Assistant Specialist Vegetable Crops Production and Management, UCCE Stanislaus, Merced

Assistant Specialist For Vegetable Crops Production and Management, UCCE Stanislaus, Merced, and San Joaquin Counties (25-32) – University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Application Window

Open date: December 10, 2025

Next review date: Tuesday, Jan 27, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Tuesday, Mar 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.

The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) offers a unique recruitment opportunity for a Vegetable Crops Production and Management Assistant Specialist, Represented. UC ANR operates a statewide network of researchers, educators and support staff dedicated to the development and application of knowledge to address local agricultural, environmental and (community) health issues. Research, outreach and education from locally based Cooperative Extension offices serves all 58 counties from 70+ locations throughout the state.

By working and living among those we serve, UC ANR expands the University of California's reach to engage all people and communities in California, ensuring equal access to the UC System.

The Assistant Specialist for Vegetable Crops Production and Management (1.0 FTE) will assist in all phases of applied vegetable production and management research and extension efforts in the northern San Joaquin Valley. The position will be headquartered at the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Stanislaus County office in Modesto, CA and will be additionally responsible for conducting research and extension activities in the northern San Joaquin Valley counties of Merced and San Joaquin per the request of projects.

The candidate will also have opportunities to participate in national and statewide collaborative project activities.

The Assistant Specialist will provide independent support of research and extension programming by designing, conducting, and communicating results from applied research projects in locally relevant vegetable crops (watermelon, cole crops, processing tomato, fresh market tomato, and oriental vegetables). The specific activities include designing research trials in both small- and large-scale commercial vegetable fields, creating protocols that guide meaningful measurements of vegetable growth and yield, nitrogen management, taking soil and plant samples following specific study protocols, and conducting lab analysis of plant, soil, and fruit samples.

The Assistant Specialist will work primarily on projects focusing on
1) evaluation of nitrogen-fixing and mycorrhizal biostimulants and biofertilizers on Asian vegetable nutrient management among small-scale commercial growers, and
2) optimizing vegetable grafting technology and irrigation management for various vegetable crops using online decision-support tools. Other topics the Specialist may work on involve insect and disease management for vegetable crops. The position will perform a key role in vegetable production and management research activities and lead technicians and seasonal student assistants. The Specialist will leverage expertise in research data collection and summarization, as well as formal statistical analysis, to assist the supervisor/PI in organizing extension and field meetings, conference calls, and other professional activities.

The Assistant Specialist is administratively responsible to the Vegetable Crops Advisor at UCCE Stanislaus County.

UCCE Stanislaus County, Modesto, California

A minimum of master's degree or other advanced degrees in disciplines such as Plant Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, Irrigation, Soil Science or a closely related field is required by the appointment start date.

• Experience in data analysis using statistical software tools such as R and SAS.
• Experience in applied research on vegetable crops.
• Ability to work…