"Quillaja Plant Coordinator (9612C) - Alt Meat Lab"

About Berkeley

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Departmental Overview

The Pantas and Ting Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (SCET) is the premiere institution at UC Berkeley for the study and practice of entrepreneurship and technology innovation. SCET is globally recognized for developing the Berkeley Method, an internationally recognized approach to teaching technology entrepreneurship to undergraduate students, innovation to graduate students, and technology firm leadership to professionals and executives. If you are interested in new ventures or innovation on the Berkeley campus or beyond, SCET is the place to be.

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).

Application Review Date

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

Responsibilities

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.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

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

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 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.