ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Plant Science Research Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Tech Tammina LLC

Plant/Operations Director

Ontario, CA · On-site

... R&D, HR, and Finance to align plant operations with company objectives. Manage plant budgets and capital expenses effectively. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science ...

Huisong Pharmaceuticals

Sales Manager

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$50K - $120K/yr

... R&D and manufacturing of premium-quality natural ingredients for world-leading companies in the ... science & technology, plant science, nutrition science, or other related fields. Benefits:

Huisong Pharmaceuticals

Sales Manager

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$50K - $120K/yr

... R&D and manufacturing of premium-quality natural ingredients for world-leading companies in the ... science & technology, plant science, nutrition science, or other related fields. Benefits:

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPlant Science Research JobsPlant Science Research Jobs in Riverside, CA

Plant Science Research information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$59.5K

$84.8K

$111.1K

How much do plant science research jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for plant science research in Riverside, CA is $84,812.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,000.00 and $96,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Plant Science Research job?

A Plant Science Research job involves studying plants to improve agriculture, sustainability, and environmental conservation. Researchers may work on plant genetics, disease resistance, soil health, or crop improvements. They conduct experiments, analyze data, and collaborate with scientists to develop innovative solutions. Jobs can be found in universities, government agencies, and private industry.

What does a plant researcher do?

A plant researcher studies plant biology, genetics, and ecology to understand plant growth, development, and responses to environmental factors. They conduct experiments, analyze data, and may use tools like microscopes and laboratory equipment to develop new plant varieties or improve crop yields.

What is the highest paying job in plant science?

The highest paying jobs in plant science are often senior research scientists, plant biotechnologists, or plant geneticists, especially those working in industry or with advanced degrees and specialized skills. These roles typically require a Ph.D. and experience with molecular techniques, and they can offer salaries exceeding $100,000 annually.

What are the typical daily responsibilities in a Plant Science Research role?

In a Plant Science Research role, your daily activities may include designing experiments, collecting and analyzing plant samples, recording and interpreting data, and maintaining detailed laboratory notes. You may also be involved in fieldwork to assess plant growth and environmental interactions, managing greenhouse or laboratory equipment, and collaborating with other scientists on research projects. Regular communication with team members and presenting findings in meetings or reports are also integral parts of the job. This variety allows for both hands-on experimentation and thoughtful analysis, contributing to meaningful scientific advancements.

What jobs can you do with a plant science degree?

A plant science degree prepares individuals for careers such as plant biologist, agronomist, horticulturist, crop consultant, or research scientist. These roles often involve fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and knowledge of plant biology, genetics, and sustainable practices.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Plant Science Research position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Plant Science Research, you need a solid understanding of plant biology, genetics, and experimental design, often supported by a degree in plant sciences or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, statistical analysis software, and possibly fieldwork data collection tools is vital. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills set top candidates apart. These competencies are essential for designing and carrying out successful research, accurately interpreting results, and collaborating in multidisciplinary environments.

What can I do with a PhD in plant science?

A PhD in plant science prepares individuals for research, teaching, and development roles in academia, government agencies, and private industry. Graduates often work as plant biologists, crop scientists, or environmental consultants, utilizing skills in laboratory techniques, data analysis, and fieldwork. Advanced positions may require additional certifications or experience in project management and scientific communication.
What are popular job titles related to Plant Science Research jobs in Riverside, CA? For Plant Science Research jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Plant Science Research jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Plant Science Research jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Plant Science Research jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Plant Science Research job openings:
Plant Science Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Plant Science Research job openings in Riverside, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 2% As Needed, 65% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,812 per year, or $40.8 per hour.
Ungraduate Research Technician - Plant Science #705082052

Ungraduate Research Technician - Plant Science #705082052

CAL POLY POMONA FOUNDATION

Pomona, CA • On-site

$17/hr

Part-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Description
Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises Employment Services
ANNOUNCEMENT OF POSITION VACANCY
SUMMARY: Cal Poly Pomona Foundation is hiring Research Technician for a summer-only research position to assist with a mushroom and microgreen cultivation automation research project under the mentorship of Dr. Eshwar Ravishankar, Assistant Professor in Plant Science. The project focuses on building automated environmental control and data collection systems for an indoor container farm cultivating mushrooms and microgreens, and on supporting day-to-day cultivation operations across both production lines. The position pays $17 per hour and is open to applicants with backgrounds in plant science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or related fields who have a demonstrated interest in indoor agriculture.
ABOUT US: As the largest employer of students on the Cal Poly Pomona campus, the Enterprises offers valuable work experience and hands-on training to approximately 1,500 Cal Poly Pomona students each year. The Enterprises offers positions in various fields; whether it is in the area of technology, science, retail, culinary arts, hospitality1500 management, leadership or research grants, these student employees participate in Cal Poly Pomona's learn-by-doing philosophy and acquire practical skills in their designated field of study.
The Enterprises also contributes operating support to nearly 1,100 Enterprises and scholarship programs every year, including Bronco Athletics and the Pepsi Scholarship. In addition, the Enterprises administers grants and contracts, contributes to campus security, and supports several university publications. The Enterprises contributes over $1 million annually to Cal Poly Pomona.
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU WILL GET TO DO (this is just a small sampling of work variety):
  • Research technicians will design, build, and operate the automation system for the indoor container farm and provide hands-on support to mushroom and microgreen cultivation throughout the summer. Specific responsibilities and summer deliverables include:
  • Build the central control panel by mounting a Raspberry Pi, terminal blocks, I2C multiplexer, status LCD, and cable glands inside a DIN-rail-based enclosure.
  • Wire and install environmental sensors (temperature, humidity, CO2, ambient light) inside the inoculation and fruiting tents, using I2C bus extension over CAT6 cabling for reliable long-distance signaling.
  • Install and configure Mycodo on the Raspberry Pi to monitor environmental conditions and control humidifiers, exhaust fans, lights, and AC unit responses based on sensor data.
  • Tune PID controllers to maintain target humidity and CO2 setpoints across both growth stages, including configuring fresh-air-exchange logic for the fruiting tent.
  • Assemble the variable-speed fan controller circuit (PCB soldering and component placement) and integrate it with the EC duct fan for closed-loop CO2 regulation.
  • Set up InfluxDB and Grafana on the Raspberry Pi to store long-term environmental time-series data and to build operational dashboards covering both growth stages.
  • Install a Raspberry Pi HQ camera in the fruiting tent and configure scheduled timelapse capture, with image collection synchronized to humidifier cycles for clear visual records.
  • Configure mobile and desktop alerts to notify the team when environmental conditions drift outside target ranges, when humidifier reservoirs run low, or when sensors fail.
  • Prepare and sterilize growth media for mushroom cultivation, including agar plates, liquid cultures, and grain substrates, using pressure-cooker autoclaving and laminar flow hood techniques.
  • Inoculate petri dishes and grain jars using sterile technique with liquid culture and spore syringe methods, and support cultivation from inoculation through colonization, fruiting, and harvest.
  • Seed, water, and harvest microgreen trays on a continuous production schedule, recording germination rate, harvest weight, and other yield metrics.
  • Maintain laboratory cleanliness and follow strict sterilization and contamination prevention protocols across both production lines.
  • Collect substrate, tissue, and biomass samples and assist with laboratory preparation for nutrient analysis (nitrogen determination, mineral composition).
  • Document all build steps, wiring schematics, software configurations, and standard operating procedures so the system can be operated and extended after the summer.
  • Record experimental observations, contribute to summer research reports, and present results at an end-of-summer lab review.

The position offers 20 hours per week, with technicians working closely with supervisors and reporting any issues promptly. This position is summer-only and runs approximately from early June through late August. Compensation is $17 per hour.
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Must be graduated student at Cal Poly Pomona in Plant Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
  • Interest in indoor agriculture, controlled environment agriculture, mycology, microgreens, embedded systems, sensor integration, or research automation.
  • Prior experience in laboratory work, agriculture, horticulture, electronics, or hardware projects (Raspberry Pi, Arduino, or similar) is preferred but not required.
  • Familiarity with the Linux command line, Python scripting, basic soldering, or low-voltage wiring is a plus.
  • Comfort working with simple hand tools and willingness to learn sensor wiring and small-scale electronics assembly.
  • Ability to follow sterile laboratory procedures and research protocols.
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to document research activities.
  • Effective communication and teamwork skills.
  • Ability to work both in laboratory settings and controlled growth environments.
  • Motivated, innovative, and shows initiative.
  • Basic proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises, Inc. may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodation with the employer.

Apply