Education J-1 Sponsorship Jobs in California

INTRODUCTION

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.

We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.

DEPARTMENTAL OVERVIEW

The Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management is a multidisciplinary program that recognizes the urgency of the challenges, and the enormous opportunities that may lead to transformative change. We have award-winning faculty in climate science, biodiversity, environmental policy, land use, and community outreach - all driven by a collective interest in our environmental future. We strive to serve as the campus portal to environmental research and issues. Berkeley is founded on the principle of knowledge for the public good. Our department builds on this promise. We offer a portfolio of exciting undergraduate majors that offer diverse career options to students interested in biology, environmental science, environmental policy, and preparation for the health professions. Our highly ranked graduate program consistently serves as a gateway to exciting careers in research, teaching, and public outreach.

Position Summary

The Staff Research Associate 1 conducts research on the colonization of grapevines by a vector-borne plant pathogen. This position supports all aspects of a research project aimed at initiating and gathering data on a grapevine disease management strategy in California. Responsibilities include sample collection in field plots, maintenance of plants in a greenhouse facility, and molecular-based detection of pathogens in the laboratory.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The First Review Date for this job is August 5, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

• PCR-based pathogen detection in the laboratory - 30%

PCR-based pathogen detection in the laboratory. Total plant DNA extraction following standard protocols, followed by PCR-based DNA amplification using quantitative PCR as a detection tool. Data evaluation, entry and organization are included in this responsibility.

• Maintenance of plants in a greenhouse facility - 20%

Potting and pruning of plants, growing plant species for experimental manipulations; monitoring for plant health.

• Support to general research activities in the laboratory - 25%

Assisting with lab cleaning and organizing, assisting in other projects focused on pathogen detection, support with data organization and sample processing as necessary.

• Experimental manipulations with plants and pathogens - 20%

Establishing infections and monitoring plants at different time points and conditions using appropriate tools, keeping record plant disease symptoms.

• Sample collection from field sites - 5%

The field sites are at isolated locations. Infected plant tissue will be collected from plots in California, total DNA will be extracted from these plants and pathogen genotyped using standard molecular protocols already established.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience processing and preparing grapevine samples from vineyards and greenhouse for pathogen detection. It includes DNA extraction, qPCR, and genotyping. Prior experience with grapevine diseases is highly desirable.

• Experience maintaining grapevines in a greenhouse facility.

• Experience organizing experimental data.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience infecting plants for experimental purposes on disease development.

• Ability to reliably travel to and from the primary work location and other designated sites as required to fulfill job responsibilities.

EDUCATION / TRAINING

BA or BS in Disease Ecology or Plant Pathology, or a related field, and/or equivalent experience/training. (Preferred)

LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS

Driver's License. (Required)

SALARY & BENEFITS

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $30.12 (Step 1) - $30.83 (Step 2).

This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.

This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.