Closing Date:

January 4, 2021

Job Address:

California State University, Fresno
Department of Viticulture and Enology
2360 E. Barstow Avenue MS VR89
Fresno, CA 93740-8003

Job Description:

Job #498260. For official position description visit https://careers.fresnostate.edu/.

• Available for Academic Year: 2021/2022.

Position Summary

The Department of Viticulture and Enology has an opening for a tenure-track or tenured faculty, 9-month (academic year) appointment. Candidates with expertise in viticulture, horticulture, plant science, and related fields will be considered. The candidate shall be comfortable in teaching viticulture related classes at the undergraduate and graduate level (e.g. General Viticulture, Wine Grape Production, Organic Viticulture, and Research in Viticulture & Enology). The teaching assignment and research program will be determined by the area of expertise of the final candidate and by department needs. The position requires engagement with the Viticulture and Enology Research Center (VERC) including conducting applied research, agricultural technology development, training and demonstrations. The successful candidate will be expected to develop externally funded research and industry outreach programs involving undergraduate and graduate students. All faculty members in the department are expected to work collaboratively with the wine and grape industry to address challenges regionally and beyond. All faculty are also expected to engage in high impact practices that promote student success such as, but not limited to, internships, international/global experiences, service learning, outcomes assessment, and collaborative assignments. Service at all levels of university governance and within the wine and grape industry is also expected. Willingness and ability to work in collaborative multi-disciplinary teams and to complete tasks on time are essential characteristics of candidates filling these positions. The successful candidate will be expected to work cooperatively with faculty and staff in the department, college, and university, as well as industry stakeholders.

Overview:

It is the goal of the Department of Viticulture and Enology to be a world-class center of excellence that effectively meets the educational and research needs of students and the broader grape and wine community. The Department provides practical hands-on education to a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students through its teaching and solution-focused research programs. The Department currently serves approximately 150 students through its MS in Viticulture and Enology, BS in Enology, BS in Viticulture. These academic programs are supported by a strong group of faculty and staff with a commitment to education, research, and industry outreach and service. The program consistently ranks among the top institutions in the country for viticulture and enology.

The Department’s strong research program is supported by the Viticulture and Enology Research Center (VERC), the Jordan College Graduate Lab, the newly-opened Jordan Agricultural Research Center, the Olam Sensory Laboratory, the University Agricultural Laboratory (UAL), and the V.E. Petrucci Library, a collection of Henry Madden Library embedded within the Department and dedicated to viticulture and enology. VERC and JARC provide research laboratory space and major instrumentation. VERC supports outreach events, endowed student research assistantships, and endowed faculty research chairs. The UAL includes a 120-acre vineyard, raisin processing plant, and the nation’s first commercial winery located within a college campus. A new research winery and greenhouse have been funded and will soon be under construction.

The Department is located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the most profitable agriculture region in the United States. The extensive and highly developed viticulture industry (raisins, table and wine grapes) consistently accounts for over 5 billion dollars in revenues, representing by wide margins the largest concentration in the United States. For more than half a century, Fresno State’s viticulture and enology programs and our students have benefited from close connections and collaboration with the grape and wine industry and our strong, involved, and successful alumni throughout California and the world

Required Education:

An earned doctorate (Ph.D.) in Viticulture, Horticulture, Plant Science, or a related discipline is required for appointment to a tenure track position. Candidates nearing completion of the doctorate (ABD) will be considered. For appointment, the doctorate must be completed by August 17, 2021 (date of appointment)

Required Experience:

1. Commitment to and potential for teaching excellence;
2. Evidence or potential for publications in scholarly journals;
3. Commitment to and potential for scholarly activity at the university level and successful grant writing;
4. Strong oral and written communication skills;
5. Ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Appointment to the rank of Associate Professor and an appointment with tenure requires an established and outstanding record of research, publication, and successful grant writing commensurate with the respective rank.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience with grapevine and field-based research in viticulture or tree crops;
2. Experience teaching, advising, and working with undergraduate and graduate students;
3. Productive postdoctoral experience;
4. A publication record that is commensurate with the candidate’s experience;
5. Demonstrated ability to obtain funding for research;
6. A strong understanding of the challenges facing grape industries in the San Joaquin Valley and knowledge of preparing students for careers in these industries;
7. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with the grape industry in the San Joaquin Valley to address regional challenges.

To Apply:

Review of applications will begin January 4th, 2021 and may continue until the position is filled. Applicants must complete an online application at careers.fresnostate.edu and attach the following:
1. cover letter specifically addressing the required experience and preferred qualifications;
2. a curriculum vitae;
3. a statement of teaching philosophy;
4. a statement of research and outreach interest areas;
5. a statement of contribution to diversity;
6. the names, titles, addresses, phone/fax numbers, and email addresses of four professional references;
7. unofficial transcripts.

Finalists will be required to submit (l) three current letters of recommendation and (2) official transcripts.

For inquiries, please contact: Dr. Luca Brillante, Search Committee Chair, California State University, Fresno; Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology; Department of Viticulture & Enology, 2360 E. Barstow M/S VR89; Fresno, CA 93740; Phone: 559-278-3940; E-mail: lucabrillante@csufresno.edu.

Other Requirements:

A link to the Annual Safety and Security/Fire Safety Report is provided in compliance with the 1998 Jeanne Clery Disclosure Act, and the California Education Code section 67380. The report includes three calendar years of select campus crime statistics and it includes security policies and procedures for the campus. Applicants, students, and employees can obtain a copy of this report from the web site: http://www.fresnostate.edu/police/clery/index.shtml or by contacting the Campus Police Department. The person holding this position may be considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set for in CSU-Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. You can obtain a copy of this Executive order by accessing the following web site: http://www.calstate.edu/eo/EO-1083.html

Necessary background investigations will be completed depending on the requirements of the position. Those could include, but are not limited to, processing of fingerprints through the Department of Justice and FBI, and degree and license verification. A conditional offer may be made based on the results of these verifications.

California State University, Fresno is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status.

• Fresno State has been recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI); an Asian American/Native American/Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI); and has been designated to the Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
• Faculty members gain a clear path to tenure through the University’s Probationary Plan Process.
• Salary placement depends upon academic preparation and professional experience.
• California State University, Fresno is a vibrant and growing campus. When necessary, the University may decide to make more than one faculty appointment from a single search.