Junior Specialist in Crop Sensing Group (2026)

The UC Davis-USDA ARS Crop Sensing Group seeks a full-time junior specialist to support the development and management of data research pipelines for a variety of multidisciplinary projects in biometeorology, crop sensing technologies, and plant ecophysiology. This position will be housed in a USDA lab at UC Davis and will support research activities related to advancing agricultural management decision support tools for agroecosystems in California, including, but not limited to grapevines, almonds, olives, and pistachios.

RESEARCH (90%)

• Play an integral role in the development and management of research data pipelines supporting the UC Davis-USDA ARS Crop Sensing Group.
• Support and advise the UC Davis-USDA ARS Crop Sensing Group on statistical methods and tools to advance research.
• Collaborate and support the UC Davis-USDA ARS Crop Sensing Group on creating novel data visualization for research publications and dashboards.
• Contribute to data synthesis and presentation for academic and extension audiences.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE & ACTIVITY (5%)

• Participate in group meetings and training activities.
• Engage in publishable research activities, including participating in discussions about research directions, interpreting results, and contributing to scientific publications.

UNIVERSITY & PUBLIC SERVICE (5%)
The candidate will assist in mentoring undergraduate students in basic field methods, techniques, and equipment use. Subject to funding availability, the candidate will present at regional meetings and or national conferences.

Work Environment:

• This position is hosted by a USDA-ARS laboratory at UC Davis.
• Work involves office, laboratory and field settings, requiring flexibility and adaptability.
• Collaborative work under the guidance of USDA-ARS researchers, including scientists and field support staff from the Sustainable Agricultural Water Systems ARS-USDA unit.

Per APM 330: it is inappropriate to appoint an individual with a Master’s or doctoral degree in the relevant discipline or a baccalaureate degree plus three or more years of experience with the specialized methods as a Junior Specialist.

B.S. in Statistics, Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related field.

• Formal Computer Science coursework.
• Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to contributing to outreach activities and research dissemination.

* Experience with spatial and satellite imagery
* Experience with meteorological data

• 3 required (contact information only)

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.

• “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.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM – 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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

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 for 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 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

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