Plant Science Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Temporary Faculty Pool - Lecturer in Plant Science

Department Overview [Department Website]:

The Department of Plant Science at California State University, Fresno is located in the nation's most productive agricultural valley. Our graduates acquire a sound academic background that is deeply rooted in field-based experience in the broad array of disciplines within Plant Science. These include pomology, olericulture, agronomy, environmental horticulture, soils, irrigation, economic entomology, plant pathology, weed science, and mechanized agriculture.  Our faculty hold advanced degrees in these disciplines, and regularly integrate this knowledge directly in the field and laboratories. The university's 1000 acre agricultural  laboratory is home to cutting-edge horticultural and agronomic practices, using the latest innovations in crop production, including  mechanization, irrigation, soil fertility, propagation, and pest management. Our graduates are sought after by many of the world's leading agricultural industries. 

Position Summary [Plant Science Catalog]:

We are interested in candidates who are qualified to teach course(s) and/or labs in the following:

• General Plant Science. Crop Science, Fruit Science, Ornamental Horticulture, Plant Health, Irrigation, Soils, Crop Nutrition, Plant Propagation, Mechanized Agriculture, or other classes that may be identified as needed to fulfill educational goals of current students.

Instructor Responsibility: Temporary faculty members are responsible for adherence to and implementation of university and system-wide policies as directed per Academic Policy Manual 306, paragraph 2. Instructors are responsible for the preparation, delivery, conducting, proctoring, and grading (as appropriate) lectures, office hours, homework assignments, quizzes, class projects, and midterm and final exams. All classes must be offered and meet as scheduled throughout the entire semester, in the mode assigned and listed in the schedule of classes (i.e. asynchronous, synchronous, in-person, or hybrid).

Conditional Appointment

Please be advised that an appointment is contingent upon budget and enrollment considerations and subject to order of assignment provisions in the collective bargaining agreement between California State University and California Faculty Association. These provisions state the "Order of Work," or the order in which available courses must be assigned to faculty, starting with tenure line faculty and ending with new lecturer appointees.

Appointees will be required to demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States. California State University, Fresno does not sponsor Temporary Faculty for work visas.

Compensation - Commensurate by qualifications and experience within salary range placement. The salary ranges are established by the CSU Salary Schedule (Class Code = 2358 for Academic Year Lecturers).

The salary range for Temporary Faculty with a Master's degree is $5,507-6,677 per a month when teaching full time (15 WTUs). Starting salaries are usually at or near the minimum of the range. Actual monthly salary will be adjusted based on the number of WTUs assigned per an academic term.

Anticipated Semester

The temporary faculty pool is continuously open, and positions are filled as needed, based on student enrollment and funding. This is a pool of part-time lecturers for the department to draw on as necessary. The number of positions varies from semester to semester, depending on the needs of the Department. Appointments from the pool are temporary and often made just prior to the start of the academic term. Applicants may need to be available to begin teaching on short notice. The pool will remain in place for two academic terms; those interested in remaining in the pool beyond that time must reapply.

• Fall 2026: August 19, 2026 - December 22, 2026;
• Spring 2027: January 15, 2027 - May 26, 2027

Required Qualifications:

• Education (from an accredited institution or foreign equivalent.): M.S. in Plant Science or related discipline. 
• Evidence of successful teaching experience is required. 

Experience:  

1. Demonstrated commitment to working effectively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
2. Demonstrated commitment to excellence built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Ph.D. in Plant Science or related discipline.
2. A commitment to teaching excellence at the undergraduate level, which may be exhibited through prior teaching experiences and teaching evaluations or other evidence.  
3. Successful teaching experience at the undergraduate level.

Application Procedures:

A review of applications continues on a rolling basis as teaching positions open. Review may begin as early June 15th, 2026 for a Fall 2026 assignment.

• Deadline is July 1st, 2026 to be fully considered for Fall 2025 hiring.
• Projected deadline is October 31, 2026 to be fully considered for Spring 2027 hiring.
• Projected Job Announcement for 2026-2027 Academic Year closing date is March 1, 2027.

Complete an online application at https://careers.fresnostate.edu, search for the appropriate Job Announcement, Create an Applicant Profile, or Login if you have already have an Applicant Profile, and attach the following materials:

1. Cover letter addressing qualifications and experience, and list of courses you are interested and qualified in teaching,
2. Curriculum vitae,
3. Names and contact information of at least three professional references are a part of the online application. Do not submit or attach letters. If considered for hire, the committee will request current letters of recommendation.
4. Copies of unofficial transcripts from all relevant educational programs.

For inquiries contact Dr. Jacob Wenger, Chair, E-mail: jawenger@mail.fresnostate.edu

The position advertised will remain open until filled. Interviews may follow. Qualified applicants not hired at this time will remain in this pool for future consideration.

About the Campus

California State University, Fresno, is a forward-looking and diverse institution located in California's Central Valley, known for its agriculture, reasonable housing costs, cultural diversity, and proximity to Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada.

The Fresno State campus sits in the midst of the San Joaquin Valley, a valley rich in the traditions and representation of Native American peoples and cultures. We are grateful to be in the traditional homelands of the Yokuts and Mono peoples, whose diverse tribal communities share stewardship over this land.

The campus is ranked 36th in the nation by Washington Monthly's 2022 National University Rankings, and ranked 25th in the nation in MONEY Magazines 50 Best Public Colleges. The campus is classified as an R2 "Doctoral Universities - High research activities" university per Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Fresno State's Principles of Community

These Principles were developed collaboratively by faculty, staff, and administrators. They exemplify what we aspire to be. Find out more about our Principles of Community here. 

California State University, Fresno is an engaged University. We focus on broadening students' intellectual horizons, fostering lifelong learning skills, developing the leaders of tomorrow, promoting community involvement, and instilling an appreciation of world cultures. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. Members of the University community are expected to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. 

Our Students

California State University, Fresno is committed to serving our students with a focus on inclusion. 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.

Other Campus Information

In compliance with the Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, California State University, Fresno has made crime-reporting statistics available to applicants, students, and employees online at https://adminfinance.fresnostate.edu/clery/index.html. Print copies are available by request from the Campus Police Department.

A background check (including criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily for this position. An offer of employment may be withdrawn or employment may be terminated based upon the results of the background investigation.

The person holding this position is considered a "limited reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

California State University, Fresno is a tobacco-free, smoke-free, and vapor-free campus. For more information, please click http://fresnostate.edu/adminserv/smokefree/index.html

California State University, Fresno is committed to maintaining and implementing employment policies and procedures in compliance with applicable state and federal equal employment opportunity laws and regulations. Executive Orders 1096 and 1097 prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the basis of a protected status: race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex (including gender identity), sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition and covered veteran status. Fresno State's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring, and retention. We are proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, it is strongly recommended that all employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications.  Questions regarding COVID19 may be sent to hr@csufresno.edu. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/.

Out of State Employment

Per CSU-wide policy (HR2021-04), all faculty who will begin initial employment (or return from a 12-month break in service) on or after January 1, 2022 are required to perform their work from within the State of California. Faculty hired prior to January 1, 2022 must be available to perform work in the State of California if their assignment is in-person.

Education Code 89521 Requirements:

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended.  Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.