Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology and Fungal Biology
Department of Plant Pathology University of California, Davis
As part of UC Davis' commitment to hire leading research faculty with an outstanding commitment to teaching, research and service that will address the needs of our increasingly diverse state and student population, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, at the University of California announces an Assistant Professor faculty position (9-month) in the Department of Plant Pathology. 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 plant pathology.
As one of the country's leading R1 institutions, UC Davis seeks candidates with exceptional potential for research, teaching, and inclusive excellence. Successful candidates will help advance UC Davis' strategic goal of improving access and building an inclusive community for all. The successful candidate also will have an accomplished track record (calibrated to career stage) of teaching, research, or service activities and a clearly articulated vision of how their work at UC Davis will continue to contribute to the University's mission of serving the needs of our diverse state and student population.
This is an academic year (9-month), Assistant Professor tenure-track position with teaching, research, outreach/engagement and service responsibilities and includes the expectation that the appointee will conduct mission-oriented research and outreach/engagement of relevance to the California Agricultural Experiment Station (https://caes.ucdavis.edu/research/aes).
Responsibilities:
The Department of Plant Pathology at the University of California, Davis is seeking applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Mycology, with a focus on plant pathogenic, symbiotic, or mycotoxigenic fungi and fungal-like organisms (e.g., oomycetes). We are looking for a highly motivated and creative scientist with a strong background in mycology and/or the biology of fungi and fungal-like organisms that interact with plants. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a world-class, externally funded research program that integrates both fundamental and applied aspects of fungal biology within the context of plant pathology. We welcome applicants pursuing a wide range of research topics related to plant-associated fungi, including but not limited to mechanisms of fungal pathogenesis or symbiosis with plants, population genomics and evolution of fungal plant pathogens, plant-associated fungal microbiomes and plant-microbe interactions, and/or one health approaches to fungal diseases and antifungal resistance. Applicants working in other relevant research areas involving pathogenic, symbiotic, or mycotoxigenic fungi or fungal-like organisms that affect plant health are also encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will have significant opportunities for collaboration with faculty in plant pathology, microbiology, genomics, and agricultural sciences, and to contribute to addressing issues of importance to California's agricultural and natural ecosystems.
The appointee primary teaching responsibilities will be teaching Introductory Mycology, an upper-division lab class, and SAS 30, Mushroom, Molds & Society, a general education class for non-majors. Additional graduate and undergraduate teaching responsibilities may be assigned based on departmental needs and the candidate's expertise. The department offers modern instructional facilities, including a newly renovated teaching laboratory.
Mentoring of graduate students, undergraduate student advising, curricular development, participation in and development of outreach programs, and performance of departmental and university service is expected. The successful candidate will be an active member of the Plant Pathology Graduate Program and other graduate groups as appropriate to the appointee's interests and expertise. Participation in and development of outreach/engagement programs, and performance of departmental and university service is expected. This position is expected to collaborate with extension educators and partners in allied industries.
Qualifications:
A Ph.D. in plant pathology, mycology, microbiology, or a closely related field, a strong research background in fungal biology relevant to plant systems, a record of scholarly achievement, demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed international journals, and a demonstrated potential to establish an independent, externally funded research program are a must. Postdoctoral experience, evidence of excellence in teaching and mentoring and an interest in interdisciplinary and collaborative research addressing both basic and applied questions in plant pathology are a strong plus.
Salary:
The salary range for this position is $105,700 - $129,600 (annual). "Off-scale salaries" and other components of pay, creating a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions, qualifications, and experience.
Applications:
Application materials must be submitted via the following website: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07339 The position will remain open until filled. To ensure consideration, applications should be received by December 1, 2025.
Required application materials include: 1) curriculum vitae including publication list, 2) up to three publications, 3) statement of research accomplishments and future research plans relevant to plant pathology and fungal biology 4) statement of teaching accomplishments and philosophy, 5) arrange to have letters from at least three professional references be uploaded to Recruit , and 6) an Authorization Release Form. Additional inquiries should be directed to Dr. Doug Cook, drcook@ucdavis.edu.
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, or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
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" (AOR) 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.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity 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 status under state for federal law.
The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees and students. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service are embodied by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values. A variety of resources and programs are available to academics, staff, and students that reflect the core values reflected in 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.
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