Student Sensory Technician

Oregon State University

Student technician supporting consumer taste tests at Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center. Scheduling participants, preparing and serving samples, coding materials, and cleaning laboratory spaces.

Posted 8/12/2026part-timePortland • Oregon • 🇺🇸 United StatesEntry LevelWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates strong organizational skills in scheduling and conducting consumer taste tests while ensuring compliance with academic enrollment standards. Proficient in food preparation and safety practices, with a focus on effective communication and participant engagement.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Food PreparationScheduling ParticipantsMicrosoft Office ProficiencyFood Handlers LicenseCriminal History Check Compliance

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Food Safety PracticesConsumer TestingParticipant RecruitmentServing Food SamplesCleaning Procedures

Soft Skills

Communication SkillsOrganizational SkillsTeam Collaboration

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft WordMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Outlook

Certifications & Qualifications

Food Handlers License

Industry Keywords

Sensory TestingConsumer Taste TestsOSU Standard Compliance

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Assist Sensory Program staff with scheduling participants for consumer taste tests
Send participant confirmation emails
Prepare copies and code serving materials
Prepare and serve food samples
Clean up after tests
Conduct consumer tests at the OSU Food Innovation Center laboratory complex in downtown Portland and off-site locations such as grocery stores or food festivals
Support recruitment and labeling activities
Work in the sensory laboratory preparing and serving food samples

Requirements

What you’ll need

Must be academically enrolled in a high school, community college, or university and pursuing a program or course of study
Must meet Academic Standing Requirements; students on academic suspension are not eligible
Must meet the applicable minimum enrollment standard
High school students must be regularly enrolled in high school or participating in a home-schooling program
Undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students must take 6 credit hours per term
Undergraduate international students must take 12 credit hours per term, subject to approved reduced course loads
Graduate students officially admitted to Graduate School must take 5 credit hours per term
Graduate international students officially admitted to Graduate School must take 9 credit hours per term, subject to approved reduced course loads
Must successfully complete a Criminal History Check
Must be determined position qualified under OSU Standard 576-055-0000 et seq.
Must self-report convictions
Preferred: available for a minimum of 6 months
Preferred: current Food Handlers License
Preferred: solid knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, Access and Outlook
Sensory testing may require being on your feet for up to 8 hours per shift

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life insurance
OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents
Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources
Retirement savings paid by the university
Paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave
Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities
Dual Career assistance resources
Flexible work arrangements
Family Resource Center
Affinity Groups
Employee Assistance Program
Optional pet, accident, and critical care insurance
Transferable skill development in Communication, Teamwork, Professionalism, Career & Self Development