biosynthesis and metabolism, characterization of transformants containing yeast iron reductase genes, and transformation of horticultural crops. Candidates with strong backgrounds in basic sciences (chemistry, biochemistry, and biology) are preferred. Contact Dr. Machteld C. Mok.

Tree Crop Breeding and Genetics

Research assistantship available in hazelnut and tree fruit breeding and genetics. Areas of interest include heritability of quantitative traits, inheritance of Mendelian characters and biochemical markers, disease resistance, marker-assisted selection, inter-specific hybridization, incompatibility, and genetic control of dormancy and budbreak. Candidates with a strong background in the biological sciences preferred. Contact Dr. Shawn A. Mehlenbacher.

Small Fruit Breeding and Genetics

Research assistantship available in small fruit breeding and genetics. Areas of interest include strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries; evaluation of native and non-native Rubus and Vaccinium; interspecific hybridization; heritability of quantitative traits; and cytological work in Rubus. Candidates with a strong background in horticulture or other biological sciences preferred. Contact Dr. Chad Finn.

Genetic Resources of Temperate Fruit and Nut Crops

Research assistantship available in the area of genetic resource preservation and characterization working with hazelnuts, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, currants, gooseberries, or pears. Areas of interest include botanical and horticultural taxonomy, sexual and asexual propagation, and evaluation of horticultural traits. Candidates with a strong background in the biological sciences preferred. Contact Dr. Kim E. Hummer or Dr. Barbara M. Reed.

Vegetable Production

Graduate assistantship anticipated for research in vegetable culture and physiology. Areas of possible research include transplanting systems, enhancing plant growth with row covers, fertilizer use efficiency, and factors affecting quality and disease control in vegetable crops. Contact Dr. Delbert D. Hemphill, Jr.

Berry Crop Production/Physiology

Research assistantships available for MS and PhD. Areas of interest include production systems, mechanical harvesting, pruning, training, flower bud initiation, plant nutrition, and carbohydrate partitioning. Contact Dr. Bernadine C. Strik.

Woody Plant Molecular Biology

Research assistantship in the molecular biology of woody plants is available immediately. The research project involves the molecular events that occur during the induction and breaking of winter dormancy in woody plants. PhD candidates with a strong background in plant molecular biology or genetics are preferred. Contact Dr. Tony H. Chen.

Plant Growth Regulation

Research assitantship anticipated to study growth regulation of horticultural crops. Areas of interest include control of shoot elongation by gibberellins and uses of gene transfer to control plant development. Candidates with a strong background in basic sciences, as well as interest in horticulture, are preferred. Contact Dr. William M. Proebsting.

Fruit Tree Physiology

Research assistantship available in fruit and nut tree biology. Areas of primary focus include the regulation and expression of sporophytic self-incompatibility in hazelnut, cherry rootstock physiology and performance, and hazelnut and cherry cultivar evaluation. Contact Dr. Anita N. Azarenko.

Tree Physiology

Research assistantship available in physiology of dormancy and cold hardiness. Candidates with strong background in science preferred. Contact Dr. Les H. Fuchigami.

Grape Physiology

Research assistantship available in grapevine physiology. Areas of interest include canopy management, microclimate parameters, and genotype adaptation (rootstocks and clones), all in relation to such factors as fruit set and fruit yield and composition. Candidates with a strong science background and interest in viticulture preferred. Also, a $2,000 merit viticulture fellowship is available for outstanding students. Areas of interest include carbohydrate production and partitioning, canopy management, stress physiology, nutrition, and integrated viticulture production in relation to fruit set, yield, and fruit quality. Contact Dr. Carmo Vasconcelos.

Vegetable Breeding and Genetics

Research assistantships are available in vegetable breeding and genetics. Crops of interest include green beans, peas, broccoli, tomatoes, winter squash, and sweet corn. Projects incorporate the use of molecular markers to manipulate traits of economic importance. Candidates with a strong background in horticulture or other biological sciences preferred. Contact Dr. Jim Myers.

Weed Management and Ecology

Research assistantships are available in weed management and ecology. Projects focus on managing weed populations through manipulation of tillage systems in annual row crop vegetable systems, including the effect of seed predation on population dynamics. Contact Dr. Ed Peachey.

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