"Assistant Professor in Horticulture"

Assistant Professor in Horticulture

University of California Riverside

The Department of Botany and Plant Sciences at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) invites applicants for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant level in horticulture. We seek researchers who use genomic, biotechnological, and/or physiological approaches to address important topics in horticulture. The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2026. We are particularly interested in candidates whose research connects fundamental discovery with practical advances in horticulture.

Research that improves productivity, stress tolerance, post-harvest physiology, reproductive physiology, and environmental and economic sustainability is especially encouraged. Complementary areas of interest include: development of new cultivars, applications of genomics to trait discovery and approaches to link genotype with phenotype, gene editing or synthetic biology to accelerate cultivar development and neodomestication, urban landscape revitalization, regenerative agriculture, controlled environment agriculture, and precision/digital horticulture, among others.

The successful candidate will be expected to establish a creative, vigorous, extramurally funded research program, and to engage external partners to ensure that their discoveries can translate into real-world impact, support UCR's Plant Biology and Agricultural Sciences curricula through teaching and mentoring, and contribute to departmental and campus success through service. Teaching responsibilities include the development and instruction of undergraduate and graduate courses in horticulture, agricultural sciences, controlled environment agriculture, or other plant science disciplines. The candidate may also contribute to campus-wide undergraduate life sciences teaching and supervise graduate students.

The successful candidate will join a vibrant community of researchers in the Botany and Plant Sciences Department and its graduate program, as well as across several life sciences programs. The successful candidate will have access to UCR's Agricultural Experiment Station facilities; Core Facilities for genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, microscopy, and stem cells; a high-performance computing cluster; and, through The University of California, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, a statewide network of research extension centers. Consult https://plantbiology.ucr.edu/ for further details.

The UC salary consists of a base pay of $80,800 to $104,700 for Assistant Professors and additional off-scale to be commensurate with market value, qualifications and experiences. The off-scale portion of the salary will be maintained as long as satisfactory academic progress is made. Additionally, the off-scale will be maintained subject to market adjustments to the UC salary scale.

Basic qualifications for this position that must be met by the date of application include: a Ph.D. in a relevant field by the time of application, with postdoctoral research experience strongly preferred. A demonstrated record of impactful scientific contributions, reflected in peer-reviewed publications, and the potential to secure extramural funding are essential.

Advancement through the Professor ranks at the University of California is through a series of structured, merit-based evaluations, occurring every 2-3 years, each of which includes substantial peer input.

To apply: Applicants must submit their materials online at https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/JPF02180. A complete application must include the following:

• Cover Letter - A brief letter describing the applicant's background, research interests, and motivation for applying.
• Curriculum Vitae - A comprehensive CV detailing educational background, research experience, publications, and other relevant achievements.
• Statement of Teaching and Mentoring (2-page maximum) - A concise summary of teaching and mentoring philosophy, including past experiences and future plans for instruction and student development.
• Statement of Research (2-page maximum) - A description of past research accomplishments, current work, and future research directions.
• Letters of Recommendation - Applicants must request letters from three referees at the time of application. Referees should submit their letters directly to UC Recruit by December 19, 2025.

Review of applications will commence on December 19, 2025, and proceed until position is filled. For full consideration, applicants should submit their complete applications prior to the above date.

For more information about this position, please contact Sean Cutler, Chair of the Search Committee, Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, at sean.cutler@ucr.edu. For questions on application procedures and requirements, please contact Rocio McFadden, Academic Personnel, at rocio.mcfadden@ucr.edu.