Postdoctoral Scholar in Wine Chemistry

Location: University of California, Davis, Department of Viticulture & Enology.

Appointment: Full-time; initial two-year term with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding.

The Department of Viticulture & Enology, University of California, Davis, invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar with an interest in wine chemistry to join our team. The successful candidate will work to advance research on the chemical consequences of extreme weather events in grape and wine systems. The successful candidate will focus on developing innovative analytical methodologies, particularly using high-resolution mass spectrometry, to characterize compositional changes in grape and wine matrices. The appointee will work in collaboration with departmental and external collaborators across the fields of enology and viticulture.

Key Responsibilities

* Perform targeted quantification of grape and wine metabolites using GC-MS and/or LC-MS.

* Perform non-targeted profiling of grape and wine metabolites using HRMS.

* Design and conduct greenhouse and field trials to evaluate grape varieties.

* Collect grape and/or wine samples and perform sample preparations (e.g., SPE, HS-SPME, etc.).

* Analyze and interpret experimental data. Detailed documentations of experiments, including SOPs.

* Contribute to progress reports to funding agencies, draft manuscript for peer review publications, and conference communications.

* Contribute to university and public service through meetings, presentations, outreach activities, and assist in mentoring students / interns.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Ph.D. in Wine Chemistry/Science, or a closely related field

* Demonstrated hands-on experience with mass spectrometry platforms for small molecule analysis.

o 2 years hands-on experience with GC-MS and/or LC-MS/MS or HRMS (Q-TOF/Orbitrap) for small molecule analysis.

o Processed 500 sample analyses, including method setup, calibration, and troubleshooting.

o Demonstrated routine performance at 10% RSD precision and 5 ppm mass accuracy for HRMS if applicable.

* Demonstrated experience in the development and validation of the GC or LC-MS methods, including QA / QC.

o Developed and fully validated 1 GC-MS and/or 1 LC-MS/MS method for flavor compounds or nonvolatile metabolites across 2 matrices (e.g., wine, must); non-targeted -omics methods count when QA/QC is documented.

o Demonstrated knowledge on method validation parameters. Shows working knowledge of validation parameters with typical acceptance criteria: Linearity: R 0.99 over the stated range; Accuracy/Recovery: 80-120% (90-110% preferred).

o Precision: 15% RSD ( 20% at LoQ) intra/inter-day; LoD/LoQ: Reported with approach; Matrix effects: < 20% signal suppression/enhancement (or corrected).

o Carryover: < 0.1% of high standard into blank.

o Implemented QC programs (e.g., blanks, spikes, pooled QCs).

* Evidence of effective scientific communication (peer-reviewed publications and/or conference presentations).

o 1 peer-reviewed publication (authorship anywhere; first/last preferred but not required).

o 2 scientific or outreach presentations with 1 oral and 1 poster (e.g., ASEV, IFT, ASMS, regional winemaker groups).

* Demonstrated ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.

o Contributed to 1 cross-functional project of 3-10 people (e.g., enology, viticulture, sensory) for 6 months, coordinating resources/timelines and delivering agreed milestones.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

* Demonstrated expertise in laboratory procedures for the chemical analysis of wine.

o 3 years routine work with wine/must matrices (can include PhD lab time).

o 2 analytical methods operated or developed (e.g., GC-MS, LC-MS/MS).

o 600-1,200 samples/year processed (or 50/month in peak periods).

o Precision 10% RSD (intra-day); spike recovery 85-115%.

o 90% QC batch pass rate over 6+ months.

o 2 SOPs authored/updated; trained 1 peer or student.

o Participated in routine PM; helped sustain 90-95% instrument uptime.

* Research experience in greenhouse, field environment, and/or winery contexts.

o Greenhouse: 1-2 controlled experiments with 3-4 reps/treatment; tracked chemical endpoints (e.g., phenolics, VSCs).

o Field: participation in 1 season at 1-2 sites; 3 blocks/treatment; collected 50 composite samples with metadata (GPS/phenology).

o Winery: 8-12 micro-ferments (0.5-20 L) and/or 1-2 pilot trials (100-1,000 L) testing process variables.

o Basic statistical analysis (ANOVA or mixed models).

* An established track record of publication in wine chemistry and/or chemical analysis.

o 2 peer-reviewed publications (at least 1 first-author or 1 first-author preprint/in-revision).

o 3 presentations total with 1 oral and 2 posters (departmental/ASEV/IFT/ASMS or industry outreach all count).

o 1 open method, dataset, or protocol shared (e.g., repository or supplementary SOP) - preferred, not required.

• 3-5 letters of reference required

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, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal 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.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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