Asst. Assoc. and or Full Specialist in Estuarine Water Quality, Food Web Dynamics and Fish Ecology

Position overview Salary range: Asst. Specialist $65,800 - $73,200; Assoc. Specialist $78,300 - 91,100; Specialist $96,500 - $201,700. Application Window Open date: September 2, 2026 Next review date: Thursday, Sep 17, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee. Final date: Wednesday, Jun 30, 2027 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 Center for Watershed Sciences at the University of California, Davis seeks to fill a non-tenured, academic term appointments as a Assistant Specialist. This position will aid in interdisciplinary studies of abiotic and biotic conditions that affect the ecology of invertebrate and vertebrate organisms in estuaries. Nature and Purpose The position of Specialist has a narrow focus in a specialized area and provides technical or specialized expertise with instrumentation, research equipment and analysis for understanding wetland habitats in the San Francisco Estuary. 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 participate in the planning of research and educational programs. Normally, Specialists do not have Principal Investigator (PI) status but may obtain permission by exception or collaborate with a PI in preparing research proposals for extramural funding. The Specialist is evaluated for merit and promotion on the basis of three basic criteria outlined below. Research (90%) The research objective of this position is to study physical and ecological processes of intertidal wetlands in estuarine environments. Specialized field, laboratory, and analytical techniques will be utilized to ensure data are properly collected and analyzed. The specialist will be expected to work independently with limited supervision and to make substantial contributions to publishable research. A. Lead field studies at Center for Watershed Sciences to collect aquatic organisms and measure water quality, to laboratory studies of water quality, to the analysis of invertebrate community composition, and to food web or otolith isotopic analyses. Provide expert skills for boat sampling in a dynamic tidal wetland environment, including typical fish sampling methods, otter trawling, beach seining and boat electrofishing. Collect invertebrate data by trawls, sweeps, and other means. Collect water quality data for lab analysis. Provide knowledge of California native fishes and invertebrates life histories. B. Provide specialized expertise in data entry, QA/QC, post-processing, data synthesis and statistical analysis. Maintain project databases. Python or R coding skills are essential for statistical and demographic modeling of fish populations. Understand life histories of splittail, salmonids, and Delta smelt to be able to assess restoration outcomes in wetlands. C. Conduct literature searches, analyze original data, and write annual reports to funding agencies. Actively and significantly involved in creative activities of publishing research and designing future research including reviewing journal articles; engaging in discussions of research to assist in interpreting results; assisting more senior researchers in preparing manuscripts for peer-review journals by writing methods sections and commenting on draft manuscripts; and participating in design of studies as part of writing research proposals by applying experience to revise study designs. D. Provide leadership and training for graduate and undergraduate students, and work closely with other specialists to design, implement and maintain long‑term studies. Professional Competence & Activity (5%) A. Establish and maintain communication with funding agencies and coordinate with PIs the production of quarterly reports, submission of invoices, and final reports. B. Present research results at local and regional meetings such as Bay‑Delta Science Conference, Interagency Ecology Program Annual Workshop and American Fisheries Society CALNEVA chapter meetings. University and Public Service (5%) A. Act as technical liaison on issues of wetlands and food webs as they relate to critical fish habitat and respond to the needs of State agencies (e.g., DWR, SWRCB, CDFW) and federal agencies (e.g., NOAA, NMFS, USFWS, USEPA, SRCD, and SCWA), NGOs (e.g., CalTrout, TNC) and other external groups. B. Maintain field safety, safety training required for new hires in the lab, as well as ensuring that field conditions are compliant with OSHA standards. C. Serve on committees of department, college, campus and other University entities, as appropriate. Examples might be service on departmental and college search committees and service on Academic Federation committees. Department Qualifications Master's degree in ecology, biology, environmental studies, with a minimum of two years' experience in laboratory and/or field research. Current Driver's License. Experience with aquatic sampling methods for invertebrates, fish, and water quality. Experience in team‑based work that requires communication, decision‑making skills, cooperation and leadership. Knowledge of basic microscopy techniques. Knowledge of experimental design and statistical analysis. Knowledge of taxonomic keys. Knowledge of basic ecology. Ability to work independently and remain focused for long periods of time while conducting procedures in laboratory at the bench or microscope. Ability to pass UCD boat safety training course at Bodega Marine Lab and to plan, lead, and pilot boat‑based field projects. Ability to bend, squat, crouching and to pull and lift up to 50 pounds of survey nets and similar field equipment repetitively during field sampling days of 8–10 hours duration in weather conditions spanning from cold winter rains to very hot summer days. Preferred qualifications Experience identifying California freshwater/estuarine fishes in the field and lab and invertebrates such as insect macro invertebrates and zooplankton using microscopy. MOTC certified with two years' experience in small boat safety and handling. Experience in preparation and microscopic analyses of samples such as fish guts, fish eye lens delimitations and fish otolith growth increments. Experience working independently and remain focused for long periods of time while conducting procedures in laboratory at the bench or microscope. Experience with data analysis and technical writing. Knowledge of MS Excel, Word, and Access; ArcGIS and Program R software. Knowledge of statistics and experience using GLMs, GAMs, and contingency table analysis to interpret data. 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) Reference requirements 3-5 required (contact information only) 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. "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 prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, 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 or 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 Davis, CA #J-18808-Ljbffr University of California - Davis