Assistant Specialist

The Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Riverside, invites applications for an Assistant Specialist to oversee and support research operations related to the SPACE tomatoes project and space-based plant growth missions, including collaborations with NASA and Space Force missions under Professor Robert Jinkerson. This is a full-time position.

Appointees to the Assistant Specialist rank must possess a Master's degree (or equivalent) or have at least five years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization. The candidate must have experience growing and phenotyping tomato plants, analyzing large datasets using Python, collaborating professionally with others, and contributing to the team's research goals.

The preferred qualifications for this position are: Prior work in space biology; biotechnology, or controlled environment agriculture, expertise in high-throughput screening of plant mutants; knowledge of NASA spaceflight experiment protocols and biosafety regulations; experience growing, cultivating, and maintaining SPACE tomatoes in vitro and in greenhouse environments; ability to phenotype SPACE tomatoes, record, and analyze data for publications, and assist in other plant related tasks, such as lettuce cultivation.

The ideal candidate must have a strong interest in managing lab operations for plant-based space research, including greenhouse and controlled environment chambers. Key responsibilities include:

* Coordinating SPACE tomato experiments, optimizing growth conditions, and ensuring accurate data collection for space missions.

* Assisting with metabolic engineering and plant transformation to enhance crop performance in space and controlled environments.

* Supporting artificial photosynthesis projects by integrating electrochemically derived carbon sources for plant and microbial growth.

* Contributing to deep-space food production research, including alternative food systems for long-duration missions.

* Ensuring compliance with biosafety and research protocols for NASA and Space Force collaborations.

* Managing supplies and equipment for plant growth trials, spaceflight experiments, and bioengineering studies.

* Collaborating with research teams on data analysis, reporting, and manuscript preparation.

* Mentoring team members, preparing reports, and publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals.

Advancement through the specialist ranks at the University of California is through a series of structured, merit-based evaluations, occurring every 2-3 years, each of which includes substantial input. The appointment is expected to begin on May 12, 2025. The duration of the appointment will be for two years, dependent upon grant funding.

Interested individuals should apply online at https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/apply/JPF02065. Applications must include a cover letter, recently updated curriculum vitae, 1-2 sample publications, contact information for three references, and a statement of research interests. Review of applications will begin May 5, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled.

The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See Table(s) https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/compensation/2024-25-academic-salary-scales.html The salary range for this position is $61,300-68,300. "Off-scale salaries" and other components of pay, 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 condition. Salary will be commensurate upon education and experience in accordance with university-established salary scales found on the Office of the President's website: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/compensation/index.html.

For more information on the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, please visit https://www.engr.ucr.edu/

For inquiries and questions please refer to the contact email address under the specific recruitment on the AP Recruit website.

1) Must now how to grow and phenotype tomato plants

2) Must be able to analyze large datasets with python

3) Must work with others in a professional manner and help the team achieve our research goals

4) Appointees to the Assistant rank should possess a Master's degree (or equivalent degree) or five years of experience demonstrating expertise in the relevant specialization.

1) Prior work in space biology, biotechnology, or controlled environment agriculture.

2) Experience with high-throughput screening of plant mutants.

3) Knowledge of NASA spaceflight experiment protocols and biosafety regulations.

4) Grow, cultivate, and maintain SPACE tomatoes in vitro and in the greenhouse

5) Phenotype SPACE tomatoes, record, and analyze data. Prepare data for publications.

6) Assist in other plant related tasks, such as lettuce cultivation.

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students.

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The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). A commitment to the UCR mission (https://apro.ucr.edu/mission-statement) is a preferred qualification.

We seek to hire scholars who will both advance our research directions and effectively educate our undergraduate and graduate students, while also engaging with University and Professional service activities. Research and teaching statements that are included with application materials are opportunities for candidates to share knowledge, experience, and goals that support the mission of UCR. For more information on UC's criteria for successful faculty, refer to the Academic Personnel Manual (APM) 210 - Criteria for Appointment, Promotion, and Appraisal (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-210.pdf).

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 categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

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.

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. A Misconduct Disclosure Survey will be completed through Truescreen, which is the vendor that administers this process for the campus.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.

For the University of California's Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy please visit:

https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students, and Third Parties, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy please visit: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf.