Assistant Professor of Vegetable Crop Production

Position overview

Salary range for this position is $105,700 - $129,600 (annual). Off-surface 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.

Open date:
October 31, 2025

Most recent review date:
Sunday, Dec 14, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date:
Saturday, Oct 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

The Department of Plant Sciences in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California, Davis is recruiting an Assistant Professor in Vegetable Crop Production. This is an academic year (9‑month), tenure track position that includes an appointment in the California Agricultural Experiment Station (AES). Faculty members who hold an AES appointment have a responsibility to conduct research and outreach relevant to the mission of the California AES.

Participation in outreach programs and performance of university service are also expected.

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 to 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.

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. Applications demonstrating sufficient potential based on this review will be advanced to full review.

• A. Basic qualification:
  Ph.D. or equivalent in a field of Plant Sciences, Horticulture, Agronomy, Agroecology or relevant discipline at the time of appointment.
• B. Evidence of organizational skills relevant to the development of a successful research, teaching and outreach program in the discipline.
• C. Evidence of scholarship during graduate or post‑graduate activities.
• D. Demonstrated ability or potential to obtain extramural support for research activities.
• E. Demonstrated ability or potential to develop and instruct undergraduate and graduate courses and to present information to…