Junior/Assistant Specialist- UC Davis Strawberry Breeding Program
Listed on 2026-07-01
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Research/Development
Biology, Research Assistant/Associate, Research Scientist, Agriculture / Farming
Position Overview
A reasonable estimate for the Jr. Specialist position is $57,000 at Step 1 or $60,700 at Step 2. The salary range for an Assistant Specialist position is $65,800–$73,200. Off‑scale salaries are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience.
Application Window- Open date:
June 25, 2026 - Next review date:
Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee. - Final date:
Friday, June 25, 2027 at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date; those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
The UC Davis Strawberry Breeding Program delivers genetically superior cultivars to conventional and organic growers in California and worldwide. The program operates short‑day and day‑neutral breeding programs in California production environments and maintains a robust research program that provides relevant information for the breeding pipeline.
Candidate will be responsible for the full range of research and development activities connected with field testing of clonally propagated breeding material in southern and central California, from early selection stages to pre‑commercial testing of experimental cultivars. Assistant Specialists will have a greater level of responsibility.
Per UCD‑APM 330, a Junior Specialist must have a bachelor’s degree with one year of research experience. Candidates with a master’s or doctoral degree or a bachelor’s with more than three years of experience are disqualified from the Junior Specialist position. Assistant Specialists must possess a master’s degree, a bachelor’s with three or more years of research experience, or four to six years in a similar professional technical position.
The department does not offer visa sponsorship.
Collaborate with research and extension personnel; design, organize, and plant field experiments; collect, curate, and analyze data; develop electronic data collection and tracking systems; coordinate interactions with UC Davis, USDA, UC ANR, Cal Poly, and other partners.
Participate in professional societies; review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications; contribute to reports, cultivar release documents, and plant patent preparation.
Maintain liaison with industry organizations, state and federal agencies, and external groups; participate in committees and training activities; engage in outreach including field days.
- Bachelor’s degree in Plant Breeding, Plant Sciences, Pomology, Horticulture or comparable field.
- Master of Sciences in Plant Breeding, Plant Sciences, Pomology, Horticulture or comparable field.
- One year of experience working as part of a research/production team.
- Computer skills: spreadsheets, graphing, presentation materials.
- Valid California driver’s license.
- Knowledge of genetics, plant breeding, pathogens, pests, and horticultural techniques.
- Written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish.
- Experience in agricultural field trials, including nutrition management, pest and disease scouting.
San Luis Obispo, California
Equal Opportunity Employer StatementThe University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state and federal law.
Under federal law, the University may employ only individuals legally able to work in the United States as established by documents specified by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E‑Verify check.
UC Davis is a smoke‑free campus.
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