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Junior Specialist in Food and Agricultural Economic Analysis

Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $53,100 at Step 1, and $56,600 at Step 2

Application Window

Open date: August 20, 2024

Most recent review date: Wednesday, Sep 4, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Thursday, Oct 31, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The position of Junior Specialist has a narrow focus in a specialized area and provides technical or specialized expertise (e.g., with scientific research methods or computer programming skills) in the planning and execution of a research project.

The Junior Specialist stays apprised of emerging issues and problems and maintain technical competence in the designated area(s) of specialization. Within this defined area and when appropriate, the Junior Specialist is expected to provide leadership, facilitate teamwork, and develop collaborative relationships with colleagues and to supply input into the planning of research and educational programs. Normally, Junior Specialists do not have Principal Investigator (PI) status but may obtain permission by exception and/or collaborate with a PI in preparing research proposals for extramural funding.

Overview of main duties of the Junior Specialist: Manage, organize, clean, and analyze agricultural economic data sets dealing with products such as cannabis, rice, milk, sunflowers, and fruit and vegetable products, including wine. prices and characteristics.

This position requires specific skills and concrete experience with organizing, cleaning, and analyzing a data sets.

Engagement in research activity is an essential part of this position including tasks such as contribution to academic publications and working with the PI, research team, and project stakeholders to discuss current and future research directions. Contribute to the drafting/editing of manuscripts, research reports, and summarization of data collection to produce academic publications for peer-reviewed journals. Contribute to drafting analyses for presentations at professional conferences. Work with undergraduate students, graduate students, postdocs, and project scientists.

Meticulously observe and follow all University policies, procedures, and ethical standards. Support the University's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals.

Specific Responsibilities:
Research (85%):
The Junior Specialist will be actively and significantly involved in publishable research activities through the following roles and duties:
• Collection, organization, cleaning, and statistical analysis, including providing summary results and summary statistics in Excel format on a regular basis
• Performing comparative means analysis, time series analysis, regression analysis, and other types of analyses to test hypotheses about data patterns, trends, and determinants
• Maintaining thorough documentation and providing the PIs with copies of all code and documentation on a regular basis, to ensure smooth transitions to other colleagues in the future
• Helping to prepare research for professional meeting presentations in poster or oral formats. The Junior Specialist will be encouraged and mentored to develop presentation abilities through lab group meetings and other local events.

Professional Competence (10%):
• The incumbent may help prepare and present results at research meetings in poster or oral format.

University and Public Service (5%):
• The incumbent will be encouraged to deliver oral presentations in the classroom and at public events.
• As a full time, research group member, this position includes responsibility for maintaining safety standards and meeting regulatory requirements, staff training and mentoring.

Reporting:
Will work under the supervision of Daniel Sumner (Distinguished Professor, Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics).

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

This position requires a minimum of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Economics or related field and documented background in the economics of agricultural sustainability at the time of employment. Per policy, anyone with a degree higher than a BA/BS would not be considered for the position.

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

• At least six months experience organizing and analyzing data sets of U.S. agricultural and food prices.

• Six months experience as a research assistant in agricultural economics.

• Experience analyzing agricultural data for California.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Cover Letter - Please provide a cover letter that describes your related interests, experiences, and career goals.

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.

Reference requirements
  • 2-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF06680

Help contact: kralexandra@ucdavis.edu

About UC Davis

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.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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 categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

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 inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, 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: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their "Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

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.

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Job location

Davis, CA