Assistant Specialist (50% FTE) in Civil & Environmental Engineering - Marvinney - 2026/27

University of California - Davis; Davis (CA); Presencial; USD 66.000 - 71.000; A tiempo parcial

Descripción de la vacante

The Kendall Lab at UC Davis seeks an Assistant Specialist to support a USDA SARE-funded project evaluating orchard management practices for soil carbon and grower economics in California perennial systems. Travel may be required to field sites in California.

The role involves fieldwork, lab measurements, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and preparing reports and research products. 50% FTE, 20 hours/week with a strong emphasis on collaboration and communication.

Formación

• Master's degree in International Agricultural Development, Soil Science, Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, Sustainable Agricultural Systems, or a closely related field.
• Field research experience in agricultural settings with soil sampling.
• Experience processing and analyzing soil samples using standard laboratory methods.
• Experience organizing and managing research data in Excel or comparable software.
• Experience preparing figures, tables, and written summaries from research data.
• Experience communicating and coordinating with growers or agricultural stakeholders.
• Experience contributing to grant proposals or technical research and progress reports.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to maintain accurate research records.
• Ability to travel to field research sites in California.

Responsabilidades

• Coordinate and lead soil sampling events in collaboration with lab members, including scheduling, travel logistics, field equipment preparation, and sample storage.
• Design spatially randomized sampling schemes using GIS software to support robust field sampling.
• Collect soil cores at field sites across multiple timepoints (baseline and post-treatment).
• Process soil samples and conduct laboratory analyses using established methods.
• Prepare and submit samples to UC Davis Analytical Laboratory and manage analysis orders and results.
• Maintain accurate field and laboratory records and organize research datasets with QC checks.
• Perform quantitative analyses and prepare figures, tables and summaries using Excel or similar software.
• Serve as contact for growers and project partners; coordinate field activities.
• Conduct literature reviews and compile data on soil carbon, orchard biomass, and carbon markets.
• Assist with evaluating economic feasibility of soil carbon practices for growers.
• Contribute to grant proposals, progress reports, and other project deliverables.

Conocimientos

Field research

Soil sampling

Data analysis

Excel proficiency

GIS knowledge

Educación

Master's degree in International Agricultural Development or related field

Herramientas

ArcGIS

UC Davis Analytical Lab coordination

Descripción del empleo

Position overview

Salary range: $65,800 - $71,300

Application Window

Open date: October 19, 2026

Next review date: Wednesday, Nov 4, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

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

Final date: Friday, Oct 1, 2027 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

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering at the University of California, Davis invites applications from qualified candidates for an Assistant Specialist position at 50% FTE, 20 hours a week.

Qualifications: Master's degree in International Agricultural Development, Soil Science, Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, Sustainable Agricultural Systems, or a closely related field.

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.

JOB SUMMARY AND DESIGNATED AREA OF EXPERTISE

The Kendall Lab at UC Davis seeks an Assistant Specialist to support an ongoing USDA SARE-funded research project evaluating orchard management practices, including whole orchard recycling (WOR) and enhanced weathering soil amendments, for their effects on soil carbon, soil health, and grower economics in California perennial cropping systems. The position will contribute to field and laboratory research, data management and analysis, grower and stakeholder engagement, and the preparation of reports, proposals, and other research products, including assessment of the economic and carbon market feasibility of these practices.

The position will involve a combination of fieldwork, laboratory measurements, computer-based data analysis, and research communication. Field activities will require travel from UC Davis to research sites in California.

I. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (90% EFFORT)

• Coordinate and lead soil sampling events in collaboration with lab members, including scheduling, travel logistics, field equipment preparation, and sample storage.
• Design spatially randomized sampling schemes using GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS) to support statistically robust field sampling.
• Collect soil cores at field research sites across multiple timepoints, including baseline and post-treatment sampling.
• Process soil samples and conduct laboratory analyses following established methods (ex: Loss-on-Ignition for soil organic matter and bulk density determination)
• Prepare and submit samples to the UC Davis Analytical Laboratory and manage analysis orders and results.
• Maintain accurate field and laboratory records and organize research datasets, including quality-control checks.
• Perform quantitative analyses of field and laboratory data and prepare figures, tables, and summaries using Excel and other statistical or visualization software.
• Serve as a point of contact for growers, agricultural service providers, and project partners. Coordinate field activities such as amendment applications, plot marking, and material delivery.
• Conduct literature reviews and compile data on soil carbon sequestration, orchard biomass pathways, and carbon credit market mechanisms to support project objectives.
• Assist with evaluating the economic feasibility of soil carbon practices for growers, including potential access to carbon credit markets.
• Contribute to grant proposals, progress reports, concept notes, manuscripts, and other project deliverables.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5% EFFORT)

The Assistant Specialist will participate in lab meetings and research discussions, stay current with relevant scientific literature in soil carbon, sustainable agriculture, and carbon markets, and may present research at lab meetings, departmental seminars, grower meetings, and scientific conferences.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)

The Assistant Specialist will support project outreach to growers and non-academic audiences, including preparing outreach materials and participating in grower events and field days. They may also help train undergraduate researchers or new lab members in established fields and laboratory methods.

POSITION AVAILABLE/CLOSING DATE: For full consideration applications should be received by November 1, 2026. Position will remain open until filled.

Qualified applicants should upload a cover letter detailing their qualifications for the position, curriculum vitae or resume and contact information for 3 professional references online. All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For more information about the department, please visit the website:

QUESTIONS: Please direct questions to Elias Marvinney ([e-mail]).

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Master's degree in International Agricultural Development, Soil Science, Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, Sustainable Agricultural Systems, or a closely related field.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)

• Experience conducting field research in agricultural settings, including soil sample collection.
• Experience processing and analyzing soil samples using standard laboratory methods.
• Experience organizing and managing research data in Excel or comparable software.
• Experience preparing figures, tables, and written summaries from research data.
• Experience communicating and coordinating with growers or agricultural stakeholders.
• Experience contributing to grant proposals or technical research and progress reports.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to maintain accurate research records.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a research team.
• Ability and willingness to travel to field research sites in California.

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

• Experience with soil carbon measurement techniques, including Loss-on-Ignition analysis and muffle furnace operation.
• Experience generating sampling designs using ArcGIS or other GIS software.
• Experience with process-based soil carbon models (e.g., DNDC)
• Familiarity with soil carbon measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) concepts and carbon credit markets.
• Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau.
• Experience developing outreach materials for growers and non-academic audiences.
• Experience coordinating with commodity boards, agricultural service providers, or industry partners.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Cover Letter - Details qualifications for the position
• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• 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.
• Statement of Research (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 3-8 required (contact information only)

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.

• "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 prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affiate 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.

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 or 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.

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Job location

Davis, CA