Aso/Full Prof

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that supports and celebrates community at all levels. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. If an accommodation is needed for this position due to a disability, 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 50% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station), 40% extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), and 10% administration, available in the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida.  This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. Duties will include serving as the PI and lead manager for coordination of current and future agricultural nutrient management Best Management Practices (BMP) research at UF/IFAS. Specific duties will include:

• Lead efforts to acquire large-scale interdisciplinary funds to support UF/IFAS BMP research. Funding sources can include state, federal (priority will be given to these), and other sponsors. Funded research will include various aspects of agricultural nutrient management, including the intersection of agricultural management with environmental management, water quality, and/or soil health.
• Duties will also include allocating acquired resources and approving expenditures of research on agricultural nutrient BMP funded by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services-Office of Agricultural Water Policy (FDACS-OAWP) in compliance with UF regulations. Additional duties include organizing faculty meetings about agricultural nutrient management BMP, coordinating scientific review of findings, and liaising with faculty and stakeholders on interpretation of results.
• Collaborate and coordinate communication efforts with the BMP Extension Coordinator regarding the scientific underpinnings of new and updated BMP nutrient recommendations for approval by the FDACS-OAWP and usage by the agricultural community. This will include communication to all levels of stakeholders, including state legislators, environmental agencies, and grower communities. 
• Lead the UF/IFAS Plant Nutrient Oversight Committee (part of the administrative duties) to develop peer reviewed nutrient management science that will inform the approval and distribution of science-based BMP recommendations by FDACS-OAWP.

Promotion will accrue in the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences. The faculty member will actively seek contract and grant funding to support their program. The faculty member will engage in Extension activities within their program area. 

The successful candidate will participate actively in undergraduate and graduate education by chairing and serving on graduate committees, supervising thesis, dissertation and undergraduate research, and publishing research results with students. Research lab space will be provided in the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences. 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 specified in the position description.

Background Information:

The SWES Department is a leader in teaching, research, and extension/outreach programs in management, protection, and monitoring of soil and water resources.  The SWES Department has 37 tenured or tenure-track faculty, 6 non-tenure track lecturers/research faculty, 54 PhD students, 103 MS students, and 114 undergraduate students.  The interdisciplinary nature of SWES programs results in research at multiple (molecular to landscape) scales to manage and protect land and water resources and solve environmental problems.  Teaching faculty are encouraged to participate in extension and research activities that contribute to their continuing education. 

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 (county operated and maintained). 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.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, Agronomy, Horticulture, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, or a closely related discipline 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. 

• Demonstrated leadership in interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong track-record of mentoring graduate students and publishing with graduate students.
• Experience and success working with stakeholders to successfully accomplish shared goals.
• Demonstrated competence at managing large and complex sponsored projects from funding acquisition to successful completion.
• Experience translating and communicating scientific outcomes to real-world application and to action with legislators and other decision makers.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by April 1, 2025.  The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

Employment Conditions

This position is available August 16, 2025, 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:

Please refer to Requisition #534520

Dr. Sarah Strauss

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department

2181 McCarthy Hall A

Gainesville, FL 32611

Telephone:                               239-658-3468

Electronic Mail:                      strauss@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
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 individuals willing to write letters of recommendation

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.