Staff Research Associate (SRA 3)

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.

Apply By Date

09/01/2026 by 11:59 pm

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Required to hold a valid California driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program
• 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 Qualifications

• Master's degree in related field.
• 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. Experience with community engagement and with community groups.
• Foundational knowledge of systematic data design, data structures, and data management best practices.
• Waste management, legislative and/or regulatory experience.
• Hands-on farming experience, whether in growing, processing or distribution.

Key Responsibilities

• 25% - Research and Field Support
• 25% - Equipment Operation and Maintenance
• 25% - Communication
• 15% - Writing
• 10% - Data Input and Analysis

Department Overview

Food Science and Technology is a large department within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Technology. The department consists of 40 faculty members, 20 staff, and 600 undergraduate and graduate students. The department has a total estimated annual operating budget for teaching, research, outreach and support of approximately $65MM, composed of state, federal, and extramural funds, endowments, gifts, and sales income.
The mission of the department is to generate knowledge about foods through research, and to apply and disseminate knowledge through teaching and outreach, with the goal of ensuring the availability of safe, nutritious, appealing food, with minimum environmental impact, for the benefit of all people.

Department Specific Job Scope

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.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $75,444.67 - $121,316.07
• Salary Frequency: Annual
• Salary Grade: 105
• UC Job Title: SRA 3
• UC Job Code: 009611
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100% Fixed
• Shift (Work Schedule): M-F 8am-5pm
• Location: Davis, Ca
• Union Representation: RX-Research Professionals
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is 100% on-site

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility by visiting UCnet Benefits Page or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees.

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Retirement plans for eligible employees including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity
• Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave, Adoption Assistance and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees
• Lactation Support Program and Family Care discounts and resources
• Employee Well-being resources and programming to support thriving in all aspects of employee's lives
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Generous amount of paid Holidays annually as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees

Physical Demands

• Standing - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Walking - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Sitting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Environmental Demands

• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Loud noise levels - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Microwave/Radiation - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Extreme Temperatures - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Communication skills - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Continuous 6 to 8+ Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Occasional Up to 3 Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

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.

Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position

• N/A

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 Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks #CA-CB