Field and Diagnostic Research Technician (SRA 2 NEX)

Job Summary



The primary function of this position is to provide support to field and greenhouse-based research projects by assisting in field experimental procedures; a secondary function is to provide support to the plant disease diagnostic laboratory through plant pathology techniques. This position has some student oversight roles, although all direct management will be done by other lab managers.

Apply By Date May 21, 2025 at 11:59pm

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Valid CA driver's license to drive a university vehicle.
• Required to hold a valid California driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program
• Bachelor's in Science degree related to plants, agriculture, crop production and/or equivalent experience.
• Experience conducting field work on agricultural crops.
• Experience with maintaining greenhouse plants.
• Experience working in teams.
• Experience conducting fungal bioassays (isolations, inoculations), and in culturing fungi.
• Knowledge, skill, and ability to perform plant propagation, weeding, irrigation system repair, and pest scouting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education in plant pests.
• Greenhouse trial management, specifically for trials involving plant diseases and data collection entry.

Key Responsibilities

• 40% - Maintaining Field Trails
• 30% - Maintaining Greenhouse Trails
• 20% - Data Collection and Entry
• 10% - Diagnostic Lab Assistance

Department Overview

Plant Pathology is a teaching, research, and extension department within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The purpose of this department is to determine the nature and cause of plant diseases, promote the science of plant pathology, provide leadership in research and teaching programs, and train qualified scientists to continue the principals and conduct high quality mission-oriented and fundamental research. The mission of the UC Davis Plant Pathology department is to improve plant health in the agricultural and natural landscape, so as to ensure long term food security and continuation of natural resource availability at the local, national and global scale. Through partnerships with producers, regulatory agencies, consumer communities and industry, we seek to identify key disease problems, develop short, medium and long-term solutions, and disseminate critical management information.

This position will contribute to the Swett lab program, which conducts applied ecological research on fungal pathogens across a suit of vegetable and field crops. We explore how environmental conditions influence survival and host associations, and seek to better understand life history strategies of Fusarium spp. and other soil borne fungal pathogens as endophytes, pathogens and saprophytes in agroecosystems. All projects are developed in response to growers needs and aim to produce translational and/or directly applicable information and resources for producers to more effectively co-manage diseases, water use and soil health as interacting components in agricultural systems. The Swett lab has a strong outreach component and aims to provide rapid and frequent communication to growers, to enable improved disease management methods.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $28.88/hr. - $46.46/hr.
• Salary Frequency: Bi-Weekly
• UC Job Title: SRA 2 NEX
• UC Job Code: 009617
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Limited
• Percentage of Time: 100% - Variable
• Shift (Work Schedule): MTRF 7:30am-3:30pm; W 9am-5pm
• Location: Davis, CA.
• Union Representation: RX-Research Support Professionals
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is hybrid (mix of on-site and remote work)

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.

If you are represented by a union, benefits are negotiated between the University of California (UC) and your union and finalized in a contract. Read your bargaining unit's employment contract, stay abreast of current negotiations and learn about collective bargaining at UC: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/index.html

High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs

UC pays for Dental and Vision insurance premiums for you and your family

Extensive leave benefits including Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave

Paid Holidays annually as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement

Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement

Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Education Reimbursement Program as stipulated in the UC Davis Health Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreement

Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth

WorkLife and Wellness programs and resources

On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services

Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance and legal coverage

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer & Student Loan Repayment Assistance Program for qualified roles

Retirement benefit options for eligible roles including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans. More information on our retirement benefits can be found here

Physical Demands

• Standing - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Walking - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Sitting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Environmental Demands

• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Loud noise levels - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Microwave/Radiation - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Extreme Temperatures - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Communication skills - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Field work involves working for long hours on your feet conducting manual labor under warm conditions; heat safety awareness is critical. Some field work involves working on or around large farm equipment and in commercial fields treated with agricultural pesticides, requiring spatial awareness and protocols for handling footwear and garments exposed to pesticide residues. Drive at up to 2 hours round trip on freeways to get to regional farm sites.

Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position

• N/A

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

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

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks


To apply, visit https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucdavis/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&JobOpeningId=77774&PostingSeq=1&SiteId=7〈uageCd=ENG&FOCUS=Applicant

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. 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.





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About University of California Davis

UC Davis is the home of the Aggies — go-getters, change makers and problem solvers who make their mark at one of the top public universities in the United States. Since we first opened in 1908, we’ve been known for standout academics, sustainability and Aggie Pride as well as valuing the Northern California lifestyle. These themes are woven into our 100-plus-year history and our reputation for solving problems related to food, health, the environment and society.Our 5,300-acre campus is in the city of Davis, a vibrant college town of about 68,000 located in Yolo County. The state capital is 20 minutes away, and world-class destinations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Lake Tahoe and the Napa Valley are within a two-hour drive.

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