| 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 .
A postdoctoral research associate position is available in Dr. Xin Zhao’s Organic and Sustainable Vegetable Cropping Systems laboratory in the Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of Florida, Gainesville. The postdoc researcher will join multi-disciplinary project teams to lead studies on organic strawberry production, soil anaerobic disinfestation, and integrated nutrient management in watermelon production. The candidate will conduct field and laboratory studies to examine plant health and resilience, crop development and productivity, fruit quality, soil fertility and quality parameters, plant nutritional status, and nutrient uptake and use efficiency. Data analysis and interpretation, presentations at professional meetings, report and manuscript preparation, and assistance with project coordination and outreach are required. This is a two-year position and requires the full commitment to completing the two-year project.
Contact: Dr. Xin Zhao, Horticultural Sciences Department, zxin@ufl.edu
Background Information:
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.
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| Preferred Qualifications: |
General expertise in vegetable production systems, organic agriculture, soil fertility and health assessment, crop nutrition, best management practices, and integrated pest/disease/weed management. Proficiency in the use of JMP and/or R for data analysis in addition to using SAS. Project management training and/or experience.
- Experience in soil physical, chemical, and biological property analysis
- Experience in plant nutrition and plant water relations studies
- Experience in stress physiology studies
- Experience in environmental monitoring using sensors and dataloggers
- Experience in watermelon and strawberry production and fruit quality assessment
- Experience in principal component analysis or other multivariate analysis methods
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| Special Instructions to Applicants: |
Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.
- Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF and submit:
- Cover letter that highlights their qualifications for the system
- Curriculum vitae
- Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 professional references 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.
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