Asst​/Assoc Project Scientist - Field Stations and Nature Reserves

Position Overview

Position title:

Assistant Project Scientist.

Salary range: $79,400 - $119,500 (full-time base salary; off‑scale salaries may be offered).

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start:
Summer 2026.

Position duration:
One year, with possibility of extension.

Application window:
Open until Jan 31 2027, with a final review date of March 31 2027.

The Assistant or Associate Project Scientist will investigate the impacts of cannabis cultivation on native grassland microbial diversity in the North Coast Range, California. The project is funded by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and is designed to inform conservation and stewardship of these biodiverse habitats.

• Lead soil microbiome, metabolomic, and soil inoculation experiments to quantify how cannabis cultivation alters below ground ecosystem function.
• Generate and analyze high‑throughput bacterial (16S) and fungal (ITS) sequencing data from soils and plant roots to characterize shifts in microbial diversity, composition, and functional groups.
• Design and implement greenhouse and field soil inoculation experiments that transfer soils from intact grasslands to sites impacted by cannabis cultivation.
• Oversee an untargeted root metabolomics project to identify how soil inoculations and microbial communities influence plant chemical profiles that mediate plant‑microbe interactions.
• Mentor field technicians and assist with tasks associated with the larger project, such as coordinating community events and establishing standard biodiversity monitoring protocols.
• Daily in‑person work at the Angelo Coast Range Reserve in Branscomb, CA.

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.

• Curriculum Vitae – most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter.

• 3–5 references (contact information only).

Job location:

Branscomb, CA.

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.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Referees may be contacted only after the applicant’s résumé is reviewed.

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 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.

Applicable UC policies include the UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, UC Anti‑Discrimination Policy, and APM – 035:
Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.

Unless otherwise stated, the position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H‑1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.