Asst/Assoc Project Scientist - Field Stations and Nature Reserves

Asst/Assoc Project Scientist - Field Stations and Nature Reserves Position Overview Position title: Assistant Project Scientist Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. The current full-time base salary range for this position is $79,400 - $119,500. Off scale salaries, which yield compensation higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions. Percent time: 100% Anticipated start: Summer 2026 Position duration: One year, with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funding. Application Window Open date: June 15, 2026 Next review date: Monday, Jun 29, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee. Final date: Monday, Jul 20, 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 UC Berkeley Nature seeks applications for a Project Scientist at the Assistant or Associate rank. The selected candidate will be appointed at a rank commensurate with prior experience and will report to Professor Paul Fine. The Assistant or Associate Project Scientist will contribute to research on the impacts of cannabis cultivation on native grassland microbial diversity in the North Coast Range of California. This research is funded by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The purpose of this project is to investigate the impacts of cannabis cultivation on native grasslands in California’s North Coast Range and to inform conservation and stewardship of these biodiverse and understudied habitats. The Assistant or Associate Project Scientist will lead soil microbiome, metabolomic, and soil inoculation experiments to quantify how cannabis cultivation alters belowground ecosystem function and to test restoration strategies. This includes generating and analyzing high-throughput bacterial (16S) and fungal (ITS) sequencing data from soils and plant roots to characterize shifts in microbial diversity, composition, and functional groups across impacted and reference grasslands, as well as following experimental inoculations. The Assistant or Associate Project Scientist will be responsible for designing and implementing greenhouse and field soil inoculation experiments that transfer soils from intact grasslands to sites impacted by cannabis cultivation. Additionally, the scientist will oversee an untargeted root metabolomics project to identify how soil inoculations and microbial communities influence plant chemical profiles that mediate plant–microbe interactions. Other responsibilities include mentoring field technicians and assisting with tasks associated with the larger project, such as coordinating community events and establishing standard biodiversity monitoring protocols at study sites. This work requires daily in-person work at the Angelo Coast Range Reserve in Branscomb, CA. Qualifications Basic qualifications (required at time of application): PhD (or equivalent international degree) Additional qualifications (required at time of start): Four years of postdoctoral research experience. Preferred qualifications Experience in soil and root microbiome analysis using high-throughput 16S/ITS amplicon sequencing, including diversity metrics, community composition, and functional interpretation. Experience with plant metabolomics and biochemical profiling, including metabolite extraction, GC-MS/LC-MS workflows, and linking chemical traits to plant–microbe interactions. Demonstrated experience leading long-term greenhouse and field experiments, including designing and executing plant bioassays and studies of plant–soil–microbe interactions under controlled and natural conditions. Strong bioinformatics and multi-omics integration skills, working with datasets such as microbiome, metabolomics, genomics, and transcriptomics using reproducible workflows in Python, R, and HPC environments. Hands-on molecular and microbial laboratory expertise, including DNA/RNA extraction, microbial assays, NGS library preparation, and sample preparation for sequencing and metabolomics analyses. Demonstrated capacity to develop and apply reproducible data pipelines and analytical tools, ensuring transparent analysis of complex ecological datasets. Ability to effectively communicate, participate in efficient and open collaboration, and engage with a diverse group of researchers and community members. PhD in Plant biology, plant ecology or related fields. Application Requirements Document requirements: Curriculum Vitae – Your most recently updated C.V. Cover Letter Reference requirements: 3–5 required (contact information only) Apply link: Help contact: View email address on click.appcast.io Job location Branscomb, CA Equal Opportunity Employer The University of California, Berkeley 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, or protected veteran status. All letters of reference will be treated as confidential according to University of California policy and California state law. Referees should be informed of confidentiality requirements before submitting letters. 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. 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 or discrimination, as defined by the employer. Unless stated otherwise, this position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of California, Berkeley