Unit 18 Lecturer - EBS 189F

University of California, Davis; Davis, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 6,000 - 10,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of California, Davis is seeking a lecturer to teach a Special Topics course in Biological Systems Engineering titled “Innovation for Impact: Food Systems” (EBS 189F) for Winter Quarter 2027. The appointment is 33% FTE and based on expertise and teaching excellence.

The course, offered in person on campus in Davis, CA, focuses on customer discovery, Lean LaunchPad, and entrepreneurship in agriculture and food systems. PhD or extensive teaching experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or extensive university teaching experience in a relevant area.
• Evidence of teaching excellence or potential for excellence.
• Commitment to inclusive undergraduate education and innovation in agriculture.

Responsibilities

• Teach Special Topics in Biological Systems Engineering: Innovation for Impact: Food Systems (EBS 189F).
• Deliver a 4-unit, project-based course in-person at UC Davis in Winter Quarter 2027.
• Apply Lean LaunchPad and stakeholder discovery methods to real food and agriculture problems.

Skills

Teaching experience

Course design

Student mentorship

Education

Master’s degree in Biological Systems Engineering, Food Science, or related field

PhD in Biological Systems Engineering, Food Science, or related field

Tools

Lean LaunchPad

I-Corps

customer discovery methods

Job description

Service dates

January 4, 2027 - March 19, 2027

Duties and Responsibilities

Teach Special Topics in Biological Systems Engineering: "Innovation for Impact: Food Systems" (EBS 189F, 4 units) in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering during Winter Quarter 2027. The course will be taught in person on the main UC Davis campus in Davis, CA.

General Information

The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering in the College of Engineering at the University of California, Davis offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in Biological Systems Engineering. Graduates of the program are among notable agricultural and engineering industry professionals in California and throughout the world.
Innovation for Impact: Food Systems (EBS 189F) is a 4.0-unit, project-based course offered in partnership with the College of Engineering’s Student Startup Center. It meets in person twice a week (3 hours 40 minutes total), with no laboratory component. Student teams use Lean LaunchPad and stakeholder discovery methods to develop solutions to real problems brought by food and agriculture industry and research sponsors.
The appointment is 33% FTE for Winter Quarter 2027 (January 4, 2027 - March 19, 2027). The lecturer will be selected based on professional and academic expertise and must be able to teach the principles and practices of customer discovery and venture development as applied to agriculture and food systems.

Salary and Appointment Level

Commensurate with experience and course assignment. This appointment is expected to be 33% FTE for one quarter (10-11 weeks).

The University of California, Davis, and the Department of Viticulture & Enology are interested in candidates who are committed to the highest standards of scholarship and professional activities.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of start):

• Master’s degree in Biological Systems Engineering, Food Science, or a related field, or extensive university-level teaching experience in a relevant area. Exceptions may be made for exceptional candidates with strong and relevant experience in both practice and teaching.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start):

• Evidence of teaching excellence or potential for excellence, and a commitment to inclusive and quality undergraduate education.
• Demonstrated interest in innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture and food systems.

Preferred qualifications:

• PhD in Biological Systems Engineering, Food Science, or a related field.
• Experience teaching or mentoring with Lean LaunchPad, I-Corps, or similar customer discovery methods.
• Professional experience in startups, venture capital, corporate innovation, business development, or commercialization in the agriculture and food sector.

• Master’s degree in Biological Systems Engineering, Food Science, or a related field, or extensive university-level teaching experience in a relevant area. Exceptions may be made for exceptional candidates with strong and relevant experience in both practice and teaching.