Assistant Professor of Vegetable Crop Production
Department of Plant Sciences, 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, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, at the University of California, Davis announces an Assistant Professor faculty position (9-month tenure-track, in the Plant Sciences Department). Applicants with experience and accomplishments in other systems that can be applied towards vegetable crop production in California and internationally are encouraged to apply. Research areas may include but are not limited to vegetable crop production systems, climate resilience, sustainable soil, water, and nutrient management practices, technological advances such as AI and remote sensing, weed management, crop quality, food safety, and human nutrition. Interdisciplinary partnerships with other UC researchers, UC ANR, and beyond are expected to develop holistic solutions for the future.
California is a global leader in vegetable production with a $10 billion industry supplying over 60% of US production. In this dynamic environment, applied research on crop production using innovative approaches and technologies is needed to address growing challenges related to water use efficiency, environmental impacts, nutrient management and regulation, labor-related issues, consumer interest in sustainable production practices, and food safety risks. This field-oriented position will investigate opportunities for crop management and cropping system design to deliver science-based information to a range of stakeholders, providing a foundation for broader benefits from the farm to food systems level.
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).
As one of the country's leading R1 institutions, UC Davis seeks candidates with exceptional potential for research, teaching, and inclusive excellence. The successful candidate 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.
Applicants should submit materials via the following website:
https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07400. Additional inquiries can be directed to Patrick H Brown phbrown@ucdavis.edu. The position will remain open until filled but to ensure consideration, applications should be received by December 14, 2025.
Responsibilities:
The Department of Plant Sciences is seeking applicants that focus on vegetable crop production. The appointee is expected to establish a competitively funded research program in Plant Sciences relevant to critical or emerging issues in Vegetable Crop Production. The appointee is expected to establish a competitively funded research program to address critical or emerging issues in Vegetable Crop Production. Applicants with experience and accomplishments in other systems that can be applied towards vegetable crop production in California and internationally are encouraged to apply. Research areas may include but are not limited to vegetable crop production systems, climate resilience, sustainable soil, water, and nutrient management practices, technological advances such as AI and remote sensing, weed management, crop quality, food safety, and human nutrition. Interdisciplinary partnerships with other UC researchers, UC ANR, and beyond are expected to develop holistic solutions for the future. The appointee will be responsible for teaching courses in plant sciences that support vegetable production systems. Typical teaching expectations include serving as instructor of record for 2.5 courses per year on average, with specific course assignments determined in consultation with the Department Chair and Vice Chair for Instruction and Curriculum. Potential courses include Organic Crop Production (PLS 049) and Crop Management Practices in Vegetable Crop Production (PLS 110) with additional opportunities for co-teaching in large enrollment undergraduate courses (e.g., Just Coffee, PLS 007V, Botany and Physiology of Cultivated Plants, PLS2) as well as upper level undergraduate (e.g., Environmental Interactions of Cultivated Plants, PLS 100C) and graduate courses (e.g., Horticulture & Agronomy: Practices, HRT 200B) in Plant Sciences and related disciplines. The candidate is expected to be active in graduate student advising and undergraduate student mentoring and curricular development. Participation in and development of public outreach and/or community engagement programs, and performance of departmental and university service is expected. This position is expected to collaborate with Cooperative Extension Specialists and Advisors, partners in allied industries or other appropriate public stakeholders. The candidate is expected to be active in graduate student advising, undergraduate student mentoring and curricular development. Participation in and development of public outreach and/or community engagement programs, and performance of departmental and university service are expected. This position is expected to collaborate with Cooperative Extension Specialists and Advisors, partners in allied industries or other appropriate public stakeholders.
Qualifications:
Ph.D. or equivalent in a field of Plant Sciences, Horticulture, Agronomy, Agroecology or relevant discipline at the time of appointment with clear evidence of organizational skills relevant to the development of a successful research, teaching and outreach program. The candidate should show evidence of scholarship during graduate or post-graduate activities and demonstrated ability or potential, to obtain extramural support for research activities and must demonstrate the ability to develop and instruct undergraduate and graduate courses and to advise undergraduate and graduate students. Demonstrated ability or potential and interest to mentor M.S. and Ph.D. students. Excellent communication skills and collegiality consistent with effective departmental, campus and professional citizenship is expected.
The candidate must have an interest, understanding, and commitment to the objectives of a land-grant university and the Agricultural Experiment Station, including mission-oriented research and a substantive outreach engagement programming.
Salary:
The salary range for this position is $105,700 - $129,600 (annual). "Off-scale salaries" and other components of pay, i.e., 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/JPF07400. The position will remain open until filled. To ensure consideration, applications should be received by December 14, 2025.
Initial review of applications will be conducted using anonymized versions of the Statement of Research Accomplishments and Interests Applications demonstrating sufficient potential based on this review will be advanced to full review.
Required application materials include: 1) curriculum vitae including publication list, 2) up to three publications, 3) transcripts if the applicant is within five years of Ph.D. degree, 4) statement of research accomplishments and future research plans relevant to address critical or emerging issues in Vegetable Crop Production, 5) statement of teaching accomplishments and philosophy, 6) the names, addresses, including e-mail, of four professional references (not from UC Davis) and 7) an Authorization Release Form Additional inquiries should be directed to Patrick H Brown phbrown@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.
