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Postdoctoral Scholar in Agricultural Sustainability in California
Position overview
Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar in Agricultural Sustainability in CaliforniaApplication Window
Open date: November 4, 2025
Next review date: Thursday, Dec 4, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Wednesday, Nov 4, 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
Dr. Crystele Leauthaud in the Environmental Studies Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for the position of Postdoctoral Scholar in Agricultural Sustainability in California.
In the Environmental Studies Department at UC Santa Cruz, we see environmental problems as human problems, with societal causes, impacts, and solutions. We use methods spanning the natural and social sciences to deliver collaborative, solutions-focused insights on food systems, conservation, sustainability, climate change issues, and environmental justice.
This position will focus on studying agricultural sustainability in California. California’s agriculture is at the forefront of agricultural productivism. At the same time, it is incredibly diverse, both in cropping systems and farm types. As it faces unprecedented challenges in the form of pressures on its profitability and productivity related to natural resources depletion and climate change, regulations, labor, urbanization and many other factors, different solutions are emerging such as organic agriculture and regenerative agriculture and agroecology, which are different facets of agricultural sustainability.
Substantial research exists on sustainable practices on local scales, yet we are far from having a larger, state-wide knowledge of agroecological farming systems. There is little knowledge of where, why, and how sustainable agriculture is occurring in California. Current research mostly focuses on specific practices (e.g, no-till, cover crops, diversification, etc.) using limited datasets acquired through on-farm interviews or surveys. However these small samples do not provide a spatialized understanding of current dynamics. A larger scale of analysis would be relevant to inform policy makers, but also to evaluate impacts at a larger scale and imagine transformation pathways. Remote sensing and spatial data analysis present a potential path forward for scaling-up our understanding of agroecological systems at the state wide level.
The overarching goal of this postdoctoral scholar is to characterize the existing different forms of sustainable agriculture in California, with a focus on spatializing this information at higher scales (bioregions, and the state of California). This project lies at the interface between agricultural sciences and the analysis of spatial datasets, including data acquired through remote-sensing.
The position will require the incumbent to consistently demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills (reading, writing, and speaking) in English and to successfully and independently complete the following activities:
- Search and compile existing spatial datasets (fields, farm limits, land cover, irrigated fields, etc.), including Ag census data
- Acquire new spatial datasets through remote-sensing
- Elaborate a methodology that combines multiple indices to characterize different forms of sustainable agricultures, in particular agroecological and regenerative agricultures
- Lead expert panels
- Lead or co-author peer reviewed publications
- Potentially conduct expert interviews
The successful candidate will integrate a broad team of interdisciplinary scientists from UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley and UC Davis. They will have the opportunity to visit and network with faculty, staff, and students from the five UC Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) campuses — Berkeley, Davis, Merced, Riverside, and Santa Cruz — and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR).
Applicants with any of the following areas of expertise or experience are strongly encouraged to apply::
- Experience carrying out semi-structured interviews with farmers and expert panels;
- Solid command of multiple programming languages;
- Experience with Ag Census database inquiries; and/or
- Broad knowledge of Machine-Learning/ Statistical /Probabilistic models and algorithms.
The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.
Environmental Studies Department: https://envs.ucsc.edu
Qualifications
- Ph. D. degree (or equivalent foreign degree) in a relevant field, such as Remote Sensing, Geographic Information Systems, Agroecology, etc.
- Knowledge of agricultural systems in California.
- Knowledge of, and experience with, remote sensing and spatial data analysis.
- Experience with spatial data sets relevant for agriculture.
- Experience with ArcGIS, ENVI, or similar GIS/Remote Sensing software.
- Computer programming skills.
- Experience with independently writing peer-reviewed (co-author or sole author) scientific papers with minimal guidance, editing, or input.
Your application must demonstrate (e.g., in your C.V., cover letter, or Statement of Research) that you meet all of the basic qualifications when you submit your application. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., which must include a list of publications and presentations.
Cover Letter - Briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position. If applicable, the cover letter can also include discussion of any aspects of research and service experience that has furthered inclusive excellence.
Statement of Research - A brief statement of previous work (1 to 3 pages) and future goals and suitability for this project (1 to 3 pages). Your document should be between 2 and 6 pages total.
Explain why you are well qualified for this position.
Highlight which spatial data sets you are familiar with.
Highlight any experience you might have with remote sensing of tillage, cover crops, hedgerows, crop mapping, grazing, or any such related experience.
- 2-4 letters of reference required
Applications must include confidential letters of recommendation*. Note that your references, or dossier service, will submit their confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.
*All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC’s confidentiality statement at https://academicpersonnel.ucsc.edu/confidentiality-statements/.
Help contact: cleautha@ucsc.edu
About UC Santa Cruz
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
- “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 or discrimination as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.
It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.
If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at jobaccommodations@ucsc.edu or (831) 459-4602.
Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), UCSC publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.
Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. The university sponsors employment-based visas for nonresidents who are offered academic appointments at UC Santa Cruz, as outlined in campus policy CAPM 102.530.
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The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
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