Category: Vegetable Industry

The Department of Viticulture & Enology in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California, Davis is recruiting an Assistant Professor with an emphasis in applied viticulture. This is an academic year (9-month), tenure track Assistant Professor position with a majority appointment in the University of California Agricultural Experiment Station (AES). Faculty members who hold an AES appointment conduct research and outreach relevant to the AES mission.

The appointee will be based at the Oakville Experimental Station in Napa Valley, one of the world’s premier winegrowing regions. [https://wineserver.ucdavis.edu/about/facilities/oakville-station] From here, the appointee will be expected to develop an externally-funded field research program focused on applied viticulture to address the critical challenges facing the California winegrape industry. The winegrape industry, a key agricultural sector in the state, faces increasing threats from water scarcity, labor shortages, wildfires, pests, diseases, and climate change. To help address these challenges, the appointee’s research shall focus on the development of innovative and sustainable cultural practices in wine grape vineyards. Potential areas of research could include the development of: (1) mechanized and automated vineyard management practices; (2) advanced technologies and decision-support tools for precision viticulture; (3) vineyard management practices designed to increase resilience to extreme climate conditions, (4) strategies which conserve soil and water; (5) novel viticultural practices which mitigate existing and emerging pest and disease threats; (6) strategies for improving grape and wine quality, focusing on flavor, aroma, and texture; and (7) evaluations of grapevine varieties and clones. Collaboration with colleagues in viticulture, enology, chemistry, genetics, breeding, microbiology, and agricultural engineering is expected to further expand the scope and impact of the research.

Beyond research, the appointee will develop a robust outreach program dedicated to advancing winegrape production by engaging industry stakeholders, including commodity groups, winegrape commissions, regional technical groups, the ag-technology sector, and commercial grape growers. Outreach activities could include field days, workshops, and short courses in collaboration with farm advisors and practitioners. The Oakville Station will serve as a potential hub for industry engagement, providing a venue for professionals to learn about the latest innovations and participate in demonstration projects. Other outreach efforts might include producing industry-relevant publications and electronic resources to broaden access to research insights. This position is expected to collaborate with Cooperative Extension specialists and advisors, partners in allied industries, and other appropriate public stakeholders.

The appointee will be responsible for teaching at least one undergraduate course per year. This would include developing a virtual version of VEN 003 (Introduction to Winemaking) to expand access to this foundational course, with opportunity to also teach in-person at the UC Davis Campus VEN 002 (Introduction to Viticulture). In addition to undergraduate instruction, the appointee is expected to contribute to graduate-level education by teaching in courses aligned with their expertise and research interests, such as VEN 216 (Sustainable Vineyard Development), VEN 217 (Field & GIS Evaluation of Soils), or VEN 291 (Advanced Viticulture). As part of their academic responsibilities, the appointee will provide mentorship to undergraduate students, including advising on research projects, internships, and academic pathways. The appointee is also expected to serve as an advisor to graduate students, guiding thesis and dissertation research, fostering professional development, and supporting students in their progression through the graduate program. Additionally, the individual will contribute to departmental and university service as part of their overall responsibilities.

This recruitment is conducted at the assistant rank. The resulting hire will be at the assistant rank, regardless of the proposed appointee’s qualifications.

Initial review of applications will be conducted using anonymized versions of the Statement of Research Accomplishments and Interests and the Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Applications demonstrating sufficient potential based on this review will be advanced to full review

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community dedicated to the advancement, application, and transmission of knowledge and creative endeavors through academic excellence, where all individuals who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in a safe and secure environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. With this commitment, UC Davis conducts a reference check on all first-choice candidates for Academic Senate Assistant Professor, Steps 4, 5, or 6 through Professor, Assistant Professor of Teaching, Steps 4, 5, or 6 through Professor of Teaching, and Acting Professor of Law through Professor of Law positions. The reference check involves contacting the administration of the applicant’s previous institution(s) to ask whether there have been substantiated findings of misconduct that would violate the University’s Faculty Code of Conduct. To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search for these faculty positions to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled “Authorization to Release Information” into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration. Although all applicants for faculty recruitments must complete the entire application, only finalists considered for these faculty positions will be subject to reference checks.

UC Davis supports Family-friendly recruitments. UC Davis covers travel expenses for a second person to accompany an invited faculty recruitment candidate who is a mother (or single parent of either gender) of a breast or bottle-feeding child less than two years of age.
{http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/programs/work-life/index.html}

UC Davis recognizes the necessity of supporting faculty with efforts to integrate work, family and other work-life considerations. To recruit and retain the best faculty, the campus sponsors a Work Life
Program that provides programs and services that support faculty as they strive to honor their commitments to work, home and community. [http://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/programs/worklife/index.html]

The UC Davis Partner Opportunities Program (POP) and Capital Resource Network (CRN) are services designed to support departments and Deans’ offices in the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty. For information about POP, please visit [https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/partner-opportunities-program-pop]. For information about the CRN, please visit [https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/capital-resource-network]. Please note eligibility for these programs may be based on policy and funding availability.

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals’ with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: [http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct]

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.

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community [https://diversity.ucdavis.edu/principles-community] and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision our strategic plan:[https://diversity.ucdavis.edu/about/strategic-plan], “To Boldly Go,”[https://leadership.ucdavis.edu/strategic-plan] our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement[https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/mission-statement] , and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. [https://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/governance/policies/4400.html] UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution.[https://diversity.ucdavis.edu/hsi] The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion [https://diversity.ucdavis.edu/] offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) [https://health.ucdavis.edu/diversity-inclusion/] has outlined similar goals in their Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety. [https://www.ucdavis.edu/about]

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. [https://greenmetric.ui.ac.id/about/welcome] UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come. [https://climatechange.ucdavis.edu/]

• “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 

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, “Authorization to Release Information” into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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 nondiscrimination policy.

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

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 UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their “Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

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.