The Department of Plant and Soil Science (PSS) in the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is recruiting an Assistant/Associate Professor of Viticulture. Duties will include conducting research and teaching in support of the commercial wine grape industry of Texas. This is an academic year (nine-month), tenure-track position with research, teaching, and service/outreach responsibilities. A typical faculty position in PSS is 50% teaching, 45% research, and 5% service and outreach, but the appointment is negotiable based on the successful candidate’s experience. The Texas grape and wine industry has more than a $20 billion total annual economic impact on the state, and 80% of wine grapes grown in the state are produced near Lubbock within the Texas High Plains AVA. This position will be based in Lubbock and provides excellent opportunities for networking and professional growth with industry and other researchers within Texas and across the nation.
The successful candidate is expected to establish a nationally respected and externally-funded research program addressing high priority issues for Texas High Plains grape growers. Potential areas of research may include grapevine physiology, water management, nutrition management, cultural practices, vineyard mechanization, or other relevant areas based upon candidate expertise. The incumbent is expected to coordinate with other PSS faculty in viticulture and enology, and will have excellent opportunities to develop collaborations with faculty in plant breeding, genetics, and genomics; plant water relations; soils; precision agriculture; environmental sciences; and remote sensing found within the PSS Department and Texas Tech University. The applicant will be expected to procure extramural funding, supervise undergraduate and graduate research projects, direct MS and PhD student committees, and publish research findings in peer reviewed journals. Participation in outreach and engagement programs are expected.
The candidate will be expected to deliver undergraduate and graduate level viticulture courses relevant to their academic discipline. A typical 50% teaching appointment carries expectations of four courses per calendar year, and teaching expectations will be adjusted based on final appointment. It is anticipated the candidate will teach an advanced undergraduate viticulture course, as well as other course topics related to the individual’s expertise and departmental needs.
Involvement and service with the university, college, and department, and participation with local, state and national viticulture organizations is expected.
Qualifications: A Ph.D. in Viticulture, Horticulture, or Plant Physiology is required. Candidates should have practical knowledge and experience developing, managing, and conducting research in a vineyard setting. In addition, the successful candidate should exhibit strong interest in undergraduate and graduate student-centered learning and teaching, and demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills. It is essential the applicant displays the ability to work independently and is well-organized. Furthermore, the candidate must interact well with peers, grape growers, university personnel, industry members, and governmental agencies. The candidate must validate excellent writing and oral communication skills. Greater consideration will be given to candidates who have productive records of scholarly activity, student involved research, and teaching. Demonstrated proficiency in written and oral use of the English language is required. Candidates who have strong records of scholarship supported by extramural funding and who have proven capacity or clear potential to bring externally sponsored research to Texas Tech University are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran. In addition, experience working with diverse student populations and first-generation students is highly desirable.
Salary: Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. See http://www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/benefits/ for benefits information.
The Department: The PSS Department is a comprehensive academic unit conducting research and offering coursework and programs in several areas of plant and soil sciences. There are 26 full-time faculty members and a student body consisting of approximately 130 undergraduate and 120 graduate students. B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. level degrees are offered in Plant and Soil Science. Additionally, distance education courses and four certificate programs are offered. The department is research-intensive, while fostering strong teaching expectations and commitments. Students in the department are educated to meet the challenge of using soil, water, and plant resources for sustainable production and environmental quality.
The College: The Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) is a leading college at Texas Tech University with six academic departments: Agriculture and Applied Economics; Agricultural Education and Communications; Animal and Food Sciences; Landscape Architecture; Natural Resources Management; and Plant and Soil Science. In addition, within the College there are multiple research centers and institutes. The CASNR Water Center coordinates faculty who have water-related expertise and interests. For the most recent academic year, the college had 90 tenured/tenure-track faculty, 1,579 undergraduates and 379 M.S. and Ph.D. students. CASNR has an annual operating budget of more than $10M, and approximately $21 million annually in total research expenditures.
The University: Texas Tech University is one of four major state-supported universities in Texas. The University consists of 10 colleges, School of Law, Graduate School, and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Texas Tech University is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), and more than 33,000 students currently attend classes at the Lubbock campus. The City of Lubbock has about 230,000 residents, a moderately low cost of living, and enjoys 264 sunny days per year on the Southern High Plains.
Candidates interested in this position should visit the Texas Tech University application site at http://www.texastech.edu/careers/ and search for Requisition Number 32834BR.
