Jr. Specialist - UC Davis Strawberry Breeding Program

University of California - Davis; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 60,700; Full time

Job summary

The University of California - Davis is seeking a motivated Junior Specialist for its Strawberry Breeding Program. This role involves hands-on agricultural research including managing greenhouse and field operations, transplanting, and supporting collaborative research. Ideal candidates enjoy outdoor work and problem-solving.

Basic qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in related fields and experience in plant research. The compensation ranges from $57,000 to $60,700 based on experience. This dynamic position contributes significantly to strawberry production research.

Qualifications

• Experience working with plants in greenhouse, field, nursery, or agricultural research settings.
• Ability to collect, organize, and record research data accurately.
• Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor and greenhouse work.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with research personnel on strawberry breeding and maintenance.
• Support planting and harvest activities, managing irrigation and experiments.
• Maintain accurate records, including plant inventories and trial documentation.

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Reliability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences, Agriculture, Horticulture, or related field

Job description

Position Overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for the Jr. Specialist position is $57,000 at Step 1 or $60,700 at Step 2.

Open date: June 23, 2026

Next review date: Thursday, Jul 23, 2026 at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Wednesday, Jun 23, 2027 at 11:59 pm (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 UC Davis Strawberry Breeding Program seeks a motivated and highly organized Junior Specialist to join a dynamic, field‑based research team working to develop the next generation of improved strawberry cultivars. This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to one of the nation’s leading public strawberry breeding programs, supporting research that impacts growers, nurseries, consumers, and the broader strawberry industry.

The Junior Specialist will play an active role in greenhouse, nursery, and field operations, including organizing strawberry plants for transplanting, supporting planting and harvest activities, managing irrigation, maintaining greenhouse and field experiments, and scouting for pests, diseases, and plant health issues. The position will also help coordinate with seasonal labor crews to ensure that critical research activities are completed accurately, efficiently, and on schedule.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys hands‑on agricultural research, working outdoors, solving practical problems, and being part of a collaborative team. The Junior Specialist will help maintain plant inventories, support field trial logistics, collect and organize research observations, and contribute to the day‑to‑day success of breeding and germplasm maintenance in greenhouse and field settings.

Major Responsibilities and Designated Areas of Expertise

1. I. Research in Specialized Areas (90 % effort)
   • A. Collaborate with other research and extension personnel affiliated with research activities involving strawberry breeding, germplasm maintenance, and pathology. Evaluation of performance in research activities or outreach activities as deemed applicable to the individual project can be documented through publications, letters, presentations, and related evidence.
   • B. Serve as a research coordinator for agricultural and crop production projects conducted by PIs in the department, ensuring uninterrupted communication, data management, and preparation of reports.
     • Accurate execution of greenhouse, nursery, and field research protocols.
     • Timely organization, labeling, movement, and preparation of strawberry plants for transplanting.
     • Participation in planting, transplanting, crop maintenance, harvest, and field trial activities.
     • Maintenance of accurate plant inventories, field maps, greenhouse records, and trial documentation.
     • Collection and entry of field, greenhouse, phenotyping, scouting, or plant health data.
     • Irrigation monitoring, troubleshooting, and documentation in greenhouse and field settings.
     • Routine scouting for pests, diseases, irrigation problems, plant stress, and other production issues.
     • Communication of field and greenhouse observations to Allison Krill‑Brown, the PI, or other research personnel.
     • Assistance with preparation of supplies, plants, labels, maps, samples, and materials needed for research activities.
     • Support for germplasm, seedling, foundation nursery, commercial nursery, and field trial activities.
     • Demonstrated reliability, attention to detail, and ability to complete assigned research tasks independently under supervision.
     • Effective collaboration with program staff, students, seasonal labor crews, growers, extension personnel, and research partners, without direct supervisory responsibility.
   • C. Hold a valid driver’s license with a driving record in accordance with local policies and procedures, or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.
   • D. Candidates who hold a master’s or doctoral degree in the relevant discipline are disqualified from this position.
2. II. Professional Competence and Activity (5 % effort)
   • Participate in professional societies or groups such as the American Society of Horticulture Sciences, California Strawberry Commission.
   • Attend scholarly conferences such as the UC Davis Plant Sciences Symposium, National Association of Plant Breeders, North American Strawberry Growers Association.
3. III. University and Public Service (5 % effort)
   • Maintain liaison and respond to the needs of various industry organizations, state and federal agencies, and other external groups on issues related to the area of expertise.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications (required at time of application)

• A. Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences, Agriculture, Horticulture, Plant Breeding, or related field.
• B. Experience working with plants in greenhouse, field, nursery, or agricultural research settings (planting, transplanting, watering, harvesting, and general crop maintenance).
• C. Ability to collect, organize, and record research data accurately, including field notes, phenotyping data, sample labels, and basic spreadsheet entry.
• D. Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor and greenhouse work, including standing for long periods, bending, lifting, working in variable weather, and following safety protocols.
• E. Strong reliability, attention to detail, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team, following research protocols and supervisor instructions.
• F. Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications (not required)

• G. Written and oral communication skill in Spanish.
• H. Experience working around pesticides.
• I. Valid driver's license and ability to drive in CA.

Application Requirements

Document requirements:

• Curriculum Vitae – most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Authorization to Release Information Form (required for all applicants). Download, complete, sign, and upload the form.

Reference requirements:

• Two (2) reference contacts only.

Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07704

Help contact: [e-mail]

Equal Opportunity & E‑Verify

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 and 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 the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub‑contracts may require a successful candidate to pass an E‑Verify check.

Job Location

Davis, CA; Wolfskill Experimental Orchard