Ast/Aso 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 of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) with 70% research and 30% extension assignment, available at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC), Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) at the University of Florida. Tenure will accrue in the Department of Environmental Horticulture. This assignment may change according to the needs of the unit. 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. Academic rank will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent is expected to develop a nationally and internationally recognized CEA program specializing in specialty crops, such as vegetables, fruits, ornamental nursery crops, and medicinal plants. The ideal candidate will employ innovative methodologies, hydroponics, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology to study and enhance crop physiology and quality in controlled environments. The focus will be on understanding how environmental factors affect crop growth and development, aiming for efficient and sustainable production in protected environments. The candidate should have a strong interest and experience in optimizing production systems, improving resource efficiency, and ensuring the environmental sustainability of CEA for specialty crops production. Additionally, the successful candidate’s program will aim to develop best management practices necessary for the successful cultivation of controlled environment agricultural crops. We seek candidates who will contribute to the research portfolio of both the Center and the UF Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences. This faculty hire will collaborate closely with on-campus faculty on both CEA research and extension initiatives, fostering interdisciplinary projects and contributing to the development of innovative curricula related to controlled environment agriculture and specialty crops. Faculty are expected to work in partnership with intra- and interdepartmental faculty members as well as industry groups to develop a competitive research and extension program.

The successful candidate will provide leadership, training, and support to county faculty commercial growers, and other stakeholders in implementing CEA practices to protect plants. The faculty member is expected to actively engage in extension education by participating in relevant state extension teams. They will be expected to publish in refereed journals, produce extension publications, and obtain significant extramural funding. The successful candidate will participate in undergraduate and graduate education by chairing and serving on graduate committees, supervising graduate and undergraduate research, and publishing research results. The successful candidate will be 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 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 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, horticultural sciences 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 and have a commitment to UF core values .

Postdoctoral experience is desirable.

Applications will be reviewed beginning October 1, 2024 with the position remaining 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 # 532783

Jianjun Chen

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

2725 S. Binion Apopka FL, 32703

(407) 814- 6161                                 

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
• Outline of potential research interests
• Outline of teaching philosophy, experience and interests
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 individuals willing to write letters of recommendation
• Unofficial transcripts showing receipt of the doctoral degree

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.