Agricultural Soil Health Jr. Research Specialist


Position overview
Position title: Agricultural Soil Health Jr. Research Specialist
Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $53,100.

Percent time: Full-time (100%)

Anticipated start: August 1, 2025.

Position duration: Fifteen months.

Application Window

Open date: April 30, 2025

Most recent review date: Friday, May 30, 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: Tuesday, Jul 1, 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


Assistant Professor and Agronomist Hannah Waterhouse in the UCSC Environmental Studies Department invites applications for an Agricultural Soil Health Junior Research Specialist.

The Waterhouse Lab examines how building soil health in agroecosystems influences soil-based ecosystem services, with a focus on nitrogen, carbon, and water cycling while grounding this research in the socioeconomic and policy context farmers are operating within. The junior specialist will support the management of multiple research projects, ensuring that tasks and deliverables are being met in a timely and rigorous manner. This includes conducting field and laboratory work, while also supervising and managing a team of undergraduate researchers supporting the projects. Further, the junior specialist will manage the laboratory's daily operations which includes ensuring a clean and safe working space; sieving and prepping soil for lab assays; and conducting laboratory assays including colorimetric assays and elemental analysis, data management and data analysis.

The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, organized, communicative, independent, and curious. Applicants with expertise or experience in the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Training and experience in experimental design, field work, sensor installation, pipetting, colorimetric assays, elemental analysis, calibration of sophisticated instruments, and/or laboratory safety and safe handling of hazardous chemicals.
• Strong programming skills in R or Python (with R being preferred) as well as strong statistical analysis and data visualization skills.

The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.



Environmental Studies Department: https://envs.ucsc.edu/index.html


Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at the time the application is submitted)

• B.S. (or equivalent foreign degree) in ecology, soil science, biology, chemistry, environmental engineering, hydrology, civil engineering, biomolecular engineering, or a related field.
  
• Bench laboratory skills, statistical analysis, field work experience, and computer programming experience (e.g., R or Python).
  

Your application must demonstrate that you meet all of the basic qualifications listed above when you submit your application. There are no exceptions to this requirement.


Application Requirements


Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. If applicable, please include DOI links or the URLs of PDFs for all publications listed on your CV. Additionally, please include the names and contact information for a minimum of three professional references. The committee will conduct reference checks for those applicants who are under serious consideration.
  
• Cover Letter
  

Apply link: https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF01904

Help contact: hawaterh@ucsc.edu

About UC Santa Cruz


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.

• 'Misconduct' means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicants previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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 covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

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.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at roberts@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4602.

Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), UCSC publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.

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 UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz, as outlined in campus policy CAPM 102.530.

UCSC is a smoke & tobacco-free campus.

UCSC is committed to addressing the spousal and partner employment needs of our candidates and employees. As part of this commitment, our institution is a member of the Northern California Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (NorCal HERC). Visit the NorCal HERC website to search for open positions within a commutable distance of our institution.

The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance.

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.

VISIT UC Santa Cruz


Job location

Santa Cruz, CA


To apply, visit https://recruit.ucsc.edu/JPF01904







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