Assistant Specialist - UC Davis Strawberry Breeding Program

Position overview



Salary range:
The salary range for this position is $63,500 - $73,200. "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.

Application Window

Open date: August 18, 2025

Most recent review date: Friday, Sep 19, 2025 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: Monday, Aug 17, 2026 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 UC Davis Strawberry Breeding Program aims to deliver genetically superior cultivars to both conventional and organic strawberry growers in California and around the world. We operate short-day and day-neutral breeding programs in California production environments. In conjunction with the breeding program, there is a robust research program focused on answering pertinent questions that provide useful and relevant information for use in the breeding pipeline.

The Assistant Specialist will be responsible for the full range of research and development activities connected with field testing of clonally propagated short-day and summer-plant breeding material in southern and central California, starting with early stages of selection and culminating with pre-commercial testing of experimental cultivars.

NATURE AND PURPOSE

The position of Specialist has a narrow focus in a specialized area and provides technical or specialized expertise (e.g., with instrumentation and research equipment or with social science research methods) in the planning and execution of a research project. The Specialist stays apprised of emerging issues and problems and maintains technical competence in the designated area(s) of specialization. Within this defined area and when appropriate, the 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, 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. The Specialist is evaluated for merit and promotion using three basic criteria outlined below.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE

I. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREA (80%)

A. Collaborate with other research and extension personnel affiliated with research activities involving the strawberry breeding program. Evaluation of performance in research activities or in outreach activities as deemed applicable to the individual project in specialized areas, as documented by any of the following:

1) Publications that acknowledge the Specialist's significant and meaningful contribution to the work.

2) Publications on which the Specialist is an author.

3) Other evidence (e.g., letters from collaborators or principal investigators) that work done by the Specialist contributed to publishable research.

4) Active dissemination of information (beyond the boundaries of the campus) through informal instruction, presentations, or other means stemming from the Specialist's research accomplishments.

5) 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.

6) Required 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.

B. Serve as a research coordinator in collaboration with the PI and program staff for the management of field research projects on commercial farms conducted by PIs in the department, as resources permit. Responsible for ensuring uninterrupted communication between individual laboratories, data management and preparation of reports tailored to meet the needs of the requesting individual(s).

1) Responsible for the full range of research and development activities connected with field testing clonally propagated short-day and summer-plant breeding material in southern and central California, starting with early stages of selection and culminating with pre-commercial testing of experimental cultivars.

2) Interact with the team responsible for low- and high-elevation propagation of clonal material, participate in organizing and managing high-elevation propagation of clonal material with private sector nurseries, and participate in harvesting, organizing, and planting clonally propagated plant material for field experiments.

3) Design, organize, and plant field experiments, collect, curate, and analyze data, develop and implement electronic data collection systems, develop and implement electronic plant, plot, and sample tracking systems, and coordinate and manage research interactions with UC Davis, USDA, UC ANR, Cal Poly, and other public sector scientists.

4) Assist with analyzing data and preparing progress reports for funding agencies, collecting and analyzing data for cultivar releases, and preparing cultivar release documents. The latter includes the collection, collation, and analysis of data necessary for meeting plant patent requirements.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10%)

A. Participate in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups and other educational and research organizations, such as attending seminars and meetings relevant to research projects, preparing information (abstracts, posters, and slides), and presenting results at scientific meetings with collaborators, extension meetings, field days, and other outreach meetings.


B. Review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications related to area of expertise.

C. Contribute to writing reports, preparing cultivar release and plant patent documents, and assisting with the preparation of manuscripts.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (10%)

A. May maintain liaison and respond to the needs of various industry organizations, state and federal agencies, and other external groups, including stakeholders, fruit and nursery growers, shippers, packers, farm advisors, farm managers, and California Strawberry Commission staff, on issues related to area of expertise and to engage in outreach activities including day-to-day interactions, in addition to formally organized outreach activities, e.g., field days.


B. Participate in activities of committees within the department, college, campus and other University entities, as appropriate, such as organizing informal and formal meetings for training others, including graduate students and field crews, and assisting with diverse field experiments as part of the academic program connected with the breeding program. Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

A. Bachelor of Science in Plant Breeding, Plant Sciences, Pomology, Horticulture or comparable field

B. Four to six years of experience in on farm crop trialing, data collection and organization, and maintain records

C. Skills to critically evaluate fruit and plant characteristics and make judgment of horticultural value

D. Valid CA Driver's license to travel throughout California

E. Computer skills to input spreadsheets, graphing, and develop presentation materials. Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

F. Master of Science in Plant Breeding, Plant Sciences, Pomology, Horticulture or comparable field

G. Knowledge and understanding of general genetics and plant breeding, plant pathogens and insect pests and their control, and horticultural techniques and practices required for the proper establishment and maintenance of strawberries

H. Ability to communicate in Spanish as well as English Application Requirements

Document requirements

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

• Cover Letter

• Statement of Research

• 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

• 2-3 required (contact information only)

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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.

• "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.

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.

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 is also a national leader in inclusive practice. 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.

The University of California and UC Davis are committed to offering a wide variety of benefits for employees. The University of California Employee benefits and UC Davis New Employee benefits webpages have additional information.

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.

Job location
San Luis Obispo, California