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Candidates for this rank shall hold the highest degree appropriate to their field. A candidate shall be expected to demonstrate successful experience pertinent to the position they are being recommended and have demonstrated qualities relevant to the goals of the academic unit in which they will be employed.

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 12-month tenure-accruing position that will be 80% Research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 20% Extension (UF/IFAS), at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. Tenure will accrue in the Department of Horticultural Sciences.

The successful candidate will develop an extramurally funded, nationally-recognized research and extension program emphasizing breeding of specialty and ornamental crops.  The program will use both traditional and advanced methods for improving quality traits, abiotic and biotic stress (disease/insect) resistance and improving aesthetic quality of crops through consumer-friendly precision breeding and/or other similar genetic techniques.  The program will focus on developing specialty crops that can be grown in greenhouse or other types of protected culture.  As appropriate, the incumbent may also work on fruit crops as well.  This faculty member will integrate into the existing genetic program emphasizing precision breeding and environmental crop tissue and cell culture programs and be expected to work in partnership with other inter- and intradepartmental faculty members as well as lead industry groups to develop a competitive research program.  The incumbent is expected to collaborate with horticulturists, entomologists, plant pathologists, geneticists and plant breeders, to develop horticulturally desirable end-products for consumers.

The incumbent will also be expected to obtain extramurally funding to support the breeding program and graduate students. This faculty member will participate in UF/IFAS Extension programming through the development and teaching of extension materials for outreach to Florida stakeholders.  The faculty member is expected to publish research and extension results in national and international refereed and non-refereed journals.

Tenure will accrue in the Department of Horticultural Sciences.  The successful candidate will participate actively in graduate education by chairing and serving on graduate committees, supervising thesis and dissertation research, and publishing research results with students.  The faculty member will actively seek contract and grant funding to support his/her program. Involvement in national and international professional societies is expected.  

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 UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) in Apopka, Florida is one of 12 University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Research and Education Centers. Located in the heart of Florida (just north or Orlando), the MREC is a center for research, teaching, and extension programs.  Originally established as the Central Florida Research & Education Center (CFREC) in the fall of 1986 by administratively combining research centers at Apopka, Leesburg, and Sanford, a new research and education facility was constructed on land next to the old Apopka center in 2005. Today, UF/IFAS MREC serves a large ornamental, nursery and agricultural industry which has historically cooperated with the Center to develop applied research. MREC’s unique 218-acre facility includes two controlled environment facilities, over 130,000 square feet of greenhouses, 20,000 square feet of laboratories, two instructional pest management facilities, and a graduate student dormitory.

The Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of Florida has a variety of research, teaching, and extension programs located at the Gainesville campus and across the state at research and education centers. Program focus areas within the department include: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry; Plant Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology; Crop Production and Management; Postharvest Biology and Technology; Organic and Sustainable Horticulture; and Weed Science. The Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) has strong programs in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology and Plant Breeding and Genetics, as well as expertise in plant biochemistry, molecular genetics, and genomics. Emphasis is placed on the developing cultivars adapted to subtropical climates.

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.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

This position requires a Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Genetics, Plant Breeding, Plant Biology, Horticultural Science or a closely-related field. The candidate is expected to be knowledgeable of molecular and traditional plant breeding techniques and new cultivar development. Additionally, the candidate must have a strong record of publishing in refereed journals. 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. 

Postdoctoral experience is desirable.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by September 5, 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 # 536523

Dr. Jianjun Chen

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Mid-Florida REC

2725 Binion Rd.
Apopka, FL 32703-8504

Phone:                                    (407) 884-2034
Fax:                                        (407) 814-6186

Electronic Mail:                      jjchen@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
• 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 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.