About this role
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer of Enology
Position Description: The Department of Plant and Soil Science in the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, Lecturer to begin Early Spring 2027. The position will be based at Texas Tech University’s Fredericksburg location and will play a central role in delivering, coordinating, and further developing undergraduate enology instruction and the Texas Tech Winemaking Certificate Program.
The successful candidate will provide high-quality, practice-oriented instruction in winemaking, wine production, wine analysis, wine microbiology, winery sanitation, sensory evaluation, and related areas of commercial wine production. The position is intended to serve students preparing for careers in the Texas wine industry, current winery professionals seeking additional training, and undergraduate students enrolled in Texas Tech’s Viticulture & Enology curriculum.
This position is especially important to the continued strength of TTU’s Fredericksburg-based V&E program, which combines online instruction, hands-on training, wine laboratory experience, applied research support, and engagement with the Texas grape and wine industry.
Major/Essential Functions: • Teach and coordinate courses in the Texas Tech Winemaking Certificate Program and undergraduate enology curriculum, including courses related to fermentation, post-fermentation practices, winery operations, wine microbiology and sanitation, wine analysis, and sensory evaluation. • Deliver hands-on instruction in the Fredericksburg wine laboratory, including training in commercial wine analysis, cellar practices, sanitation protocols, quality control, blending, stabilization, filtration, bottling, and sensory assessment. • Manage and support the operation of the Fredericksburg wine laboratory, including instructional use, equipment maintenance, laboratory safety, supplies, analytical protocols, and wine analysis associated with teaching, outreach, and applied program activities. • Teach enology-related courses in multiple formats, including in-person, online, hybrid, and distance-delivered courses for students located in Fredericksburg, Lubbock, or enrolled online. • Maintain and strengthen the applied, industry-facing character of the Winemaking Certificate Program, to ensure that course content remains current, practical, and aligned with the needs of Texas wineries. • Develop and offer technical workshops, short courses, and continuing education programs for Texas wine industry professionals, particularly in the Hill Country and other major Texas wine regions. • Collaborate with TTU faculty and staff in viticulture, enology, wine marketing, plant and soil science, and related disciplines to support integrated grape-to-wine teaching, applied research, and outreach. • Support applied enology and grape-to-wine research projects through wine production, wine analysis, sensory evaluation, and interpretation of wine quality outcomes, as appropriate to the position. • Support student recruitment, advising, mentoring, and career preparation for students pursuing winemaking, winery operations, wine quality, and related wine industry careers. • Contribute to program development, curriculum assessment, instructional improvement, and strategic planning for the Viticulture & Enology Program. • Maintain effective relationships with Texas wineries, grape growers, industry organizations, alumni, and other stakeholders. • Participate in departmental, college, and university service appropriate to the appointment. • Job assignments is full-time instruction. • Appointment as Senior Lecturer will normally follow several years in the Lecturer or a similar instructional position.
Preferred Qualifications: • Master’s degree in Enology, Viticulture and Enology, Food Science, Fermentation Science, Chemistry, Horticulture, Plant and Soil Science, or a closely related field. • Demonstrated knowledge of commercial winemaking, winery operations, wine chemistry, wine microbiology, wine analysis, and sensory evaluation. • Experience in teaching, training, mentoring, or communicating technical information to students, industry professionals, or adult learners. • Ability to deliver instruction in multiple formats, including online, hybrid, and hands-on laboratory or winery-based settings. • Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. • Commitment to supporting the educational mission of Texas Tech University and the workforce needs of the Texas wine industry. • Significant professional experience in commercial winemaking, cellar management, wine production management, wine laboratory management, or related winery operations. • Prior teaching experience in higher education, certificate programs, continuing education, extension, or professional training. • Experience developing or managing industry-oriented educational programs. • Practical expertise in wine quality control, wine fault identification, sanitation, sensory evaluation, blending, stabilization, filtration, bottling, and winery safety. • Experience managing or supporting a teaching, research, or commercial wine laboratory, including wine analysis, laboratory safety, equipment maintenance, and quality-control procedures. • Experience contributing to applied research, industry trials, or collaborative grape-to-wine projects. • Familiarity with the Texas wine industry, including warm-climate winemaking challenges, regional grape varieties, Hill Country winery operations, and the needs of small to mid-sized wineries. • Experience working with dynamic learners, including traditional undergraduate students, adult learners, entrepreneurs, cellar workers, winemakers, and prospective winery employees. • Ability to build partnerships with wineries, industry associations, and regional stakeholders.
Special Instructions to Applicants: • Cover letter describing qualifications, teaching experience, winemaking expertise, and interest in the TTU Viticulture & Enology Program. • Curriculum vitae. • Statement of teaching philosophy, with emphasis on hands-on, applied, and industry-oriented instruction • Names and contact information for three professional references • Optional: examples of course materials, workshop materials, or evidence of teaching effectiveness.
Safety Information: Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.
Pay Statement: Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan.
EEO Statement: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.
About the College: Davis College includes the departments of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Agricultural Education and Communications, Animal and Food Sciences, Landscape Architecture, Natural Resources Management, Plant and Soil Science, and Veterinary Sciences along with multiple research centers and institutes. The College has over 100 tenure-track faculty, 2747 undergraduate and 519 graduate students, numerous other staff employees, and generated approximately $16 million in extramural research funding.
About the Department/School/Area: The PSS Department is a comprehensive academic unit conducting research and offering coursework and programs in several areas of plant and soil sciences. There are 36 full-time faculty members and a student body consisting of approximately 180 undergraduate and 140 graduate students. B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. level degrees are offered in Plant and Soil Science. Additionally, distance education courses and four certificate programs are offered. The department is research-intensive, while fostering strong teaching expectations and commitments. Students in the department are educated to meet the challenge of using soil, water, and plant resources for sustainable production and environmental quality.
About the University: Founded in 1923, Texas Tech University began with a mission to serve the needs of West Texas, but its impact has always reached far beyond. Today, Texas Tech, located in Lubbock (pop. 300,000+), is home to a vibrant community of more than 42,000 students.Texas Tech's 1,800-acre campus showcases Spanish Renaissance architecture and is home to one of the country's largest public art collections. Its 13 colleges include a prestigious School of Law and a distinguished School of Veterinary Medicine. These programs equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their respective fields. Built on the values of West Texas — hard work, grit and authenticity — the university graduates students who are deeply engaged in service to their communities and well-positioned to succeed in the world. Texas Tech is committed to achieving research and scholarly accomplishments that compare favorably to the member institutions of the Association of American Universities (AAU). For more than 100 years, Texas Tech has been a premier destination for those seeking a world-class education and a unique, personalized experience as a member of the Red Raider family.
Faculty Qualifications: • Graduate degree in the teaching discipline or a closely aligned field. • Ability to teach effectively.