Postdoctoral Scholar / Lynch Lab

Overview

Salary range :

The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and / or step at appointment. See Table 23 : Postdoctoral Scholar-Employee, Postdoctoral Scholar-Fellow, Postdoctoral Scholar-Paid Direct, Fiscal Year. The salary range for this position is $69,073-$82,836. Off-scale salaries, i.e., a salary 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 : July 28, 2025

Most recent review date : Friday, Aug 15, 2025 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time). Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date : Sunday, Nov 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

The Lynch Lab (Forest Pathology and Plant Disease Ecology Lab) at UC Davis focuses on improving forest health through the study and management of emerging tree epidemics across wildland, peri-urban, and urban landscapes. We are seeking a motivated and qualified postdoctoral researcher to contribute to a suite of interdisciplinary projects on the ecology, epidemiology, and management of Fusarium dieback-invasive shothole borers (FD-ISHB) and other invasive forest pathogens in California.

This position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of disease ecology, microbiome science, spatial modeling, and applied management, while also playing a key role in mentoring and training the next generation of urban forest health professionals.

Research Areas

• Epidemiological modeling of invasive forest pests (e.g., SEIR simulations, phylogenetic epidemiology, risk mapping)
• Strategic tree selection and planting guidance for pest-resilient landscapes
• Experimental work on the environmental drivers of infestation severity (e.g., nutrient / water availability)
• Host range, reproductive potential, and behavioral plasticity of invasive shothole borers
• Tree microbiome characterization (endophytes, rhizosphere microbes) and microbial biocontrol development
• Field trials of biorational and plant-based treatments for pest / pathogen suppression
• Development of rapid diagnostic tools (e.g., LAMP assays) and monitoring technologies (e.g., trap optimization)
• Mentorship and training of student interns and California Conservation Corps participants in IPM and diagnostics
• Applied research to inform urban forest planning, equity, and climate adaptation strategies

Responsibilities

The incumbent will lead the design and execution of field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments, oversee data analysis, and prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals. They will contribute to model development and decision-support tools, such as interactive risk maps, and develop molecular diagnostics for pathogen detection and quantification. The role includes diagnosing tree diseases, processing samples, and reporting results to collaborators and stakeholders, as well as engaging regularly with land managers, extension specialists, and community partners. The incumbent will present research findings at scientific conferences, stakeholder meetings, and outreach events. They will also assist with laboratory management, supervise research staff, students, and interns, and contribute to grant reporting, protocol development, and experimental planning.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

(required at time of application)

Ph.D. in plant pathology, ecology, entomology, forestry, microbiology, or a related field. Ph.D. must be in awarded by the start of the position. Basic qualification must be met at time of application.

Preferred qualifications

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

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Reference requirements

Apply link : https : / / recruit.ucdavis.edu / JPF07255

Help contact : lvaldovinos@ucdavis.edu

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.

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 the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Some positions funded by federal contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check.

The University of California, Davis is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our values are reflected in our strategic plan and related campus programs. UC Davis is also advancing toward federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and sustaining a healthy and sustainable environment.

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.

Location

Job location : Davis, CA

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