Assistant Specialist - DiCaprio Lab

Position Overview

Salary range: $63,500.00 at Step 1.

Application Window

Open date: December 26, 2025

Next review date: Saturday, Jan 10, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Saturday, Jan 31, 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 - Assistant Specialist 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.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE I. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (75% EFFORT)

Collaborate with other research and extension personnel affiliated with research activities involving microbial safety of foods. Work to improve the safety of California's food supply by developing and/or improving scale appropriate processing and preservation technologies that are effective at control, removal or inactivation of pathogens and spoilage microorganisms in food; developing strategies to reduce, control or prevent cross contamination during growing, harvesting, processing, packaging, transportation and/or storage of foods.

Areas of emphasis may include any of the following: microbial ecology, food processing or preservation technologies, pathogen detection, quantitative risk assessment.

Plan, organize, and participate in programs designed to educate clientele including growers, processors, health professionals and regulators about proper food production, processing, distribution, retailing, and handling procedures that reduce microbiological food safety risks. Develop extension programs including print and electronic materials that address technical and regulatory policy in food safety for growers, cottage food processors and food entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized food processors.

Evaluation of performance in research activities or in outreach activities as deemed applicable to the individual project in specialized areas, as documented by any of the following:

• Publications that acknowledge the Specialist's significant and meaningful contribution to the work.
• Publications on which the Specialist is an author.
• Other evidence (e.g., letters from collaborators or principal investigators; inclusion as a key contributor or collaborator on research and/or Extension grants) that work done by the Specialist contributed to publishable research or project outcomes.
• Active dissemination of information (beyond the boundaries of the campus) through informal instruction, presentations, or other means stemming from the Specialist's research accomplishments.
• Other evidence of recognized expertise may include formal documentation of intellectual effort and participation in publishable research activities, first authorship on publications/patents, presentation of research at regional/national meetings, invitations to review grant proposals and/or journal articles, invitations to participate in research projects, and/or service on advisory panels.

B. Serve as a research coordinator for Produce Safety Technical Assistance Program and Small Processor Food Safety Program projects conducted by PI in the department, as resources permit.

Responsible for ensuring…