Ast Prof

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 30% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 70% extension (UF/IFAS Extension), available at the Environmental Horticulture Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. The research program must be developed to meet the needs of the ornamental horticulture industry in cooperation with other faculty in the Environmental Horticulture Department, located at the main campus in Gainesville and at other locations throughout the state. Duties include providing innovative leadership and expertise in the production of ornamental and garden plants. This program will bridge basic plant science with applied research related to plant propagation and nursery production. The selected candidate will establish a competitive, externally funded research program focused on the needs of the nursery and landscape industries. This may include (but is not limited to) the identification of underused native/Florida Friendly plant species, cultivar evaluation, the development of more sustainable and cost-efficient production methods, and the development marketing/decision-making tools Florida nursery producers. The selected candidate will engage in extension activities which directly translate their research findings into impactful knowledge gain and behavior change. The successful candidate will also participate actively in graduate education by chairing and serving on graduate committees, supervising thesis, dissertation and undergraduate research, and publishing research results with students. Faculty are encouraged to participate in professional development activities related to research, extension, and advising.

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 University of Florida Environmental Horticulture Department is located in Gainesville, with office, laboratory, greenhouse, teaching, and field plot facilities. Additional field and greenhouse facilities are located at the Plant Science Research & Education Unit at Citra, FL. Currently, there are 17 faculty members located in Gainesville, with 13 other faculty located at various Research & Education Centers around the state of Florida.

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

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in plant science, plant genetics, plant breeding, horticulture, or a closely related discipline is required at time of hire. Candidates should have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication and interpersonal relationships. Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system. Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values of excellence, discovery & innovation, inclusion, freedom & civility, community, and stewardship

Experience in, and knowledge of, the production, cultivation, and systematics of nursery/landscape plants is highly desirable. Commercial experience in horticulture is also preferred.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by December 4, 2023.  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 include “ENH – Nursery Production Position” in the byline.

Dr. Andrew Koeser

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Environmental Horticulture Department

Gulf Coast Research and Education Center

14625 County Road 672

Wimauma, FL 33598

Electronic Mail:          akoeser@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 and phone number) for 3 references willing to discuss your application
• 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 Opportunity Institution. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.