Junior Specialist position - Geisseler Lab

Position overview

Salary range:
Step 1, $53,100.00/annually

Application Window

Open date:
December 1, 2025

Next review date:
Monday, Jan 12, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date:
Friday, Feb 20, 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 NATURE AND PURPOSE

This position will be actively and significantly involved in publishable research activities, including data collection, data QA/QC, data entry, data synthesis, and analysis. The position has a narrow focus in a specialized area and provides technical and specialized expertise (e.g., with instrumentation and research equipment) in the planning and execution of research activities within applied research projects. The Junior Specialist stays apprised of emerging issues and problems and maintains technical competence in the designated area of specialization.

Within this defined area and when appropriate, the Junior Specialist is expected to provide leadership, facilitate teamwork, develop collaborative relationships with colleagues, and supply input into the planning of research and outreach programs. The Junior Specialist's main tasks and responsibilities are outlined below.

The junior specialist rank is an entry-level position; accordingly, it is inappropriate to hire applicants with advanced degrees in this field or those with bachelor's degrees and three years' relevant work experience. Therefore, consideration will be given to applicants with bachelor's degrees with less than 1-2 years of relevant work experience (See APM-UCD 330).

POSITION DESCRIPTION MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES I. Research (90%)

The Junior Specialist will be involved in a research project focusing on soil potassium availability in almond orchards in the Central Valley of California.

The Junior Specialist will collect soil samples from almond orchards located in the Central Valley and analyze these samples in the laboratory. Laboratory analyses will include a wide range of analytical methods to characterize the soil and the soil potassium pools. In addition, the Junior Specialist will conduct pot trials to determine plant-available potassium in different soils. The Junior Specialist will enter the data into spreadsheets and perform quality control assessments and basic analyses of the data.

Training on all procedures and methods used will be provided. The results of this project will support almond growers making potassium fertilization decisions.

The Junior Specialist will also support an assistant specialist and graduate students working in the nutrient management lab group. Activities of the Junior Specialist will include collecting soil and plant samples in commercial fields, processing the samples in the laboratory, analyzing them using a variety of analytical methods, and conducting laboratory incubations to determine the availability of nitrogen from different cover crops, manures and organic amendments.

The Junior Specialist will contribute to the review of reports and scientific manuscripts written by the PI prior to submission, help write sections that they worked on, such as field data collection and laboratory methods, and will engage in discussions on the interpretation of results. The Junior Specialist will present results of the projects at lab meetings.

The ultimate goal of the research done by the nutrient management lab group is to provide growers and crop consultants with science-based data on crop nutrient availability to help meet regulatory requirements and to support fertilization decisions.

II. Professional Competence (5%)

The Junior Specialist will be encouraged to attend seminars at the university, local scientific conferences, as well as local University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) meetings with a focus on topics relevant to the projects.

III. University and Public Service (5%)

The Junior Specialist will provide mentorship for undergraduate students working in the laboratory.

Qualifications Basic qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Soil Science, or a related field. Degree must be awarded by start of appointment.
• This is an entry level position. Applicants with Bachelor's plus 1-2 years of experience will be given consideration. It is inappropriate to hire someone with a Masters Degree or higher into a Junior Specialist position.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience working in a laboratory and in the field.
• Experience in Word and Excel or other appropriate computer programs to organize, summarize, and analyze data.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Valid driver's license.
• Strong organizational skills.

Application Requirements Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for…