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We are seeking a highly motivated, organized, and dynamic scientist to fill a Postdoctoral Researcher position in agronomy at the University of California, Davis (UCD) to work on a newly funded project evaluating agave production in California.

The incumbent will work within a collaborative group of scientists and faculty from the Department of Viticulture and Enology (V&E), Foundation Plant Services, and potentially the Department of Plant Sciences at UC Davis. The incumbent will also work closely with government agencies and local stakeholders, particularly agave growers in California to evaluate production practices aimed to maximize yield from harvested piñas.

Efforts of the Postdoctoral Researcher will be directed towards evaluating irrigation management strategies, various plant materials suitable for growth in this region, and harvesting/extraction techniques that maximize sugar yields for this crop. Efforts will require communication with researchers and growers in other predominant North American growing regions and comparison of climatic conditions best suited for various plant materials. Dependent on the incumbent’s training and experience, efforts could also focus on plant nutritional physiology.

Responsibilities:
• 90%
o Characterize and quantify agave growing conditions and plant attributes (e.g., gas exchange physiology of CAM vs C3) over time by using existing plantings to analyze annual growth and differential carbohydrate storage.
o Characterize and quantify genetic diversity agaves on several sites, including viral load and pest pressures over time.
o Determine impact of irrigation to maximize sugar production and enhance maturity per unit applied water on a range of existing plantings of agave species on various sites.
o Record harvest results and create an initial database to share with industry.
o Incorporate plant material into Foundation Plant Services to help ensure clean nursery stock for California growers
o Identify gaps in knowledge for future research, including sensitivity to regional soil conditions, e.g., disease pressures and composition.
o Develop and refine irrigation and nutrient management to grow agave more effectively and enhance agave sugar yield in California.
o Prepare manuscripts for publication.
o Coordinate project group meetings with stakeholders from government, academic, extension, agricultural, tech, and private sectors.
o Present results at conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals
• 10%
o Extension, Mentorship, and Outreach

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We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals’ with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

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As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs - With Updated Interim Amendments. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine Primary Series or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, Religious Objection, and/or Deferral based on pregnancy or recent COVID-19 diagnosis and/or treatment) no later than the applicable deadline. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of receiving the most recent CDC-recommended COVID-19 booster or properly decline such booster no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees should refer to Exhibit 2, Section II.C. of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Attachment for applicable deadlines. All Covered Individuals must also provide proof of being Up-To-Date on seasonal influenza vaccination or properly decline such vaccination no later than the applicable deadline. Please refer to the Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Program Attachment.(Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.