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  current full‑time base salary range for this position is $79,400–$119,500. Off‑scale salaries may be 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.

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 (CDFW) and aims to investigate how cannabis cultivation alters below ground ecosystem function and 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 and to test restoration strategies.
• 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 across impacted and reference grasslands, and to follow experimental inoculations.
• 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, including coordinating community events and establishing standard biodiversity monitoring protocols at study sites.
• Work daily in person 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.

• 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.

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry,…