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Location

Davis, CA | United States

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Job description

Asst. Project Scientist - Growing GRASS Project

Position Overview:
A reasonable estimate for this position is $71,500.00 - $91,000.00.00 for Asst. Project Scientist

NATURE AND PURPOSE

Growing GRASS is a new national project that will help U.S. meat producers optimize total value from their regenerative grazing operations through lowered costs of claims verification and market access, increased penetrance into value-added markets that more fully utilize and value the whole animal, and incentivization of climate-smart grazing systems that reduce costs, increase resiliency, and deliver public benefits to the environment and climate. The Growing GRASS team includes meat producers and processors, retailers, sustainability certifiers and auditors, as well as research and information technology development partners, including the University of California Davis (UCD) which will lead the Field Research Team.

The Institute of the Environment at UCD seeks a qualified Assistant Project Scientist (APS) to serve as the project's Field Research Team manager. Duties will include coordinating the external field research partners, producers, testing technology manufacturers, certifiers, and auditors. This coordinated network will be used to both define successful regenerative practices and to quantify greenhouse gas sequestration. The APS will also coordinate the assessment of auditing tools and organizations and participate in an RFP process to bring appropriate auditors into the project. Finally, the APS will interface with the IT development partners to create data schemas for storing, querying, visualizing, reporting on, and otherwise interacting with the generated research data, to co-create an informatics platform that will capture relevant field data and make it accessible to stakeholders. This will include ontologies and knowledge graphs used to catalog certification programs and auditing processes. The APS will work closely with a Graduate Student Researcher to accomplish these goals.

Minimum requirements for this position include a Ph.D. in environmental sciences, animal sciences, or a related field, with a research background in grazing systems and related greenhouse gas impacts. Candidates should have experience in field measurements of soil, carbon, and other environmental systems. Knowledge of information systems, including conceptual modeling, ontologies, and/or knowledge graphs, would be useful but is not required.

The position is half-time and will last two years, with a potential extension of up to three additional years. It will be based in Davis, California. There will be some travel associated with this position.

The Project Scientist makes significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in his/her academic discipline. The appointee possesses the subject matter expertise and the creative energy necessary to function at a high level of competence. The appointee will participate in activities to increase,
improve, or upgrade competency. Appointees with Project (e.g., Scientist) titles may engage in University and public service. They do not have teaching responsibilities. Although the Project Scientist is expected to
work independently under the general guidance of an academic member with an independent research program (i.e., Professor, Professional Researcher, Specialist in Cooperative Extension, etc.), he/she is not required to develop an independent research program or reputation. He/she will carry out research or
creative programs with supervision by an individual in an academic title that carries with it automatic Principal Investigator status. The Project Scientist does not usually serve as a Principal Investigator but
may do so by exception.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

I. RESEARCH (85%)

Research activity (75%)

This position requires creative contributions to and collaborative development of an
active research program investigating topics relevant to the research area of conservation ecology and informatics. The candidate will help to determine research goals in consultation with the Principal Investigator. He/she will design specific projects, including the selection of appropriate methods and techniques. In some cases, the candidate may supervise students or staff regarding the technical aspects of the research, including methods development, trouble-shooting problems, interpreting results and planning follow-up experiments.

Publication (10%)

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

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (10%)
The candidate will participate in professional societies and conferences appropriate to his/her specific field and will serve as a reviewer of research proposals and scientific publications as appropriate. The candidate will attend seminars to present research results and may give oral presentations to public and professional interest groups.

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

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5%)
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 and committee service. Teaching classroom courses is not an expectation of this position.

TERM OF APPOINTMENT:
Commensurate on experience level, with a minimum of $71,500. Benefits included. The position is 50% time with the possibility of increasing dependent upon workload and funding, the position will be two years, with a potential extension of up to three additional years. It will be based in Davis, California. There will be some travel associated with this position.

How to Apply:
Create an Application ID
Provide required information and upload documents
If any, provide required reference information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

• Curriculum Vitae - Current/updated C.v.
  
• Cover Letter
  
• Statement of Research (Optional)
  
• Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Diversity contributions documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit for guidelines about writing a diversity statement and why one is requested.
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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.

  Connections working at University of California Davis

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