Assistant Project Scientist/Grettenberger Lab

UC Davis College of Engineering; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university is seeking an Assistant Project Scientist to lead research on the epidemiology of a virus affecting lettuce. The role involves field surveys, experimental design, and working collaboratively with scientists and stakeholders to advance plant health research.

Qualifications

• Experience performing virus transmission assays using insect vectors.
• Knowledge of maintaining insect colonies and virus cultures.
• Proven experience in molecular diagnostic assays for plant viruses.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field surveys to identify INSV reservoirs in Salinas Valley.
• Develop and execute research protocols for data analysis.
• Collaborate with university and government researchers.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Collaborative skills

Scientific writing

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Education

Ph.D. in Entomology, Biology, or related field

Job description

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Position overview

Salary range: The salary range for this position is $76,700-$97,600. “Off-scale salaries”, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience.

Application Window

Open date: June 6, 2025

Next review date: Saturday, Jun 21, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

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

Final date: Monday, Jun 30, 2025 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

The Project Scientist makes significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in his/her academic discipline. The appointee possesses the subject matter expertise and the creative energy necessary to function at a high level of competence. The appointee will participate in activities to increase, improve, or upgrade competency. Appointees with Project (e.g., Scientist) titles may engage in University and public service. They do not have teaching responsibilities. Although the Project Scientist is expected to work independently

under the general guidance of an academic member with an independent research program (i.e., Professor, Professional Researcher, Specialist in Cooperative Extension, etc.), he/she is not required to develop an independent research program or reputation. He/she will conduct research or creative programs with supervision by an individual in an academic title that carries with it automatic Principal Investigator status. The Project Scientist does not usually serve as a Principal Investigator but may do so by exception.

The Assistant Project Scientist will lead a research project that aims to improve the epidemiological knowledge of impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV), an insect-transmitted virus affecting lettuce. Specifically, the candidate will conduct field surveys to identify geographical locations of INSV reservoirs in the Salinas Valley. The candidate will also perform INSV susceptibility tests on a panel of native and beneficial plants to identify safe options for on and off farm plantings. The candidate must have experience performing virus transmission assays using insect vectors, maintaining insect colonies and virus cultures, and performing molecular diagnostic assays for the detection of plant viruses. The Assistant Project Scientist will be employed by UC Davis in the laboratory of Dr. Ian Grettenberger and located full-time at the USDA-ARS in Salinas, CA under the supervision of Dr. Grettenberger. The candidate will work closely in partnership with Dr. Daniel Hasegawa, a USDA-ARS entomologist based in Salinas, CA. He and Dr. Grettenberger collaborate on various project involving integrated management of key arthropod pests in cool season vegetables, including aphids, thrips, and diamondback moth. For this project, he brings in particular his expertise in INSV dynamics and virus transmission studies.

The candidate is expected to develop and execute protocols to conduct the research, analyze the data using appropriate statistical methods, and report on the outcomes of the work in the form of project meetings, grant reports, and peer reviewed scientific manuscripts. In addition, the candidate is expected to work in a highly collaborative environment with university and government researchers, undergraduate students and lab technicians, as well as stakeholders from the leafy greens vegetable industry.

Major Responsibilities And Designated Areas Of Expertise

Research in Specialized areas (95%):

The candidate will conduct field surveys to identify epidemiologically relevant plant reservoirs for INSV in the Salinas Valley by implementing sampling protocols and diagnostic assays (ELISA and RT-qPCR). The candidate will also conduct INSV transmission assays using insect vectors (thrips) to a panel of native and beneficial plant species that provide various ecosystem services, including cover crops, insectary habitat, ground cover and erosion control. The candidate will be responsible for propagating and maintaining healthy and virus-inoculated plants in a greenhouse. As such, the candidate will be expected to independently design research projects, implement research protocols, analyze the data using the appropriate statistical methods, and to publish research results in scientific peer reviewed journals. In addition, the candidate must be able to work collaboratively with the director and other members of the research team and assist in preparing required grant reports. Responsibilities are broken down as follows: Demonstrate significant, original, and creative contributions to the outlined research (75%), publish research results in scientific peer reviewed journals (15%), and assist in the preparation of grant reports (5%).

Professional Competence and Activity (5%):

The candidate will participate in grower and extension meetings, workshops, and present abstracts at scientific conferences specific to the field of plant pathology and entomology. 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.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

This position requires possession of a Ph.D. degree in Entomology, Biology, or related field is required. Degree must be awarded by start of position

Additional Qualifications (required At Time Of Start)

Incumbent will also be required to have knowledge of performing virus transmission assays using insect vectors, maintaining insect colonies and virus cultures, and performing molecular diagnostic assays for the detection of plant viruses. The candidate is also expected to develop and execute protocols to conduct the research, analyze the data using appropriate statistical methods, and report on the outcomes of the work in the form of project meetings, grant reports, and peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts

Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

• Proven experience conducting virus transmission assays using insect vectors
• Expertise maintaining insect colonies and virus cultures
• Demonstrated experience conducting molecular diagnostic assays for the detection of plant viruses.
• Knowledge and experience working with soilborne pathogens to set up co-inoculation studies with insect-transmitted viruses
• Knowledge and experience working performing DNA and RNA extractions from insects/plants and developing and implementing multiplex qPCR protocols.
• Excellent scientific writing skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills for working with a diverse team, collaborators and stakeholders and demonstrated communication skills
• Strong data analytical skills
• Flexibility to manage multiple projects and conduct effective and efficient project management
• Fluency in English and Spanish to communicate the outcomes of the research to stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and write up research protocols
  
  

Application Requirements

Document Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form.
  
  

Reference Requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)
  
  

Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07145

Help contact: [e-mail]

About UC Davis

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
  
  

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state for federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400.

UC Davis also is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis Health.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location

Salinas, CA

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

• Industries

  Higher Education

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