Staff Research Associate 2 or 3 Davis, CA, Job ID 79253 - University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources : Job Details

Staff Research Associate 2 or 3 Davis, CA, Job ID 79253

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Job Description

Lower level will be considered: This position is posted as a SRA 3 but a SRA 2 may be considered depending on the level of experience of the hired applicant.

This position will support UCANR's role in the BioCircular Valley (BioCirV) project, one of five regional circular bioeconomy projects under the Virtual Institute on Feedstocks of the Future (VIFF). Funded by Schmidt Sciences, BioCirV will develop a knowledge portal to support the emergence of a circular bioeconomy in the three counties of the North San Joaquin Valley (Merced, San Joaquin and Stanislaus) by identifying agricultural by-products and other biowastes that can be converted to high-value feedstocks for other processes. BioCirV is led by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, with support from UCANR / UC Davis, UC Merced, USDA and BEAM Circular, a Modesto-based nonprofit. It is a five-year project running to the end of Q1 2029.

In this role, the incumbent will support activities primarily under Aim 1 of the project-feedstock characterization-also providing cross-functional support to other project areas as needed: feedstock conversion (Aim 2), bioeconomy cartography (Aim 3) and regional ecosystem development.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

Pay Scale:

SRA 2: $28.88/hour to $36.62/hour

SRA 3: $66,437.42/year to $84,291.03/year

Job Posting Close Date:

This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be July 18, 2025.

Key Responsibilities:

25%

Research and field support:

In accordance with the BioCirV sampling plan, coordinate with and assist Aim 1 teams in scheduling visits to provider sites for measuring and sampling biomaterials. Accompany other Aim 1 staff to provider sites to facilitate measurement and sampling, or measure and collect samples directly. Gather metadata and other supporting information for the project's feedstock library via questionnaires and interviews with material providers. Prepare samples for laboratory analysis, such as through milling. In conjunction with staff at participating institutions, as needed, perform, facilitate and coordinate laboratory analyses. Report back to Aim 1 planning on any process improvements.

25%

Equipment operation and maintenance:

Transport samples to Cooperative Extension sites for storage, or to LBNL or UC campuses for analysis. Under supervision from LBNL staff, become proficient in the use, handling and storage of onsite biomass measurement devices. Maintain a repository of biomass collection equipment, such as lidded buckets or tubs, scoops, shovels, corers and other collection tools.

25%

Communication:

Help to coordinate project-wide activities, including drafting agenda and scheduling meetings and other events. Support the maintenance of project records across multiple platforms and applications. As applicable, identify potential improvements to project management and coordination, and assist with their implementation. Engage, as needed, in outward-facing communications with NSJV communities and stakeholders. Support other project activities as needs arise.

15%

Writing:

Assist in updating project plans and drafting reports and presentations. Maintain meeting notes and other project documentation as needed.

10%

Data input and analysis:

Enter biomass sample data into feedstock data library. Support analytical teams with data organization and analysis as needed.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in food and agriculture, bioprocessing, chemical engineering, life-cycle or other techno-economic analysis, business administration, operations or logistics, and/or related experience.
• Three to five years' experience demonstrating competence working within diverse, distributed teams to accomplish goals.
• Strong communications skills: verbal, written, presentation and interpersonal.
• Diplomatic and sensitive client- and community-facing communication skills.
• Excellent organization, administrative and time management skills. Ability to work both independently and cooperatively with other team members.
• Proficiency in Microsoft and Google suites, as well as with other common productivity applications.

Preferred Skills:

• Master's degree.
• Experience working on scientific projects, whether in a research or administrative capacity, preferably across institutions or disciplines.
• Experience working with, or within, university administrations, government agencies, nonprofits or industry associations.
• Laboratory experience.
• Foundational knowledge of systematic data design, data structures, and data management best practices.
• Experience in community engagement and with community groups.
• Legislative or regulatory experience.
• Hands-on farming experience, whether in growing, processing or distribution.
• Waste management experience.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
• The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
• As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.
• 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. 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 reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
• As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.
• 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. 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 reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

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