Assistant​/Associate Specialist - Gradziel Lab

Position Overview

Salary range for this position is $63,500 - $88,000 if exempt. The salary range for this position is $30.42 - $42.15 per hour if nonexempt. "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.

Open date: November 24, 2025

Next review date: Tuesday, Dec 9, 2025 at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time) – apply by this date for full consideration.

Final date: Tuesday, Nov 24, 2026 at 11:59 pm (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.

The Department of Plant Sciences is seeking an Assistant or Associate Specialist (commensurate with experience and qualifications), 50% variable position, for the Almond and Peach Genetic Improvement Program, under the supervision of Professor Thomas Gradziel. This is a multi‑year position based at the Pomology Field Headquarters, Building B located at UC Davis campus. Duties include conducting field and laboratory research focused on characterizing the productive, horticultural and physiological performance of different almond and peach genotypes and rootstock‑scion combinations under different management (irrigation level, planting density, etc.)

and environmental condition (low chill, soil salinity, high temperature). A greater level of independence when completing job responsibilities is expected for the Associate Specialist position. The Assistant/Associate Specialist will work directly with the PIs and is expected to coordinate and interact with project collaborators at UC Davis campus, and at various UC ANR and commercial sites.

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.

• A. Collaborate with other research and extension personnel affiliated with research activities involving the genetic improvement of almond and peach cultivars and root stocks. Additionally, innovativeness, particularly in the areas of reducing the multiyear breeding cycle while increasing efficiency of phenotyping and elite candidate selection, is expected, since these will be required to sustain the breeding program within the realities of increasing labor and field costs.
  
  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:
  • 1) Publications that acknowledge the Specialist's significant and meaningful contribution to the work
  • 2) Publications on which the Specialist is an author, such as authorship in peer‑reviewed journals that document successful development of improved breeding tools
  • 3) Other evidence (e.g., letters from collaborators or principal investigators) that work done by the Specialist contributed to publishable research.
  • 4) Active dissemination of information (beyond the boundaries of the campus) through informal instruction, presentations, or other means stemming from the Specialist's research accomplishments, such as horticultural reports to stakeholders
  • 5) Other evidence…