Quillaja Plant Coordinator (9612C) - Alt Meat Lab

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The Pantas and Ting Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (SCET) Alt Meat Lab at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) is seeking applications for a Quillaja Plant Coordinator to manage indoor plant cultivation at the Oxford Tract and establishment of plants in other fields (Gillman Tract, UC Davis, vertical farming unit).

The First Review Date for this job is: November 10, 2025 - Open Until Filled

25%

• Indoor plant cultivation at Oxford Tract: Keeping the inventory of about 6500 plants already planted from seeds.
  • 240 plants > 2 y old
  • 550 plants > 1 y old
  • 5500 plants > 5 months (being repotted to 1 gallon)
• Diagnoses pests and best treatment methods and assess inadequate plant growth and coming up with solutions.
• Organizing repotting and pruning activities for all plants. Hands-on pruning if needed.
• Supervision of sampling for biomass and saponin content. Hands-on sampling if needed.
• Facilitating experiments form UC teams to gather data on plant growth.

25% Establishment of plants in the field

• Gillman Tract
  • 500 plants from Oxford tract will be planted April/May 2023 in Gillman Tract- (Oxford Tract personnel will execute this). Candidate will organize and make the inventory of plants. Candidate will decide level of pruning and statistical sampling for saponin content.
• UC Davis
  • 1000-1500 plants planted outdoor in UC Davis- Candidate needs to coordinate this, including plot selection, costs, inventory, level of pruning and statistical sampling for saponin content.
    Diagnoses pests and best treatment methods and assess inadequate plant growth and coming up with solutions.

25%

• Establishment of 40 ft vertical farming unit.
• Establishment of hydroponic system in 40 ft container.
• Understanding and supervision of unit operation.
• Supervision of student assistants.

25% Work with student support team

• Sample and determine saponin content of plants with RP- HPLC.
• Conduct statistical analysis of saponin content.
• Coordinate 4-5 students at Oxford Tract for repotting.
• Coordinate Oxford tract personnel to prune.
• Oversee watering, nutrients and pesticide applications for indoor and outdoor plants.
• Coordinate students to do modeling of vertical farming.

• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent related work experience.
• Expertise (coursework and/or work experience) with research and horticulture,
• Greenhouse production management (all facets).
• Hands-on experience with in-door Controlled Environment Agriculture; expertise with indoor plant production under LED lamps.
• Propagation of woody plants (clonal and from seed).
• Soilless culture; irrigation systems design and set-up; recirculation of nutrient solutions.
• Knowledge about fertilization and plant nutrient management - specifically to make calculations for optimized fertigation strategies.
• Integrated pest management: ability to diagnose pests and diseases.
• Experience with horticultural research to identify methods for fastest accumulation of biomass.

• Master's degree and/or equivalent related work experience.

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 salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $63,257.82 to $101,760.49 yearly ($5,271.49 to $8,480.04 monthly). This is a 100% FTE career position eligible for full benefits. This position is FLSA Exempt.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct 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. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

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.