Recruit

The Junior Specialist position in Dr. Charlie Brummer's lab will assist with all aspects of the spinach, alfalfa, and/or hemp breeding and genetics programs at UC Davis. The work will include field, greenhouse, and laboratory activities, including implementing field trials, collecting and analyzing data, hybridization, making selections, and DNA analysis with a long-term goal of developing improved cultivars of these species. The position will require regular travel to field trials around the state and occasional overnight lodging to conduct research at UC research farms and on-farm locations.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE
I. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (90%)
A. The Junior Specialist will handle research projects for the spinach, alfalfa, and/or hemp breeding program. This candidate will run research field trials and handle greenhouse seed production by, making crosses by hand, organizing and maintaining inventory in seed storage, and collecting and processing plant samples for compositional evaluation or for DNA extraction.
B. The Junior Specialist will collect and evaluate phenotypic trait data, measure yield and other traits using electronic data collection devices and research plot equipment. In addition, the employee will assist with lab work, basic statistical data analysis, presentation of data, and computer management of data files.
C. The candidate will contribute to the project by helping to determine which germplasm to include in trials, deciding how to streamline and improve field and greenhouse research trial procedures, and researching and recommending the best suppliers of research equipment and materials. The Junior Specialist will also collaborate with the PI and Project Scientist to curate and analyze data and to assist with preparation of publications and cultivar registrations relating to the breeding programs.
D. The Junior Specialist will contribute to peer-reviewed publications related to the breeding programs, as a co-author. The incumbent will present research results at field days, to research boards, and at other academic meetings as needed.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5% EFFORT)
A. The Junior Specialist will contribute to writing reports and presenting results at outreach meetings, on research posters, and at field days.
B. Join professional/technical societies or groups and other educational and research organizations and participate as a member through presentations at conferences or volunteering for committees.
C. Participate and/or attend research conferences appropriate to plant breeding and crop improvement.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)
A. The Junior Specialist will assist with the mentoring of undergraduate student interns as needed, such as demonstrating crosses, field management methods, phenotyping, and other data collection.
B. The candidate will participate in meetings between UC faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, staff, and external collaborators to assist in the coordination various crop breeding projects.

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 this search.

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

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

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

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