As part of UC Davis’s commitment to hire leading research faculty with an outstanding commitment to teaching and service that meets the needs of our diverse state and student population, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California announces an Assistant Professor faculty position (9-month) in the Department of Viticulture and Enology. Applications are encouraged from candidates with a strong background in any current or emerging area that will fit within our department’s disciplinary focus in Applied Viticulture.
The appointee will be based at the Oakville Experimental Station in Napa Valley, a premier winegrowing region, and will establish a competitively funded research program in applied viticulture. The research will address critical challenges faced by the California winegrape industry, including water scarcity, labor shortages, wildfires, pests, diseases, and the impacts of climate change. The appointee’s work will focus on developing innovative and sustainable vineyard management practices that enhance resilience and productivity. Research areas may include mechanized and automated vineyard management, precision viticulture, strategies to improve soil and water conservation, and practices to mitigate pest and disease pressures. Additional focus could include improving grape and wine quality by exploring the factors influencing flavor, aroma, and texture, as well as evaluating grapevine varieties and clones for optimal performance under changing environmental conditions.
In addition to 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. 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. The appointee will be responsible for teaching at least one undergraduate course per year and will be expected to contribute to graduate-level education by teaching in courses aligned with their expertise and research interests. Additionally, the individual will contribute to departmental and university service as part of their overall responsibilities.
As one of the country’s leading research intensive (R1) institutions, UC Davis seeks candidates with exceptional potential for research, teaching, and inclusive excellence. It is expected that candidates will demonstrate an understanding of the barriers preventing full participation of members from historically underrepresented and marginalized student communities in higher education. Successful candidates will have an accomplished track record (calibrated to career stage) of teaching, research, and service activities, including a clearly articulated vision of how their work at UC Davis will contribute to the University’s mission of serving the needs of our diverse state and student population. An applicants’ track record of engagement and activity related to diversity, equal opportunity, and inclusion (calibrated to career stage), as well as their plans for future engagement, will be a significant part of the evaluation of the candidate’s qualifications for a faculty appointment.
Applicants should submit materials via the following website:
https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF06900
Additional inquiries should be directed to Dr. Dario Cantu (dacantu@ucdavis.edu).
The position will remain open until filled but to ensure consideration, applications should be received by March 15, 2025.