The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is committed to creating an environment of inclusive excellence that affirms diversity across a variety of dimensions, including ability, class, ethnicity/race, gender identity and expression. Inclusive excellence is the active process of including and respecting everyone as we strive for excellence and equitable outcomes in all we do at the University of Florida. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. We strongly encourage historically underrepresented groups to apply.
If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF .
This is a 9-month tenure-accruing position that will be 20% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences) and 80% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station), available in the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma, Florida with the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. The successful candidate will develop a nationally recognized tomato genetics program that translates basic discoveries into breeding applications in close collaboration with the tomato breeding program at GCREC. Areas of research will include gene discovery, modification and selection through next-generation genomics and genetic engineering methods. The faculty member will also actively collaborate with an interdisciplinary statewide team of other research and extension personnel that include horticulturalists, plant pathologists, entomologists, nematologists, weed scientists, and county extension agents whose goal is to enhance and sustain the tomato industry in Florida.
The successful candidate will engage in scholarly activities related to instruction, including teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses, advising and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, participating in curriculum revision and enhancement, seeking funding for the teaching program, supervising undergraduate and graduate research and creative work, publishing teaching-related scholarship, producing learning tools, and engaging in professional development activities related to teaching and advising. Specifically, the faculty member is expected to become an active member of the Plant Breeding Graduate Program in instructional and advising capacities. Teaching faculty are encouraged to support and participate in the CALS Honors Program, distance education, and international education.
Tenure will accrue in the Department of Horticultural Sciences. The faculty member will seek contract and grant funding actively to support their program. The faculty member will engage in Extension activities in their program area. Because of the IFAS land-grant mission, all faculty are expected to be supportive of and engaged in all three mission areas—Research, Teaching and Extension—regardless of the assignment split specified in the position description.
Employment Conditions
For full consideration submit applications by March 1, 2023. This position is available May 1, 2023 and will be filled as soon thereafter as an acceptable applicant is available. Compensation is commensurate with the education, experience, and qualifications of the selected applicant.
Nominations
Nominations are welcome. Nominations need to include the complete name and address of the nominee. This information should be sent to:
Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF and submit:
Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above
Curriculum vitae
Contact information (including email addresses) for three individuals willing to write letters of recommendation
Statement indicating how you will contribute to a culture of workplace diversity and inclusivity
Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws.
The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.
Qualifications
Required:
A doctorate degree (foreign equivalent acceptable) in plant genetics or a closely related discipline is required. Candidates must also have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, interpersonal relationships, and procurement of extramural funding. Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system. Candidates must also have a commitment to the UF/IFAS core values of excellence, diversity, global involvement, and accountability.
Preferred:
Postdoctoral research experience, teaching at the undergraduate and/or or graduate level, and mentoring experience are desirable. Demonstrated skills in translating basic discoveries to applications in plant breeding are also highly preferred.
