Assistant Project Scientist- Tian Lab

Position overview

Salary range : The salary range for this position is $74,100-$94,200. "Off-scale salaries", i.e., a salary that is 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 2, 2024

Most recent review date : Thursday, Aug 8, 2024 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 : Monday, Jun 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 Tian Lab in the Department of Plant Sciences at UC Davis seeks to fill a full-time position at the Assistant Project Scientist level.

The successful candidate will investigate research topics in crop metabolism, nutritional improvement, and environmental interactions.

Efforts include devising, developing, and implementing strategies to enhance crop nutritional value through biofortification as well as interrogating biochemical and physiological processes in tree crops pertinent to their interactions with the environment.

The candidate will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator (PI). They may supervise students or technicians regarding the technical aspects of the research The position consists of 90% research, 5% professional competence activity, and 5% university and public service.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE :

I. RESEARCH IN SPECIALIZED AREAS (90% EFFORT)

Research activity (65%)

This position requires creative contributions to and collaborative development of an active research program investigating topics relevant to the research area of crop metabolism, nutritional improvement, and environmental interactions.

The candidate will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator. He / she / they will design specific projects, including the selection of appropriate methods and techniques.

In some cases the candidate may supervise students or technicians regarding the technical aspects of the research, including methods development, trouble-shooting problems, interpreting results and planning follow-up experiments.

Publication (15%)

The candidate will publish research results in peer-reviewed journals, books and other outlets, such as project reports, either independently or in collaboration with the PI or other members of the research team.

Grant Acquisition (10%)

The candidate will assist in acquiring proposals for funding from federal and state agencies and other funding organizations, such as commodity boards.

The candidate will prepare and assist in the preparation of reports as required by granting agencies. The candidate will interact with funding agencies and prepare modifications of budgets and other grant components as needed.

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5% EFFORT)

The candidate will participate in professional societies, such as Phytochemical Society of North America (PSNA) and National Association of Plant Breeders (NIPB), and conferences, such as PSNA and NIPB annual conferences, appropriate to his / her specific field.

They will serve as a reviewer of research proposals and scientific publications as appropriate. The candidate will attend departmental seminars to present research results and may give oral presentations to public and professional interest groups during the professional societies' annual conferences.

When appropriate, the candidate may coordinate and / or give presentations at seminars, laboratory meetings or educational functions.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)

The candidate will engage in public outreach activities that include presenting scientific research results

to the general public and providing relevant advice to individuals and public agencies. The candidate will engage in University service activities, such as guest lecturing at undergraduate and graduate courses, and committee service, such as the departmental Picnic Day committee.

Teaching classroom courses is not an expectation of this position.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

required at time of application)

a. A Ph.D. in plant science, horticulture and agronomy, plant breeding, or a related field. It is expected that the degree requirement will be completed by the time of the appointment.

b. A strong peer-reviewed publication record from the past 5 years.

c. Experience in biochemical pathway elucidation.

d. Hands-on experience with wheat plants and tree crops.

Additional qualifications

required at time of start)

e. A minimum of 3 years of postdoctoral experience in crop metabolism and nutritional improvement.

f. A track record of at least 5 peer-reviewed publications on wheat plants and / or tree crops.

Preferred qualifications

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

g. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

h. Experience in supervising and training lab personnel and ability to collaborate effectively in a team.

i. Experience in working with tree crop winter dormancy.

j. A record of publications in high-impact journals.

k. A record of obtaining extramural grant support.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants.

Visit https : / / academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu / faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.

Cover letter

Statement of Research

Reference requirements

4-6 required (contact information only)

References must not be employed at UCD.

Apply link : https : / / recruit.ucdavis.edu / JPF06578

Help contact : [email protected]

About UC Davis

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http : / / breathefree.ucdavis.edu / ).

We are an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial / ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action 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 categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy, please visit : https : / / policy.ucop.edu / doc / 4010393 / PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit : http : / / policy.ucop.edu / doc / 1001004 / Anti-Discrimination

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.

More information is available at : http : / / www.uscis.gov / e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do.

UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population.

Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision , our strategic plan : "To Boldly Go," our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs' Mission Statement , and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400 : Policy on University of California Diversity Statement .

UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution .

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their "Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.

There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings .

UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come .

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.

Job location

Davis, CA