Junior/Assistant Specialist- Marino Lab

Salary range:
A reasonable estimate for the Jr. Specialist position is $55,000 at Step 1 or $58,600 at Step 2. The salary range for a Assistant Specialist position is $63,500-$70,700. "Off-scale salaries", i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience.

The Department of Plant Sciences is seeking an Assistant and/or Junior Specialist to work in the Tree Systems Lab at UC Davis, under the supervision of Dr. Giulia Marino. This is a full-time, one-year position (with the possibility and the interest to extend it longer) based at the UC Davis campus. Duties include conducting field and laboratory research focused on characterizing the productive, horticultural and physiological performance of various perennial crop species, including almond, agave, cherry, olive and pistachio under different management (irrigation level, planting density, etc.) and/or environmental conditions (low winter chill, extreme temperatures, soil salinity, etc.). Other duties include mentoring and coordinating with students and other personnel in the lab -at both UC Davis campus and, mainly via videoconference, email or phone, the Kearny Agricultural Research Station, in Parlier-, as well as projects' collaborators (from UCD, UC ANR, CA growers, international researchers, etc.), inputting and analyzing data, data quality control, reporting results, contributing to writing grant proposals and grant reports, ensuring safety protocols are followed, operating and maintaining equipment and managing lab inventory. The position may require the candidate to hold valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program as the Jr. Specialist and Assistant Specialist position may sometimes require, during peak season or critical time period such as harvest and bloom, or the initiation of a new project or the training of a new person, to go to Kearney and remain there for one or two nights. The Assistant and/or Junior Specialist will work directly with the PIs.

The successful candidate will be actively involved in publishing research results, participating in research planning, implementation, and analysis, with opportunities for co-authorship in research and extension publications if desired.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE

I. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (85% EFFORT)

A. Collaborate with other research and extension personnel affiliated with research activities involving the horticultural characterization of various perennial crops, under different environmental and management conditions. This includes but is not limited to:

1) Develop experimental designs and protocols

2) Coordinate with projects' collaborators from UC Davis, UC ANR, and other local and international institutions for project development

3) Mentor students and coordinate data collection across locations

4) Assist with lab maintenance, purchasing and inventory of equipment and supplies for experiments, and organization of lab storage facilities

5) Ensure safety protocols are followed

6) Perform field data collection and laboratory analyses of physiological and biometric parameters, including bloom progression, nut quality, yield, plant growth, water potential, etc.

7) Build, calibrate, and install sensors for in-field plant-based and environmental data collection

8) Analyze and interpret research data and perform quality control

9) Meet periodically with PIs and others to discuss results and interpretations of data collected

10) Critically read scientific literature to help define research objectives and protocols and interpret experimental results

11) Contribute to the production of grant proposals and associated reports, scholarly manuscripts and extension and outreach material

1. Evaluation of performance in research activities or outreach activities as deemed applicable to the individual project in specialized areas, as documented by any of the following:
2. Publications that acknowledge the Specialist's significant and meaningful contribution to the work.
3. Publications on which the Specialist is an author.
4. Other evidence (e.g., letters from collaborators or principal investigators) that work done by the Specialist contributed to publishable research.
5. Active dissemination of information (beyond the boundaries of the campus) through informal instruction, presentations, or other means stemming from the Specialist's research accomplishments.
6. Other evidence of recognized expertise may include formal documentation of intellectual effort and participation in publishable research activities, first authorship on publications/patents, presentation of research at regional/national meetings, invitations to review grant proposals and/or journal articles, invitations to participate in research projects, and/or service on advisory panels.
   B. Serve as a research coordinator for the "Tree Systems Lab" projects, as resources permit. Responsible for ensuring uninterrupted communication between laboratory personnel, individual laboratories, data management and preparation of reports tailored to meet the needs of the requesting individual(s).

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10% EFFORT)

A. Attend, present, and help organize appropriate professional/technical societies or groups and other educational and research organizations, such as the ASHS annual meeting, and various ANR and Industry-organized meetings, such as the annual statewide Pistachio day, the annual Almond Conference, etc

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)

A. May maintain liaison and respond to the needs of various industry organizations, state and federal agencies, and other external groups on issues related to area of expertise.

B. Participate in activities of committees within the department, college, campus and other University entities, as appropriate (events organizing committee, DEI committee, statewide Pistachio Day and workgroup meetings)

Per UCD-APM 330, it is inappropriate to appoint an individual with a Master's or Doctoral degree in the relevant discipline or a baccalaureate degree plus three or more years of experience as a Junior Specialist. Candidates who hold a Masters or Doctoral degree will be disqualified from the Jr. Specialist position. In addition, appointees to the Assistant rank should possess a master's degree (or equivalent degree) or five years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization. It is inappropriate to appoint an individual with a Doctoral degree in the relevant discipline for the Assistant Specialist position.

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

A. Bachelor's degree in Plant Sciences or a closely related field for Jr. Specialist (must be obtained at the time of appointment)

B. Master's degree in Plant Sciences or a closely related field for Assistant Specialist (must be obtained at the time of appointment)

C. Have excellent communication and organizational skills

D. Experience in field and lab date collection related to the topics of investigation

E. Ability to Work independently

F. Valid driver's license and capability of driving long distances

Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

G. Previous experience in data organization, writing and presenting

H. Creative with an eagerness to learn

I. Capable of multitasking

J. Mentoring skills

K. Having worked previously with teams

• 3 required (contact information only)

Apply link:
https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07284

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state for federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in our strategic plan: "To Boldly Go," our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs' Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400.

UC Davis also is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis Health.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Davis, CA