Academic Coordinator II, Director of the Stable Isotope Facility

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Job #JPF06834

PLANT SCIENCES / COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES / UC Davis

Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $81,633-$159,014. “Off-scale salaries”, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience.

Application Window

Open date: June 1, 2025

Next review date: Monday, Jun 16, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, May 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

The Director of the Stable Isotope Facility (SIF) oversees operations of a high-throughput, fee-for-service, core research facility at UC Davis, with over 150,000 samples analyzed each year across 18 isotope-ratio mass spectrometers. The Director supervises the overall throughput of analyses with the goal of minimizing processing time while maintaining high quality results and is ultimately responsible for the excellence of service provided by the SIF. The Director seeks continual improvement in the quantity and quality of data produced by SIF through refinement of methods, optimization of standardization, and tracking of long-term performance. The Director supervises SIF staff to maintain efficiency, effectiveness, and quality in all laboratory tasks, as well as distributes tasks to maintain reasonable workloads. The Director provides mentorship to SIF staff, develops strategies for their professional development, and maintains a respectful, inclusive, and engaging work environment. The Director manages the budget and financial resources of the SIF and plans, prioritizes, and coordinates expenditures including instrument purchases, research initiatives, hiring staff, and funding outreach programs. The Director leads the maintenance and repair of isotope-ratio mass spectrometers (IRMS) and ancillary sample preparation units. The Director offers vision and guidance for method development and instrument procurement to maintain the SIF as a state-of-the-art facility and strives to increase the breadth of services without sacrificing quality of existing services. The Director collaborates with UC Davis and international researchers on projects using stable isotopes including providing technical information in support of proposal development; providing technical expertise to researchers on the design of stable isotope experiments, sample preparation, and data interpretation. The Director participates with PIs in disseminating research findings related to stable isotopes. The Director also oversees the outreach functions of the SIF, including the Graduate Fellowship Program, and extends outreach functions as appropriate, such as symposiums for facility customers and members of the stable isotope community.

NATURE AND PURPOSE

Academic Coordinators are appointees who administer academic programs that provide service closely related to the teaching or research mission of the University. This service may be provided to academic departments, to organized research units, to students, or to the general public. Determination of the appropriate level for an appointment for an Academic Coordinator shall take into consideration such factors as program scope and complexity. The duties of an Academic Coordinator are primarily administrative. Individuals in an Academic Coordinator title who are assigned research or instructional duties are required to hold a dual title.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESIGNATED AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

COORDINATION OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMS (80% EFFORT)

The Director provides academic and administrative leadership of the Stable Isotope Facility (SIF) research, services, and personnel. Working in collaboration with the Department Chair of Plant Sciences, the SIF Advisory Committee, and the SIF staff, the Director sets goals and priorities for research efforts, budgetary resources, staffing, facilities, and equipment and develops strategies for achieving these goals. The Director is the facility's liaison to the College and represents the facility within and beyond UC Davis.

Due to the breadth and quality of its analytical services, the SIF supports a national and international customer base. The Director supervises the overall throughput of samples with the goals of minimize processing time while maintaining high quality results. The Director, in coordination with SIF staff, strives to improve the quality of the data produced by SIF continually through refinement of methods, optimization of standardization, and tracking of long-term performance. The Director, in coordination with SIF staff, maintains the Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometers (IRMS) and ancillary sample preparation units in optimal condition, including repairs and scheduled maintenance, while minimizing downtime.

With over 150,000 samples analyzed each year utilizing 18 isotope ratio mass spectrometers, the SIF currently employs a Specialist, Research and Development Engineer II, five Staff Research Associate IIs, and an Assistant III. The Director supervises the facility's employees to maintain efficiency, effectiveness, and quality in all laboratory tasks, as well as distribution of tasks to maintain reasonable workloads. The Director mentors the facility's staff and develops strategies for their professional development, as well conducting performance evaluations, corrective action, and hiring. The Director oversees the training of employees and visiting workers. The Director maintains a respectful and engaging work environment.

The Director manages the budget and financial resources of the facility. The facility annual revenues routinely exceed $1.1M. The Director plans, prioritizes and coordinates expenditures including instrument purchases, research initiatives, hiring staff, and funding outreach programs. The Director oversees the rates of analytical services and initiates the rate approval process. The Director supervises the management, maintenance, and efficient utilization of the facility's resources.

The Director provides vision and guidance for method development and instrument procurement to maintain the SIF as a state-of-the-art laboratory and strives to increase the breadth of services without sacrificing quality of existing services. The Director balances the allocation of instruments between providing analytical services and method development.

The Director collaborates with UC Davis and international researchers on projects using stable isotopes, including providing technical information to UC Davis PIs in support of proposal development; providing technical expertise to researchers on the design of stable isotope experiments, sample preparation, and data interpretation; and participating with PIs in the dissemination of research findings related to stable isotopes. The Director oversees the current outreach functions of the SIF, including the selection of the SIF Graduate Research Fellowships, and extends outreach functions as appropriate, such as symposiums for facility customers and members of the isotope community.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (15% EFFORT)

The Director will provide professional consultation to potential users, review applicable current research on analytical methods, and develop collaborative research methods in the area(s) of analytical method development and the application of stable isotope methodology to agricultural, biological, archeological, earth, and environmental sciences. The Director will represent the facility at professional meetings, seminars, and other research venues and, as appropriate, share facility research activities.

UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (5% EFFORT)

The Director will act as liaison and respond to needs of industry organizations, state and federal agencies, or other external groups on issues related to stable isotope chemistry. In addition, the Director may participate in activities of committees within the department, college, campus, and other University entities, as appropriate.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

a) Terminal degree in Natural Sciences (Ph.D.) or related field at time of appointment

b) Broad expertise in stable isotope techniques and applications, spanning solid, gas, and compound-specific stable isotope analysis

c) At least two years of experience in laboratory management

d) Familiarity with quality control and assessment of stable isotope ratio measurements

e) Strong technical expertise in isotope-ratio mass spectrometry and associated instrumentation

Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

f) Experience and capability to manage fiscal resources of a core research facility

g) Record of scientific collaborative scientific products

h) Ability to think critically and operate independently of outside technical resources

i) Evidence of skills to provide technical leadership to staff and maintain continuity of facility operations

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter
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