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Junior Specialist/Eskalen lab

Position overview

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

Application Window

Open date: February 24, 2025

Next review date: Friday, Mar 14, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, Mar 31, 2025 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 Eskalen lab is seeking a qualified candidate to assist with field fungicide spray trials across California. The position involves evaluating various synthetic and biological fungicides for controlling diseases in grapevines and fruit trees.

Major Responsibilities and Areas of Expertise

Research (80%)
The Junior Specialist will play an active role in conducting field experiments and contributing to publishable research through the following responsibilities:
• Conduct fungicide spray programs, including the use of SR430 Stihl backpack sprayers multiple times per week, starting as early as 5:00 AM.
• Assist in designing field experiments and developing methodologies while maintaining comprehensive records of field and laboratory procedures.
• Follow established research protocols and maintain regular communication with the Principal Investigator, lab personnel, lab manager, students, technicians, and visitors.
• Contribute to general lab operations, including maintaining culture collections, managing lab inventory, and ensuring proper organization.
• Prepare field fungicide research reports for inclusion on the lab’s website.
• Support greenhouse trials related to fungal diseases in various crops by performing sample collection, data gathering, analysis, and interpretation.
• Maintain detailed and accurate records of laboratory and field experiment results. Enter data into spreadsheets and databases, perform statistical analyses, and interpret the outcomes.

Professional Competence (15%)
The incumbent is expected to:
• Stay updated on relevant field spray-related professional advancements.
• Uphold safety standards and meet regulatory requirements while conducting research and maintaining the laboratory.
• Contribute to the training and mentorship of undergraduate students and technicians in the lab.

University and Public Service (5%)
• Serve as a liaison and respond to inquiries from industry organizations, government agencies, and other external stakeholders regarding areas of expertise.
• Participate in committees and collaborative activities within the department, college, campus, and other university entities, as appropriate.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Minimum Qualifications:
• A bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences or a related field is required.
• Note: This position is designed for junior specialists at the entry level. Applicants with advanced degrees or more than three years of relevant work experience are not eligible (refer to APM-UCD 330 for details).

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

Candidates should possess experience or a strong interest in conducting fieldwork, including the application of fungicides at various locations in California, including Davis. All applicants are expected to adhere to the lab’s Field Work Code of Conduct policy.

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter

  • 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.
    (Optional)

  • Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form.

Reference requirements
  • 3-4 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF06984

Help contact: lvaldovinos@ucdavis.edu

About UC Davis

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.

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/).

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