Junior Plant Pathology Research Specialist

University of California; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California Davis's Del Castillo Lab seeks a Junior Specialist with interest in sustainable agriculture, native habitats, and fungal ecology. The role emphasizes independent work, collaboration, and contributions to manuscripts, outreach, and reports.

Work spans lab, greenhouses, and off-campus facilities across California. The incumbent will support pathogen surveys, diagnostics, greenhouse trials, and literature reviews, while maintaining lab safety and mentoring undergraduate

Qualifications

• Minimum BS in Plant Pathology or related discipline by start date.
• Interest in sustainable agriculture, native habitats, forest restoration, disease diagnostics, plant health management, oomycete and fungal ecology, extension.
• Ability to work independently and with lab members with professional conduct.
• Excellent organization and time-management for short and long term tasks.
• Willingness to contribute to manuscripts, outreach publications and reports.

Responsibilities

• Assist PI/SRA/grad students on plant pathogen surveys in crops.
• Assist in diagnostics from intake to diagnostic reports.
• Support greenhouse trial development, including fungicide efficacy studies.
• Assist in plant testing at restoration nurseries across California.
• Develop and conduct lab/greenhouse trials and contribute to manuscripts and reports.
• Assist in grant proposal development based on preliminary data.
• Manage lab culture collections and long-term storage of isolates.
• Maintain safety standards, staff training, and ordering.

Skills

Organization

Independence

Collaboration

Scientific writing

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor of Science in Plant Pathology

Job description

University of California Davis's Del Castillo Lab seeks a Junior Specialist with interest in sustainable agriculture, native habitats, and fungal ecology. The role emphasizes independent work, collaboration, and contributions to manuscripts, outreach, and reports.

Work spans lab, greenhouses, and off-campus facilities across California. The incumbent will support pathogen surveys, diagnostics, greenhouse trials, and literature reviews, while maintaining lab safety and mentoring undergraduate