Postdoctoral Scholar​/Grettenberger Lab

Position overview

Salary range: $69,073.00

Open date:
February 12, 2026

Next review date:
Friday, Mar 6, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date:
Monday, Mar 30, 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.

We aim to hire a Postdoctoral Researcher, available immediately, in the lab of Dr. Ian Grettenberger. The successful candidate will be highly motivated with a commitment to applied research in agricultural systems and improving agriculture sustainability. The successful candidate will lead a project aimed at improving integrated pest management of diamondback moth in California cole crops. This will include evaluating mating disruption in large-scale field trials.

Additional work will examine ecology of this pest, including but not limited to non-crop host use, dispersal ecology, and biological control. This will include field, greenhouse, and lab trials. Other projects in this system or other cropping systems will be developed as relevant.

The incumbent must be motivated, detail-oriented, organized, and able to conduct work independently in a professional environment.

The candidate will be based at Field and Vegetable Bug IPM Lab, University of California Davis. Mentorship will focus on helping the candidates to meet their professional development goals.

We are an integrated pest management research lab in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at UC Davis. Our research focuses on the biology, ecology, and integrated management of arthropod pests of field and vegetable crops in California. We have ongoing or recently completed projects studying management and ecology of pests of rice, melon, leafy greens, alfalfa and tomato, as well as other crops.

Research in Specialized areas (95%):
The candidate will collaborate with researchers from other universities and agencies as part of this project as well as various industry stakeholders. The postdoctoral researcher will work with Dr. Grettenberger and other project team members and collaborators to develop specific research goals and methods, but will generally work independently day-to-day to achieve research outcomes, from project planning and trial deployment to data analysis, report preparation, and manuscript preparation.

The incumbent will also contribute to extension and interacting with industry members.

Professional Competence and Activity (5%):
The candidate will participate in grower and extension meetings, workshops, and present abstracts at scientific conferences. The candidate will engage with and advise students to enhance the overall mission of the research program and to promote teamwork, cooperation, and a trustworthy and secure work environment.

Department
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This position requires a minimum of a Ph.D. in Entomology, Ecology, or other related field.

• Demonstrated ability design and execute independent research projects
• Experience with field-based research in agricultural systems
• Demonstrated interest in applied pest management research, particularly aimed at developing integrated pest management approaches for target arthropod pests
• Demonstrated proficiency in data analysis
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Track record of productivity as evidenced by publications or manuscripts in preparation
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of team and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to work flexible hours as needed for research and extension
• Willing and capable of driving to field locations and working in outdoor, sometimes distant, agricultural locations in inclement weather (Monterey Co., among others).
• Able to travel overnight and/or on long travel days for research.
• Driver's license and ability to drive lab vehicles
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative lab environment
• Experience with greenhouse and/or growth chamber…