Assistant Specialist, Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics University of California

• Davis United States, California, Davis Aug 04, 2026 Position overview Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $65,800
• $73,200 Application Window Open date: August 4, 2026 Next review date: Wednesday, Aug 19, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date:

Saturday, Oct 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time) Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled. Position description Nature & Purpose The position of Specialist has a narrow focus in a specialized area and provides technical or specialized expertise (e.g., with instrumentation and research equipment or with social science research methods) in the planning and execution of a research project. The Specialist stays apprised of emerging issues and problems and maintains technical competence in the designated area(s) of specialization. Within this defined area and when appropriate, the Specialist is expected to provide leadership, facilitate teamwork and develop collaborative relationships with colleagues and to supply input into the planning of research and educational programs. Normally, Specialists do not have Principal Investigator (PI) status but may obtain permission by exception and/or collaborate with a PI in preparing research proposals for extramural funding. The Specialist is evaluated for merit and promotion using three basic criteria outlined below.

Position Description:

We seek a highly skilled and motivated individual to join us as an Assistant Specialist. The position will entail close collaboration with and assistance of Professor Kristin Kiesel and Co-PI Adeline Yeh (USDA-ERS). This is a 12-month position working on two projects. For the first project, the specialist will be contributing to developing written reports that (1) Reviews the existing literature of the economics of invasive species in U.S. fruit and vegetable production and (2) Assesses the economic performance of pest and disease management strategies and grower risk mitigation behavior. For the second project, the specialist will be involved in (1) Conducting surveys and interviewing licensed Cottage Food Operators (CFOs) in California. (2) Completing a quantitative and qualitative analysis of collected data (3) Developing materials for education and training programs. The position involves responsibilities that serve as excellent preparation for Ph.D. programs, industry or government positions in applied economics, public policy, or related fields. These include literature reviews, data processing and analysis, survey design, preparing written reports and giving oral presentations.

Specific Responsibilities:

Research (85%): Project 1:

• Conducting a detailed literature review surveying studies that estimate or report: 1) direct yield and quality losses; 2) added management costs such as pesticides, labor, and sanitation; 3) effects on pollinators and natural enemies; 4) resistance development and broader industry-level impacts
• Developing economic metrics to estimate damages
• Contributing suggestions for future analyses of specific outbreaks Project 2:
• Creating a survey and interview guide to collect novel and comprehensive data on licensed Cottage Food Operators (CFOs) in California
• Conducting a quantitative and qualitative analysis of participatory constraints, revenue-generating potential, and changes in overall household welfare for CFOs under different regulatory settings currently in place.
• Guiding the development of education and training programs (Master Food Preserver program) and inform state
• and national-level policy design. University and Public Service (15%): Project 1:
• Work with ERS personnel in the planning and conducting of the research plan.
• Participate in meetings with ERS as needed.
• Assisting in preparing the ERS report submission and peer-reviewed journal articles. Project 2:
• Work with ANR collaborators and County Environmental Health departments in the planning and execution of data collection.
• Participate in meetings with ANR collaborators as needed.
• Assisting in preparing written documents and presentation materials.

Reporting:

Will work under the supervision of Kristin Kiesel (Professor, Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics).

Position Requirements:

This position requires possession of a Master's degree in in Economics or related field, or possession of a relevant baccalaureate degree plus three or more years of research experience.

Please note:

It is inappropriate to appoint an individual with a Ph.D. in a discipline relevant or related to the research as an Assistant Specialist.

Preferred Position Requirements:

• Ability to read and analyze published papers in economics, and accurately understand their main results
• Ability to independently investigate solutions to technical and administrative problems
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific findings into accessible, non-technical language (via publications or professional presentations)
• Ability to work well with multi-national teams, and communicate effectively with colleagues and faculty

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Application materials must be submitted via RECRUIT (JPF07767) Browse Open Recruitments or Log In

• AP Recruit).

The position will remain open until filled. To ensure consideration, applications should be submitted by the next review date listed above. Qualifications Basic qualifications (required at time of application) This position requires possession of a Master's degree in Economics or related field, at time of appointment, or possession of a relevant baccalaureate degree plus three or more years of research experience. Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

• Ability to read and analyze published papers in economics, and accurately understand their main results
• Ability to independently investigate solutions to technical and administrative problems
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific findings into accessible, non-technical language (via publications or professional presentations)
• Ability to work well with multi-national teams, and communicate effectively with colleagues and faculty Application Requirements Document requirements Cover Letter
• Please provide a cover letter that describes your related interests, experiences, and career goals. Curriculum Vitae
• Your most recently updated C.V. Authorization to Release Information Form
• This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments.

Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form. Reference requirements 2-5 required (contact information only) Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07767 Help contact: kralexandra@ucdavis.edu About UC Davis As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer. "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. UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties APM

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as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration. UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in our strategic plan: "To Boldly Go," our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs' Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400. UC Davis is also a national leader in inclusive practice. There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting UC Davis and UC Davis Health. The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come. The University of California and UC Davis are committed to offering a wide variety of benefits for employees. The University of California Employee benefits and UC Davis Employee benefits webpages have additional information. 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. Job location Davis, CA