Assistant Professor in Cooperative Extension, Enology

Position overview

Salary range:
The salary range for this position is $110,600 - $138,500. "Off-scale salaries"-- 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.

Review timeline:
January 30, 2026 Applications due

Open date: January 5, 2026

Next review date: Friday, Jan 30, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Tuesday, Mar 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.

The Department of Viticulture and Enology; internationally recognized as a premier center of excellence in viticulture and research, teaching, and extension, is seeking applications for a Professor of Cooperative Extension (CE) to join the faculty at the Assistant rank in the field of Enology. The mission of the Department of Viticulture and Enology is to develop and disseminate comprehensive basic and applied knowledge regarding the production of wine (e.g., enology).

A Professor in CE is being recruited to conduct original applied research resulting in information that can be applied toward, but not limited to, the detection, prevention, or remediation of winemaking problems; improving the sustainability of production practices; understanding and controlling the composition and sensory properties of musts and wines in relation to viticultural variables or winery practices; practices assuring microbial stability of wine and identifying causes of microbial spoilage;

and production of high-quality no- or low-alcohol wines and spirits, and to develop an extension education and outreach program that extends information to toward various clientele (e.g., growers, vintners, consumers, and government partners) including under-represented groups. The successful candidate will bring visibility and leadership to campus- and county-based CE academics and other researchers and educators involved in the study of enology.

Professors of CE are also members of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), and research and extension activities will be closely integrated with county-based CE academics and clientele as well as campus-based CE and ladder rank faculty.

Responsibilities: This is a full time (fiscal year), career-track appointment that includes the expectation that the appointee will conduct mission-oriented research and engage in extension education and outreach that advances the mission of the Department of Viticulture and Enology and UC ANR. The focus of this position will be on enology. Accordingly, applicants should have the professional background necessary to conduct original research in aspects related to the production of wine.

By developing reciprocal and mutually beneficial relationships with colleagues and with various stakeholders, the candidate should become a knowledgeable partner who can provide reliable information and build research-informed networks to address issues of regional and California-wide importance. Advising and mentoring of graduate students is expected.

Extension Teaching: A person in this position is expected to provide leadership as a liaison between campus-based researchers, CE campus and county-based academics, and clientele and colleague groups such as growers, vintners, consumers, and government partners. This will include providing information to clientele through print publications, web-based resources and in-person presentations, and serving as a resource for other CE academics.

Applied Research: The successful candidate will:
1) coordinate applied research related to enology;
2) conduct and publish the results of applied research or other creative activities designed to support the California and global wine industry. Areas of emphasis may include any of the following, but are not limited to: the detection, prevention, or remediation of winemaking problems; improving the sustainability of production practices; understanding and controlling the composition and sensory properties of musts and wines in relation to viticultural variables or winery practices;

practices assuring microbial stability of wine and identifying causes of microbial spoilage; and production of high-quality no- or low-alcohol wines and spirits.

Professional Competence and Activity: The candidate will be expected to participate in professional society activities including presenting papers at national and international meetings; reviewing manuscripts and grant proposals in his/her area of expertise; and establishing productive working relationships with scientists and extension personnel in other states and countries. The goal would be to gain national and international recognition for scholarly contributions to the science and practices of enology, as…