Assistant Professor of Vegetable Crop Production

University of California - Davis; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 106,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Davis invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Vegetable Crop Productions in the Department of Plant Sciences. This is a 9-month, tenure-track position with an Agricultural Experiment Station appointment and a focus on building a funded research program addressing vegetable crop production, climate resilience, soil and water management, and related technologies.

The appointee will teach about 2.5 courses per year, mentor graduate students, and participate

Qualifications

• Basic qualification: Ph.D. or equivalent in Plant Sciences, Horticulture, Agronomy, Agroecology or relevant discipline at time of appointment.
• Demonstrated ability to obtain extramural funding for research.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses and to present to scientific audiences.
• Commitment to advising undergraduates and mentoring MS/PhD students.

Responsibilities

• Establish a competitively funded research program addressing vegetable crop production and related topics.
• Teach courses in plant sciences (approx. 2.5 per year) and participate in curricular development.
• Advise graduate students and participate in graduate and undergraduate mentoring.
• Engage in outreach and collaboration with UC Davis and external stakeholders.

Skills

Organizational skills

Scholarship

Communication

Mentoring

Curriculum design

Education

PhD or equivalent

Job description

Position overview

Salary range: 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.

Application Window

Open date: October 31, 2025

Most recent review date: Sunday, Dec 14, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Saturday, Oct 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

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

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.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

A. Basic qualification: Ph.D. or equivalent in a field of Plant Sciences, Horticulture, Agronomy, Agroecology or relevant discipline at the time of appointment.

Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

B. Evidence of organizational skills relevant to the development of a successful research, teaching and outreach program in 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 scientific audiences.
F. Willingness and interest to advise undergraduates.
G. Demonstrated ability or potential and interest to mentor M.S. and Ph.D. students.
H. Evidence of communication skills and collegiality consistent with effective departmental, campus and professional citizenship.
I. 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.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Initial review of applications will be conducted using anonymized versions of the statement of research accomplishments and future research plans relevant to address critical or emerging issues in Vegetable Crop Production. Applications demonstrating sufficient potential based on this review will be advanced to full review.

• Curriculum Vitae including publication list - Your most recently updated C.V.




• Statement of research accomplishments and future research plans relevant to address critical or emerging issues in Vegetable Crop Production




• Statement of teaching accomplishments and philosophy




• Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form.




• Publication #1 (Optional)




• Publication #2 (Optional)




• Publication #3 (Optional)




• Transcripts (if the applicant is within five years of Ph.D. degree) (Optional)

Reference requirements

• 4-6 required (contact information only)

The names, addresses, including e-mail, of four professional references (not from UC Davis). Two addtional optional references may be from UCDavis.

About UC Davis

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.

• \"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 prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.


• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy


• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties


• APM - 035: Aff. Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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\" 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.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.

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 or federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check.

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.

UC Davis is also a national leader in inclusive practice. There are numerous links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our administration, campus rankings, locations, campus safety, sustainability, visiting