Clear Lake Junior Specialist

Position overview

Application Window

Open date: April 29, 2026

Most recent review date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 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: Friday, Jun 5, 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

This position focuses on providing technical and specialized support for water monitoring of physical and biogeochemical properties in ongoing projects in lakes and reservoirs. Tasks include assisting with and supporting field sampling campaigns, utilizing and maintaining instrumentation, assisting with initial laboratory processing of water samples (bottle washing, water filtering, shipping), and helping with data quality control and data management. Under general supervision and following established protocols, the junior specialist may perform specialized benchtop chemical analyses. This is a full-time position.

Major responsibilities for this poistion are:
Research in Specialized Areas (85%)

• Assist with and support field sampling campaigns to monitor water physical and biogeochemical properties, including temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, clarity, dissolved and particulate forms of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, phytoplankton, and zooplankton.
• Utilize and maintain various profiling instruments for field-based collection of physical and biogeochemical data in aquatic ecosystems (e.g., CTD, YSI water quality sondes, LISST, gravity corer, zooplankton net).
• Assist with field operations of autonomous vehicles (e.g., gliders, AUVs), as needed.
• Utilize and maintain air sampling equipment located on high-access towers (e.g., eddy covariance, methane flux).
• Assist with preparing equipment and supplies required for physical and biogeochemical data collection associated with ongoing lake and reservoir projects.
• Assist with reserving resources required for field data collection (e.g., trucks, vessels) and supporting field team logistics.
• Assist with initial laboratory processing of water samples, including bottle washing and labeling, preparation of chemical solutions and reagents, water filtering, and shipping samples for further analysis.
• Under general supervision and following established protocols, perform specialized benchtop chemical analyses, including chlorophyll and phycocyanin determination, sediment/soil nutrient extractions, particulate carbon and nitrogen elemental analysis, and inorganic/organic nitrogen measurements.
• Assist with data quality control, data management activities, and instrument calibration.

Professional competence and activities (10%)

• Actively participate in weekly research group meetings
• Assist Principal Investigators and Project Scientists with reports, figures/tables for presentations, conferences, and/or peer-reviewed journals.

University and public services (5%)

• Assist with coordination of field efforts involving partner organizations and collaborators.

Unit :

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Geography, Environmental Science, or equivalent field.
• Training and experience working with instrumentation and field sampling.
• An ability to communicate clearly, both written and verbally.
• Experience working with quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) principals.
• Experience with laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Experience working on small / large boats and collecting water samples/profile data.

• Experience coordinating and working in groups.
• Experience with laboratory software to track samples and operate instruments.
• Experience working with Cal/OSHA and EPA safety protocols and requirements.
• Experience working on long-term projects.
• Training and experience in aquatic sciences.

Application Requirements

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

• Cover Letter (Optional)

• Statement of Research (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.

• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

• 3-5 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.

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