Recruit

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.

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). A commitment to the UCR mission (https://apro.ucr.edu/mission-statement) is a preferred qualification.

We seek to hire scholars who will both advance our research directions and effectively educate our undergraduate and graduate students, while also engaging with University and Professional service activities. Research and teaching statements that are included with application materials are opportunities for candidates to share knowledge, experience, and goals that support the mission of UCR. For more information on UC’s criteria for successful faculty, refer to the Academic Personnel Manual (APM) 210 - Criteria for Appointment, Promotion, and Appraisal (https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-210.pdf).

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 categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, State, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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 or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer. A Misconduct Disclosure Survey will be completed through Truescreen, which is the vendor that administers this process for the campus.

For the University of California's Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy please visit:
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000385/SVSH.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students, and Third Parties, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination.

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy, please visit: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/apm/apm-035.pdf.