This position reports to the director of Foundation Plant Services (FPS). Responsibilities include direct supervision and training of laboratory staff; lead staff meetings; provide staff with equipment and training as needed; plan and conduct research to improve therapy and tissue culture methods; plan and schedule laboratory activities to ensure completion of therapy to facilitate release of plant material; work closely with director of production and quality assurance to meet goals for micropropagation deliverables; establish both short-term and long-range project goals and planning for their implementation.

Apply By Date October 6, 2026 at 11:59pm, PST

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
• Master's degree or equivalent training and experience in Plant Biology, Plant Physiology, Horticulture, Plant Biotechnology, Plant Pathology, or a closely related field.
• 3 years laboratory experience in plant tissue culture techniques-including microshoot tip excision for pathogen elimination, sterile technique, media formulation, and micropropagation.
• Experience conducting applied research to design, optimize, or troubleshoot in vitro propagation and therapeutic protocols, as well as developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for new or challenging plant materials.
• Management experience in a research or high-throughput production laboratory, including directly supervising personnel, setting operational schedules, allocating resources to fulfill work orders, and evaluating staff performance.
• Working knowledge of plant biology, plant physiology, and scientific methods, with the ability to interpret data, design experiments, and evaluate tissue culture and micropropagation success.
• Demonstrated skills in performing and applying tissue culture technologies, maintaining sterile conditions, following and adapting laboratory protocols, tracking data/inventory using computer software, and complying with lab safety and hazardous material standards.
• Leadership and communication skills to organize daily lab work, assign tasks, prioritize schedules to meet production goals, and effectively supervise and lead laboratory staff and students.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Plant Biology, Plant Physiology, Horticulture, Plant Biotechnology, or related area; and specialized research experience in plant tissue culture, somatic embryogenesis, and/or invitro virus elimination/therapy.
• Experience developing, optimizing, and scaling tissue culture protocols in clonal crops, with preferred expertise in shoot-tip/meristem culture, micropropagation, and somatic embryogenesis.
• Experience managing a high-throughput, commercial-scale micropropagation facility or a clean stock lab, including experience with in vitro pathogen elimination and virus therapy programs.
• Demonstrated track record of leading applied research projects, adapting novel protocols for complex plant species, publishing findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and preparing research proposals or technical reports.
• Advanced knowledge of plant physiology, plant biotechnology, and scientific methodology, with proven skills in statistical data analysis, experimental design, and evaluating tissue culture efficiency, somatic embryogenesis, and propagation success.
• Solid skills in establishing, troubleshooting, and executing complex tissue culture and micropropagation workflows under strict sterile and safety guidelines, alongside strong capabilities in drafting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), managing lab equipment/facilities, and utilizing database software to track high-throughput inventory and work orders.
• Strong interpersonal and supervisory communication skills to direct all levels of laboratory staff, prioritize concurrent operational demands, organize daily lab activities, and present clear scientific and production reports to management, staff, and collaborators.

Key Responsibilities

• 40% - Laboratory Program Management
• 35% - Research and Protocol Development
• 25% - Administrative Management and Supervision

Department Overview

Foundation Plant Services (FPS), is a self-supporting center in CAES whose primary function is to produce, maintain, and distribute virus-tested plant materials of deciduous fruit and nut trees, grapevines, strawberries, sweet potatoes and roses for research and public commercial use.

This position directs the overall operation of the FPS Tissue Culture Lab and Micropropagation Unit, which conducts virus elimination therapy and micropropagation. Additional responsibilities include research to improve virus elimination methods and to develop new protocols for additional crops. Research activities include preparing reports, manuscripts, and presentations as needed.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $79 , 400 /annually - $144 , 00 0/annually
• Salary Frequency: Annually
• UC Job Title: LAB RSCH SUPV 2
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100 % - Fixed
• Shift (Work Schedule): Mon day -Fri day, 8:0 0 a m -5:00 PM
• Location: Davis, CA.
• Union Representation: 99 - Non-Represented (PPSM)
• 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.

Occasionally work flexible hours, especially working after normal working hours to finish the assigned task. Able to travel out of town occasionally, as needed for training and project activities. Must follow all established laboratory safety procedures.

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

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment

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.

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

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