Tissue Culture SRA 1 (SRA 1)

Under supervision, perform standard laboratory procedures for the excision, transfer and maintenance of meristem tip-cultures of grapevines, roses, strawberries, sweet potatoes, trees and any additional crop added to the program as deemed necessary. In instances where meristem excision protocol requires establishment of cuttings, collect, establish and transfer cuttings from trees and any additional crop as deemed necessary. Utilize standard media, reagents, and solutions.

Apply By Date

09/30/2026 by 11:59 pm

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Undergraduate coursework and/or equivalent experience in plant science, horticulture, or relevant field(s).
• Experience in producing inventory lists of transplanted plants and sterile culture propagation for use in updating computer databases.
• Experience labeling plant materials and recording inventories of performed work.
• Experience with tissue culture technology including microbiology and sterile technique.
• Knowledge of and skills to cut <0.5 mm meristem tips from crop plants with high rate of survival using dissecting microscope.
• Knowledge of and skills of sterile culture propagation techniques to establish seeds, cuttings, and meristems in sterile culture.
• Knowledge of and skills to transplant sterile culture-grown plants into non-sterile environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with grape, berry, and tree micro-shoot tip culture.
• Skill and ability to work independently with minimum supervision and as part of a team.
• Familiarity with UC laboratory safety requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• 80% - Perform Tissue Culture For FPS Crops
• 15% - Laboratory General Maintenance
• 5% - Participate In Efforts To Maintain An Efficient Smooth-Running Department

Department Overview

Foundation Plant Services (FPS, https://fps.ucdavis.edu/) is a large self-supporting service center in the Department of Plant Pathology of the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences whose primary function is to produce, maintain and distribute elite disease-tested plant propagation materials. Its core mission is to promote and improve the health of planting stock available for the commercial nursery industry for FPS crops. FPS operates the largest grape quarantine and clean stock program for grapevines in the United States. The center employs over 45 laboratory, greenhouse, research, field and administrative staff members housed in two facilities with associated laboratories, greenhouses, screenhouses, shade houses, field buildings, and approximately 140 acres of field plantings. Program expenses average approximately $7 million per year. The program is self-supporting with sources of income including Federal USDA-APHIS funding, State nursery assessment funds, grape user fees, sales of plant materials and contracts for importation, testing and virus therapy of FPS crops. Research is accomplished through extramurally funded projects related to the core FPS mission. FPS is dedicated to the distribution of disease-tested, professionally identified specialty crop plant materials produced by UC researchers, improved by technology developed by UC researchers, or valuable to California's agricultural community. These programs have played a key national and international role in distributing new crop varieties and healthy planting stocks. Currently, FPS is responsible for programs for grapes, strawberries, fruit trees, nut trees, roses, and sweet potatoes. Services are also offered in providing importation, quarantine and virus therapy as well as the laboratory diagnostic testing for plant pathogens and DNA varietal identification.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $30.12 - $35.93
• Salary Frequency: Hourly
• Salary Grade: 107
• UC Job Title: SRA 1
• UC Job Code: 009613
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100% Fixed
• Shift (Work Schedule): M-F, 8am-5pm
• Location: Davis, Ca
• Union Representation: RX-Research Professionals
• 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 or or .

• High quality and low-cost to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for and coverage for you and your family
• for eligible employees including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans
• Supplemental insurance offered including , , , , accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity
• , , and for eligible employees
• and Family Care discounts and resources
• to support thriving in all aspects of employee's lives
• On-site 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
• and 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.

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