Assistant Specialist​/Hodson Lab

Position overview

Salary range: $65,800 - $73,200

Open date:
July 20, 2026

Next review date:
Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date:
Tuesday, Aug 4, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

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.

We seek to hire an Assistant Specialist to conduct research in soil ecology, focusing on nematode microarthropod, and soil invertebrate communities in crops including olives, almonds, walnuts and tomato. The Assistant Specialist will assist the Principal Investigator in conducting field, greenhouse and laboratory experiments as part of ongoing research on sustainable pest management and improving soil health. Primary duties will involve co-designing field and greenhouse experiments;

executing field experiments; purchasing and preparing field supplies; receiving and logging soil samples; identifying nematodes and microarthropods; entering data into spreadsheets and archiving paper data forms; and mentoring and training undergraduate assistants. Preferred qualifications include prior experience extracting and identifying soil organisms including mites, nematodes and collembola.

• Assist the PI by identifying nematodes using molecular and microscopic tools as part of larger projects characterizing nematodes' role in soil organic matter formation, as well as new ways to control nematode pests.
• Calculate indices of ecosystem function based on nematode abundances. Prepare and organize datasummaries as well as sample receiving logs. Regularly notify agricultural commissioner of pest nematodes identified and ensuring permitting safety requirements are being met.
• Assist the PI in designing and executing field experiments. These will include greenhouse, field and laboratory experiments and will involve occasional travel to field sites up to 2 hours away. Lead teams of undergraduates on field expeditions and ensure compliance with field safety protocols.
• Assist the PI in manuscript preparation, including but not limited to: preparing tables and figures, statistically analyzing data, reading scholarly literature, writing methods and results sections, and revising manuscripts.

• The incumbent will present research at local stakeholder meetings as well as national nematology or soil ecology meetings. Presentations will be delivered in poster and oral presentation formats.
• The incumbent will be encouraged to participate in weekly lab meetings, and to attend weekly seminars in the Department of Entomology and Nematology.
• The incumbent will be encouraged to have membership in professional societies such as the Soil Ecology Society, Society of Nematologists, Ecological Society of America and Entomological Society of America.

• As a component of university service, the incumbent will also be available to serve on one or more departmental committees as suggested by department administration.
• As a public service, the incumbent will also be encouraged to provide research updates at public…