Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment:
Chico State is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At California State University, Chico, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all. The ideal candidate will embrace our values predicated on the primacy of student success and equitable learning and working environments.
Position Title: ERTH Student Research Assistant (ISA)
College/Unit: College of Natural Sciences
Department/School: Earth & Environmental Sciences
Application Deadline: 07/28/2026
Pay Range: $17.86/hr - $23.84/hr
Location Type: On-site
Role Description:
The incumbent performs technical work in a laboratory in support of professional or technical employees engaged in data collection and/or laboratory analysis related to the physical and/or chemical properties of samples.
Works independently in carrying out routine assignments and receives specific instructions for new or more difficult assignments. Completed work is reviewed for accuracy and adherence to instructions.
Detailed guidelines, instructions, and sample formats are provided. The incumbent does not deviate from established guidelines and protocols.
Assignments consist of a variety of routine procedural tasks, or one or more relatively complex duties related to regular, recurring work. The incumbent selects and executes the proper task sequence for completing work.
The work involves routine tasks that affect the work of research/project staff and other students.
Laboratory work requires prolonged periods of standing and manual dexterity to operate equipment.
Laboratory work involves exposure to moderate risks or discomforts such as high levels of noise and vibration, dust, grease, exposed moving parts of machinery, or irritant fumes and chemicals. Work requires protective clothing, gear, and observance of safety precautions.
Description of Duties:
Assists scientists or technicians in the collection of geologic data; prepares sample containers for field collection; and notes characteristics and location/map coordinates of samples collected.
Performs wet sieving, grain size analysis, color analysis, and other basic laboratory functions following instructions and established lab protocols.
Performs a limited range of duties to prepare sediment or rock samples for chemical and/or physical analysis by crushing, grinding, sieving, weighing, polishing or ashing. Operates laboratory equipment following established protocols. Keeps records of samples being processed.
Possible hours per week of work are 15 to 20.
Minimum Qualifications:
Knowledge of basic procedures associated with sample collection and/or processing duties in order to perform routine tasks and learn to perform a wider range of technical duties. Ability to follow basic safety, sample collection, documentation, and laboratory protocols.
Exceptions to the minimum eligibility qualifications may be granted at the sole discretion of the University.
Applicants must provide:
- Resume
- (Cover letter) - optional
Additional information may be requested at a later time. All applicants must apply online, applications submitted via email or in-person to the department will not be considered.
Notification Procedure:
Student will be notified by email for interviews or changes in application status.
Job-related questions should be directed to:
Sooyeon Yi
syi4@csuchico.edu
Additional Information:
All work must be performed within the State of California.
Compliance training completion (approximately 4 hours of work time) is required of this position within the first 30 days of work.
Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
For disability-related accommodations, please call the ADA Coordinator at (530) 898-5959.
All positions are contingent on funding.
Chico State is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status and only employ individuals authorized to work in the U.S.
All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, California State University, Chico provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. California State University, Chico complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or on any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.
Chico State’s Annual Security Report includes summaries of institutional policy relating to campus safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault, and other matters. The report is published in compliance with the Clery Act and includes three years of certain crime statistics that occurred in Clery Act defined geography. A paper copy of the report may be requested in person at the Chico State Police Department or by calling 530-898-5555. It is also available on the web at Annual Security & Fire Safety Report.
