Climate & Agriculture Project Scientist

The Project Scientist will work closely with project investigators  at UC Merced, USDA California Climate Hub, USDA Agricultural Research Service, and partners at the UC Davis – John Muir Institute of the Environment and UC ANR IGIS team, to develop locally relevant, climate-based agriculture decision support systems and dissemination processes designed to give specialty crops a competitive edge in increasing productivity and reducing risks associated with climate variability and change. The Project Scientist will develop an ensemble of decision support tools and resources similar to the Northwest Climate Tool box or AgroClimate.org team in collaboration with Informatics and GIS (IGIS) team to help growers make strategic decisions including but not limited to yield tradeoff decisions, pests and disease management decisions, irrigation decisions, and heat and frost risk mitigation. 

Additionally, the Project Scientist is expected to assist project investigators in developing proposals for funding from federal, state agencies, and other funding organizations such as commodity boards. The UCANR project scientist will be located at and affiliated with the UC Merced, with substantial multi- UC campus multi-institutional collaborations.

This is appointment is not eligible for indefinite status. The Project Scientist will be appointed to a term ending November 30, 2021. Continuation beyond the initial two-year term is contingent upon a review of continuing need and the availability of funding.

ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS:  All UC ANR Project (e.g. Scientist) series titles are expected to make significant and creative contributions to a research or creative program or project in their academic discipline. Appointees are also responsible for performance in areas of professional competence and activity. University and public service is encouraged.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Required Qualifications:

Programmatic competence

•     An earned Ph.D. in agricultural engineering, climate science, agronomy, biometeorology,     computational science or closely related field is required at the time of appointment. 

•     Experience and knowledge in computer programming skills ideally for decision support tool

       development in applied climate science and agricultural science applications, and skills to

       integrate a variety of climate, ecosystem, and plant models.

• Strong statistical and quantitative skills.

• Ability to work productively both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team

       balancing divergent objectives involving research and code development.

•     Experience publishing peer-reviewed research in high impact journals. 

Communication

•    Skills to communicate and extend technical information to diverse audiences are required. 

Collaboration, Teamwork & Flexibility

•    Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with other professionals

Desired Qualifications:

•   Candidates with previous experiences with web-based decision support tool development in applied climate science and sound understanding of California’s agricultural system will be preferred.