Assistant Professor of Agricultural Water Management

Apply now Job no: 534238
Work type: Tenure-Track Faculty
Location: Palm Beach
Categories: Biology/Life Science, Agricultural Sciences
Department:60740000 - AG-EREC-BELLE GLADE

Classification Title:

Ast Prof

Job Description:

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. 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 60% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 40% extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), available at the Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) within the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Tenure will accrue in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. The incumbent is expected to develop a program with a major focus on water resources and water quality in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) and adjacent areas in south Florida. The EAA and adjacent areas have organic, sandy, and transitional soils and comprise one of the nation’s largest suppliers of winter vegetables, while also boasting the largest sugarcane and sweet corn production in the country and significant rice acreage. The incumbent will develop a nationally recognized extramurally funded research and extension program focused on efficient irrigation and drainage systems balancing water resources, water quality and agricultural production with local and global applications in the context of complex hydrological systems and climate change. The candidate is expected to provide research and outreach leadership to 1) further hydrologic knowledge of agricultural systems such as irrigation, subsurface drainage and water table management using the latest technologies, innovations, artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning modeling and data science applications; 2) develop, test, and evaluate soil and water management practices that provide erosion and sediment control, and 3) reduce and mitigate the impact of agricultural water management decisions and other production practices on phosphorus nutrient transport as part of an established comprehensive Best Management Practices (BMP) program in the EAA.

This is an opportunity to work as part of an interdisciplinary research and extension team at the EREC, while serving as a faculty member in the University of Florida Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering with statewide and campus-based colleagues. The incumbent is expected to work with and train county and regional extension faculty and develop an extension program to meet water related industry needs. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.

The faculty member will actively participate in graduate education by chairing and serving on graduate committees, supervising graduate and undergraduate research, and publishing research results with students. Faculty are encouraged to participate in professional development activities related to teaching and advising and may teach courses and seminars. 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.

Background Information

The Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) is an 800-acre facility located in Belle Glade within the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), near the southern edge of Lake Okeechobee in western Palm Beach County. The EAA is a dynamic, agriculturally diverse region with major production of sugarcane, rice, commercial sod, and winter vegetables (sweet corn, leafy and leafy green vegetables, green beans, celery, and radish). The EREC currently has 10 faculty members that represent Agronomy, Entomology and Nematology, Horticultural Sciences, Plant Pathology, and Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Departments. Regional Extension Agents specializing in sugarcane, rice, sod, and fresh market vegetables are located at the EREC and other offices in the EAA. Approximately 80 additional personnel and students support faculty research and extension programs. The EREC facilities include offices, laboratories, greenhouses, 700-acre research farm, and residential dormitories and housing for graduate students and visiting scientists.

Belle Glade is located west of the metropolitan West Palm Beach area, a region with a population of 1.5 million. The area is supported by an excellent subtropical climate, exceptional Atlantic coast beaches, and the cultural advantages of a medium-sized city, including year-round outdoor recreational activities, cultural events, and professional sporting venues.

The University of Florida is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than 56,000 students.  UF is a member of The Association of American Universities.  The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Florida Sea Grant program, and encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments and schools, 12 Research and Educational Centers (REC) located throughout the state, 6 Research sites/demonstration units administered by RECs or academic departments, and Florida Cooperative Extension Service offices in all 67 counties (counties operate and maintain). The School of Natural Resources and Environment is an interdisciplinary unit housed in IFAS and managed by several colleges on campus.  UF/IFAS employs nearly 4,500 people, which includes approximately 990 salaried faculty and 1,400 permanent support personnel located in Gainesville and throughout the state. IFAS, one of the nation’s largest agricultural and natural resources research and education organizations, is administered by a Vice President and four deans: the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Dean for Extension and Director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the Dean for Research and Director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine.  UF/IFAS also engages in cooperative work with Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Minimum Requirements:
  • A doctorate degree (foreign equivalent acceptable) in agricultural engineering, biological engineering, water resources, soil, water and ecosystem sciences, environmental engineering, or a closely related discipline at the time of hire is required.
  • Candidates should 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 UF core values
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience in applied agricultural water management research and outreach.
  • Knowledge in watershed hydrology, soil science, GIS, and hydrological and/or nutrient/contaminant fate and transport modeling.
  • Knowledge in water management strategies and practices during periods of extreme weather events such as drought and floods.
  • Data science expertise/skills.
  • Expertise in AI machine learning modeling.
Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by February 11, 2025. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

Nominations

Nominations are welcome.  Nominations need to include the complete name and address of the nominee. This information should be sent to:

Please refer to Requisition # 534238

Dr. Calvin Odero

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Everglades Research and Education Center

3200 E Palm Beach Road

Belle Glade, FL 33430

Phone: (561) 993-1500

Fax: (561) 993-1582

Electronic Mail: dcodero@ufl.edu

Application Information

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.
    • Research statement including previous and planned research (up to 2 pages).
    • Extension statement (up to 1 page).
    • Curriculum vitae.
    • Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 individuals willing to write letters of recommendation.
    • Unofficial transcripts.

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 Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information, and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.

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.

Health Assessment Required: No

 

Advertised: Eastern Standard Time
Applications close:

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