Assistant Professor of Practice, Viticulture Wooster Campus

  • Ohio State University
  • Columbus, Ohio
  • Full Time

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Job Title: Assistant Professor of Practice, Viticulture Wooster Campus Department: FAES | Horticulture and Crop Science

Assistant Professor of Practice, Viticulture

Horticulture and Crop Science

College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Position Overview

  • Distribution of Effort: 80% extension, 10% research, and 10% service
  • Position Track: Professional Practice, full-time, 9-month appointment
  • The university will not sponsor candidates for work visas for this position

Position Location

Wooster, Ohio This position reports to the Department Chair of Horticulture and Crop Science and is located on The Ohio State University, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Wooster Campus.

Position Description

The successful candidate will build a recognized and science-based extension program tailored to serve the Ohio grape industry. This individual must demonstrate strong competency in viticulture and commercial grape production issues facing the Ohio grape industry. The position will need to conduct applied viticulture research that serves to advance industry production practices through the extension program.

This position will provide leadership of viticulture extension and applied research projects designed for extension purposes; Responsible for experimental design, development and writing of research and extension proposals to The Ohio Grape Industries Committee (OGIC) and other grant opportunities within the area of viticulture; Overseeing all aspects of Wooster vineyard operations and the programs projects at commercial vineyard operations; Overseeing and assisting with routine laboratory operations and management; Manage staff and students aiding with research and Extension deliverables; Contributing to collaborations within the OSU Grape and Wine team; Publishing Extension resources based on applied research projects, including but not limited to Buckeye Appellation Blog Posts, Fact Sheets, OSU Bulletins, Videos, Webinars; Creating workshops that provide hands-on learning opportunities; Leading Viticulture organization for the annual Ohio Grape + Wine Conference; Providing consultation support and guidance to grape producers; Reporting deliverables to OGIC and other grant agencies.

This position will focus on viticulture extension and applied research for grapes, including wine, table, and juice/processing grapes that support the four external environmental goals of CFAES: Sustainability, One Health, Rural-urban interface and Leadership in the field.

Performance Objectives

  • Build a recognized, science-based extension program that serves the Ohio grape industry and addresses commercial grape production challenges.
  • Conduct applied viticulture research to advance industry production practices and support sustainability, fruit quality, and vineyard efficiency.
  • Oversee Wooster vineyard operations and manage research projects at commercial vineyard sites, ensuring effective use of greenhouse and laboratory resources.
  • Mentor and manage staff and students involved in research and extension deliverables.
  • Collaborate with the OSU Grape and Wine Team, as well as faculty in related units (Food Science & Technology, SENR, FABE, OSU Extension) to strengthen interdisciplinary efforts and program impact.
  • Develop and publish extension resources, including blog posts, fact sheets, bulletins, videos, and webinars, to disseminate research findings and best practices.
  • Organize and lead workshops and hands-on learning opportunities for grape producers and industry stakeholders.
  • Provide consultation and guidance to Ohio grape producers, supporting their adoption of innovative and sustainable practices.
  • Lead viticulture programming for the annual Ohio Grape & Wine Conference and other key industry events.
  • Generate new resources and strategic partnerships within the grape and wine industry to support program sustainability and growth.
  • Enhance the visibility and reputation of HCS and CFAES in Ohios grape and wine industry, contributing to the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of vineyards and wineries.

Required Education

PhD in Horticulture, or related program with a focus in Viticulture required

Required Experience

The individual will be familiar with concepts related to vineyard sustainability, grapevine physiology, grape cultural management, vineyard nutrition, fruit maturation and quality, and other topics relevant to grape production. This individual will also need to be able to understand and perform analytical techniques relevant to vine performance, yield production, and grape quality.

How to Apply

To be considered, please submit your application electronically via Workday. Requisition # 141868

A complete application consists of:

*cover letter

*curriculum vitae

*teaching statements (no more than two pages)

*list of three references combined into a single PDF .

The College

The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) anchors its mission in a simple, yet powerful phrase: We Sustain Life . Faculty, staff, and students alike contribute to this mission in a variety of ways. Our Strategic Alignment outlines the colleges values: Land-Grant Scholarship; Lifespan Learning; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Integrity and Accountability; and Permeable Borders. These values, which align with the universitys Shared Values , shape our goals of our Strategic Alignment. We are committed to scholarship across three mission areas (teaching, research, Extension) with a commitment to serving our state in addition to the country and world. As a land grant, we are part of a cooperative structure that includes key partners all dedicated to integrating research, education, and Extension to improve the food and agricultural sectors, the environment, and the quality of peoples lives. We educate not just undergraduate and graduate students but learners across the lifespan. We work to ensure groundbreaking scientific discoveries are brought out of the laboratory and into the hands of those who can put them to work.

CFAES houses 11 departments/schools with over 20 undergraduate majors and 9 graduate programs , including 3 interdisciplinary programs affiliated with multiple Ohio State colleges. We also administer OSU Extension , which provides robust and relevant programming to Ohioans and beyond in the areas of Agriculture and Natural Resources , 4-H Youth Development , Family and Consumer Sciences , and Community Development . We are one college spanning three campuses: Columbus, CFAES Wooster, and Statewide. Our CFAES Wooster campus includes a large research station and Ohio States only two-year academic unit, Ohio State ATI . The Statewide campus includes 11 research stations and Extension offices in all of Ohios 88 counties. Our At a Glance provides additional information regarding our size, capacity, and impact as a college.

Horticulture and Crop Science

The Department of Horticulture and Crop Science (HCS) is a vibrant and comprehensive academic unit within the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. The department offers two undergraduate majorsHorticulture and Crop Science and Professional Golf Managementalong with a variety of specializations including Agronomy, Agroecology, Controlled Environment Agriculture, Horticulture, Plant Biosciences, and Turfgrass Science. Graduate programs include the Ph.D., M.S. Thesis, and M.S. non-thesis tracks, all designed to provide rigorous training in plant sciences.

HCS is recognized for its multidisciplinary research portfolio, which spans molecular biology, genetics, breeding, metabolism, and ecosystem management. Research programs address major cropping systems in Ohio and support agronomic, specialty crop, floriculture, landscape, and turfgrass industries. Faculty are engaged in both basic and applied research, with strong impacts on growers, industry stakeholders, and the broader scientific community. The departments commitment to innovation is evidenced by its leadership in controlled environment agriculture, urban agriculture, and sustainable practices, as well as its stewardship of key facilities such as the Controlled Environment Agriculture Research Complex and the Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center.

Extension and outreach are core to the HCS mission, with specialists leading programs in soybeans, small grains, corn, emerging crops, weed control, forage systems, floriculture, greenhouse/nursery, turfgrass, vegetable production, fruit and nut trees, urban food systems, and specialty crop management. These programs deliver timely, accessible content to diverse industry stakeholders through workshops, publications, digital media, and direct consultation. HCS faculty are recognized for their leadership in extension, with numerous awards and national recognition for their contributions.

The departments mission is to sustain life and grow the future for Ohio and the world through innovative plant science. HCS strives to be a global leader in translational plant science research and knowledge dissemination, achieved through creative educational programs, scientific discovery, novel technology development, and delivery of solutions to Ohio and beyond. The department fosters a climate of open communication, creative thinking, and collaboration among faculty, staff, and students, with a strong commitment to community values.

The University

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of Americas leading academic health centers. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

Grounded in Ohio State Universitys Shared Values , our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression.

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.

The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing academic excellence. Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty of the highest caliber is a core component of this commitment. The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) has established central resources to focus on offering support to new and prospective faculty and their loved ones. Service offerings include dual career partner consultation, potential employer and/or employment opportunity identification, consultation and resources related to relocation, as well as identifying opportunities to engage on campus and in the surrounding community. While employment opportunities are not guaranteed, resources and consultation are available. More information about dual career and faculty recruitment can be found here .

In addition to being responsive to dual-career opportunities, we strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies. Ohio State is a member of the Michigan, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania & West Virginia HERC.

Located in Ohios capital city, Ohio States Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and vibrant metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here . Beyond its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Wooster Campus, which houses Ohio State ATI.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

As required by Ohio Revised Code section 3345.0216, Ohio State will: educate students by means of free, open and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth; equip students with the opportunity to develop intellectual skills to reach their own, informed conclusions; not require, favor, disfavor or prohibit speech or lawful assembly; create a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, supports individual capacities for growth and tolerates differences in opinion; treat all faculty, staff and students as individuals, hold them to equal standards and provide equality of opportunity with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. If you have any questions about the appropriate disposition code to use, please reach out to Jane E. Douglas for further clarification or instruction.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. Additionally, there may be further requirements specific to the college or unit, which could include drug and health screenings, as well as faculty misconduct checks depending on the rank of the position.

Additional Information: Location: Gourley Hall (0405) Position Type: Regular Scheduled Hours: 40 Shift: Varying Shifts

The Ohio State University believes in diversity in people and ideas. What Ohio State does matters. And how we do it matters. When we are at our best, we make a real difference to people. Our size, breadth, geography, history and standard of excellence position us to drive the future of higher education. We believe that the university should be a place where people can work and learn together in a safe environment, free of violence, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, or intimidation. As such, finalists for any faculty position that carries tenure must sign an authorization and disclosure form, which will allow current or prior employer(s) to share information to the University regarding any findings of employment-related misconduct or disciplinary proceedings against a candidate and/or any pending investigations related to alleged misconduct. Such information shall include findings and pending investigations with respect to sexual harassment, violence, or harassment; research misconduct; financial fraud or misconduct; foreign influence violations, grant misuse or misconduct; and/or any other type of finding or pending investigation relating to a candidates employers policies and rules governing faculty conduct that may reasonably be expected to affect a candidates appointment. If the University becomes aware of any past finding of misconduct or pending investigations that were not disclosed, Ohio State will treat that as a serious omission and reserves the right to rescind an offer or terminate employment.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions .

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.

As required by Ohio Revised Code section 3345.0216 , Ohio State will: educate students by means of free, open and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth; equip students with the opportunity to develop intellectual skills to reach their own, informed conclusions; not require, favor, disfavor or prohibit speech or lawful assembly; create a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, supports individual capacities for growth and tolerates differences in opinion; treat all faculty, staff and students as individuals, hold them to equal standards and provide equality of opportunity with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Job ID: 503172411
Originally Posted on: 12/11/2025

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