Postdoctoral Scholar in Sustainable Citrus Production and Controlled Environment Agriculture

University of California Riverside

Job Title: Postdoctoral Scholar in Sustainable Citrus Production and Controlled Environment Agriculture

Location: University of California, Riverside (UCR)

Department: Microbiology and Plant Pathology / Chemical and Environmental Engineering

Project Title: Sustainable Citrus: Unlocking the Potential of Controlled Environment Agriculture for Commercial Nursery Growers

Position Summary: The University of California, Riverside, seeks a highly motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Scholar to join a multidisciplinary team working on a California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)-funded project. This position focuses on optimizing Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) technologies for citrus nursery production. The successful candidate will work extensively with Modular Plant Growth Units (MPGU)-shipping container-based systems used for vertical farming-to conduct experiments that optimize seedling growth under various light conditions, measure plant physiological responses, and support collaboration and outreach efforts with stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Oversight:
  
  • Provide overarching project oversight, ensuring the fulfillment of research objectives in coordination with Principal Investigators (PIs) Professor Georgios Vidalakis and co-applicants Professor Robert Jirkenson, Dr. Deborah Pagliaccia, and Dr. Sohrab Bodaghi from the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology and the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering.
    
  • Support laboratory objectives related to RNA extractions, viral titer measurements, and RNA gene expression analysis.
  
  
• Modular Plant Growth Unit (MPGU) and Greenhouse Experiments:
  
  • Lead experimental trials within the MPGU (a vertical farming system housed in shipping containers) and greenhouse environments focused on citrus seedling growth, disease Variety Indexing-VI, and commercial citrus variety trials.
    
  • Use the LICOR 6800 Photosynthesis Equipment to conduct critical photosynthetic efficiency measurements, including light saturation curves, carbon fixation, and gas exchange analyses under different LED light treatments and greenhouse light conditions.
    
  • Employ techniques such as chlorophyll fluorescence measurements, stomatal conductance assessments, and data collection using specialized equipment like the Lighted Large Leaf/Conifer Chamber and LI-600 Porometer/Fluorometer.
  
  
• Data Analysis and Synthesis:
  
  • Analyze experimental data, particularly from the LICOR 6800 and LI-600 systems, and synthesize findings to advance the development of CEA technologies.
    
  • Provide critical insights and recommendations that align with the project's energy optimization and cost-efficiency goals.
  
  
• Collaboration, education and Outreach:
  
  • Coordinate and facilitate meetings, workshops, and training sessions with UC ANR farm advisors to ensure effective dissemination of emerging knowledge related to CEA and MPGU technologies.
    
  • Coordinate UCR undergraduate students working on the project.
    
  • Finalize the educational handbook on the MPGU to help the growers to adopt the technology and related practices.
    
  • Establish and maintain strong collaborations with stakeholders, including nursery growers and industry partners.
  
  
• Publication and Dissemination:
  
  • Author and Co-author 2-4 peer-reviewed scientific papers and two extension articles focused on advancements in CEA and MPGU technologies.
    
  • Present research findings at academic conferences and industry meetings to ensure broad dissemination of the project's results.

Required Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Plant Sciences, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.
  
• Hands-on experience with LICOR 6800 Photosynthesis Equipment and gas exchange measurements is required, specifically in determining light saturation points and conducting carbon fixation and chlorophyll fluorescence analyses.
  
• Experience with controlled environment agriculture, greenhouse experiments, or photosynthesis research.
  
• Strong skills in molecular biology techniques, including RNA extractions, gene expression analysis, and RNA-seq library construction.
  
• Proven track record of publishing peer-reviewed research, including studies utilizing LICOR 6800 Photosynthesis Equipment.
  
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders and present complex research findings to diverse audiences.
  
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the citrus industry or related agricultural sectors.
  
• Familiarity with energy optimization in controlled environments and cost-efficiency analyses.
  
• Experience with data analysis in Python
  
• Previous experience in outreach and education efforts within academic environments and industry stakeholders.

Appointment Duration: This is a full-time, 2-year postdoctoral position, with the possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funding.

How to Apply: Interested applicants should submit the following to the project Co-PI Deborah Pagliaccia at deborahp@ucr.edu:

• A cover letter describing relevant experience and research interests.
  
• A current curriculum vitae (CV).
  
• Contact information for three professional references.
  
• Representative publications or manuscripts (optional).

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The full annual salary for the Postdoctoral Scholar is around $66.000. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs.

Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employerwith a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law
.
The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HRSU). Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification.\

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

To apply, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/4ut359f7







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