Junior or Assistant Specialist Position - Oldroyd Lab

UC Davis; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Davis, in partnership with the USDA-ARS SAWS Research Unit, seeks a Junior Specialist or Assistant Specialist to support micrometeorology and hydrogeology research. The role centers on applying fiber-optic Distributed Temperature Sensing (FODTS) to measure detailed soil-plant-atmosphere temperature dynamics and subsurface conditions.

The successful candidate will participate in field campaigns across California’s Central Valley and mountainous regions, assist in data

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Hydrogeology, Atmospheric Science, Geosciences, Soil Physics, or closely related discipline.
• Strong foundation in environmental measurement techniques and data handling.
• Experience with field campaigns and data quality control is preferred.

Responsibilities

• FODTS deployment, calibration, and operation for micrometeorological and subsurface monitoring.
• Field data collection across diverse field sites (agricultural, groundwater, mountains).
• Process and analyze time-series environmental data and meteorological datasets.
• Contribute to dissemination through reports, presentations, and manuscripts.

Skills

FODTS deployment

Field data collection

Time-series data analysis

Scientific collaboration

Education

B.S. or M.S. in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Hydrogeology, Atmospheric Science, Geosciences, Soil Physics

Tools

Fiber-optic DTS equipment

Job description

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

Join a dynamic, interdisciplinary research team combining expertise from the University of California, Davis, and the USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). We are seeking an enthusiastic Junior Specialist or Assistant Specialist to support cutting-edge micrometeorology and hydrogeology research led by Prof. Holly Oldroyd (UC Davis) and Drs. Scott Bradford and Gordon Osterman (USDA-ARS).

This position focuses heavily on the application of fiber-optic Distributed Temperature Sensing (FODTS) to measure high-resolution spatial and temporal temperature dynamics across the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum and subsurface environments. The successful candidate will contribute to groundbreaking work assessing evapotranspiration, micrometeorological fluxes, and managed aquifer recharge (MAR) processes across California’s Central Valley and in California Mountains.

Key Responsibilities

Research Activities (90%)

• FODTS Deployment & Maintenance: Assist in the design, installation, calibration, and routine operation of fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing systems for micrometeorological and subsurface monitoring.
• Field Monitoring & Logistics: Play an integral role in field data collection across agricultural, groundwater recharge, mountain, and forest sites.
• Laboratory & Data Analysis: Process, quality-control, and analyze time-series environmental data (specifically FODTS temperature matrices and meteorological datasets).
• Research Dissemination: Synthesize research findings, generate visualization products, and contribute to progress reports, academic presentations, and peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Professional Competence & Activity (5%)

• Participate actively in lab group meetings, academic seminars, and professional training workshops.
• Assist USDA-ARS and UC Davis scientists with laboratory safety compliance, chemical inventory management, equipment maintenance, vendor relations, and standard operating procedure (SOP) development.
• Collaborate on research directions, data interpretation, and co-authorship of scientific publications.

University & Public Service (5%)

• Assist in recruiting and mentoring undergraduate student assistants in field safety, basic environmental measurement techniques, and laboratory procedures.
• Supervision of undergraduate student assistants required only if hired to Assistant Rank

Work Environment

• Host Institution: This position is hosted at the USDA-ARS Sustainable Agricultural Water Systems (SAWS) Research Unit on the UC Davis campus.
• Setting: Dynamic split between laboratory analysis, computational data processing, and physical field work in diverse weather conditions across the Central Valley and mountains in California.
• Collaboration: Daily interaction and guidance from UC Davis faculty, USDA-ARS research scientists, postdocs, and technical support staff.

• B.S. or M.S. degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Hydrogeology, Atmospheric Science, Geosciences, Soil Physics, or a closely related discipline.