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.

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.

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)
  Apply link:
  Help contact: ismartinez@ucdavis.edu

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.