Extension Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Description
This is a 12-month professional-track (non-tenure) position (80% Extension and 20% research) in the Division of Food, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences, with a joint appointment in the Division of Plant Science and Technology. Both units are in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. The position, which is part of the Grape and Wine Institute (gwi.missouri.edu), is housed on the University of Missouri Columbia campus and is responsible for managing the fermentation lab including its day-to-day operation and personnel management to meet the needs of stakeholders.
Extension Responsibilities: This position will serve as Missouri's Extension leader in enology, partnering with the Missouri Wine and Grape Board to advance the state's wine industry through research-based education and technical support. The successful candidate will develop a nationally recognized Extension education and outreach program in enology appropriate for Missouri and other Midwestern states. The position will provide statewide program leadership that assists, supports, and strengthens the work of other state specialists, regional extension specialists, and private industry to facilitate technology transfer and adoption of winery best practices. The successful candidate should generate and disseminate enology information via all appropriate venues including workshops, short courses, and interactions with private industry personnel. Materials will include both hard copy and electronic publications, websites, and social media.
Research Responsibilities: The position focuses on advancing applied research in enology to support the Missouri wine industry as well as the broader national and global winemaking community. The successful candidate will lead research initiatives, collaborate with industry partners, and contribute to innovation in the science and technology of winemaking. Publications in refereed journals and presentations at professional meetings are expected. The incumbent is expected to attract extra- and intramural funding to support Extension and research programs.
The successful candidate will work as part of a collaborative team of faculty in areas that include enology, food science, nutrition, viticulture, plant sciences and others. The successful candidate must work closely with faculty and staff in the Grape and Wine Institute, across CAFNR divisions, other MU departments, and with cooperating universities. This position interacts with the Missouri Wine and Grape Board, the Missouri Grape Growers Association, Missouri Vintners Association , and all members of the Missouri wine and grape industries. The incumbent is expected to serve the divisions, CAFNR, MU, and professional societies as appropriate.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: A Ph.D. degree in food science, enology, or related fields by the time of application.
Candidates will be evaluated on: Training and/or experience in applied research. Prior experience in extension program development and delivery and in working with the grape and wine industry. Evidence of success in extramural grant support. Effective oral and written communications skills.
Application Materials
Screening will begin April 15, 2026 but applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Applicants should submit: a letter of interest, current curriculum vita, research and extension philosophy, and evaluations if any, names and contact information of three professional references, and educational transcripts via: http://hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job/academic , Job ID 59165.
Specific inquiries regarding this position may be directed to the search committee chair, Professor Mengshi Lin, linme@missouri.edu .
Other Information
University of Missouri, Columbia Campus: The University of Missouri, Columbia (Mizzou) is the flagship campus of the University of Missouri System and was established in 1839 as the first public university west of the Mississippi. Mizzou is one of the nation's top-tier Research 1 (R1) universities and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) . University of Missouri is a nationally competitive, global university and Missouri's largest public research university. Mizzou is one of only five universities nationwide that offers law, medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture, engineering and a nuclear research reactor on one campus. The Divisions of Food, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences (FNES) and of Plant Science and Technology at the University of Missouri, Columbia have a unique position combining the strengths of faculty and infrastructure from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR), the School of Medicine , and the new NextGen Precision Health Institute . The candidate will play a key role in fostering research collaboration between Nutrition and Exercise Physiology , Food Science and Plant Science .
Columbia, Missouri: Columbia is consistently ranked among the top small cities to live in America. A vibrant university town located midway between St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia offers a low cost of living, is home to nationally renowned public schools, higher education, and excellent health care. University of Missouri Health Care (UMHC) is an academic health care system operated by the University of Missouri System. UMHC includes six hospitals and offers more than 50 primary and specialty clinics. Columbia has easy access to major international airports from Columbia, St. Louis and Kansas City.
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits .
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer .
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