Lecturer

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, non-tenure-accruing, Instructional Assistant Professor/Lecturer track faculty position that will be 100% teaching housed in the Agronomy Department within the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida. A successful candidate with a Ph.D. degree would be eligible to use the ‘Instructional Assistant Professor’ working title.

This position will support the teaching mission of our expanding undergraduate program in Plant Science and our graduate programs in Agronomy. Teaching duties will likely focus on four core courses within the undergraduate Plant Science degree: PLS 3004C (Principles of Plant Science, taught spring and summer semesters); a UF Quest 2 General Education course (taught fall and spring semesters); AGR 4512/5444 (Ecophysiology of Crop Production, taught spring semester) and a new undergraduate course that will serve the undergraduate Plant Science degree program and will be taught fall semester. However, these courses may change based on the needs of the teaching program. The title and content of the new course will be determined in coordination with the Plant Science program Director and Agronomy Chair, to enhance the current offerings of the Plant Science curriculum. Courses at UF may have one or more delivery modes and audiences (in person, on-line, hybrid) and the incumbent must be flexible to meet the needs of the academic programs and students they serve. The incumbent may serve as a faculty advisor for the Agronomy MS concentration in Agroecology. The assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.

The successful candidate will engage in scholarly activities related to instruction, including teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses, advising and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, serving on graduate committees, participating in curriculum revision and enhancement, seeking funding for the teaching program, supervising undergraduate and graduate research and creative work, publishing teaching-related scholarship, producing learning tools, and engaging in professional development activities related to teaching and advising. The incumbent is expected to support extra-curricular undergraduate and graduate activities which may include student organizations, academic program related events and conferences. Faculty are encouraged to support and participate in the CALS Honors Program, distance education, and international education.

Background Information

The Agronomy Department is a unit in IFAS at the University of Florida and has diverse teaching, research and extension education programs with 19 faculty members located on the Gainesville campus, 14 faculty located across the state at research and education centers, several courtesy faculty and support personnel. Gainesville is an attractive city of about 100,000 in population located in North Central Florida midway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico with many nearby lakes and rivers. 

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 M.S. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Plant Physiology, Agronomy, Plant Science, Biology, Ecology or a related field is required. Candidates should have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication and interpersonal relationships. Meaningful teaching experience, ideally including experience with distance education is also required. Demonstrated commitment to working with and supporting a varied community of students, either on-line, in person, or both. Candidates must also have a demonstrated commitment to UF core values.

A Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Plant Physiology, Agronomy, Plant Science, Biology, Ecology or a related discipline is preferred (required for use of the ‘Instructional Assistant Professor’ working title), as is advanced graduate level course work in plant physiology, botany, and crop production. Preference will be given to individuals with one or more of the following: (1) experience teaching plant science related courses, (2) online teaching experience, (3) student mentorship, leadership or advising potential, and/or (4) experience in curriculum development.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by January 15, 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 # 533975

Rosalie Koenig

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Agronomy Department

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS)

PO Box 100500

Gainesville, FL 32611-0500

Telephone:                   352-273-3495

Facsimile:                    352-392-1840

Electronic Mail:          rlkoenig@ufl.edu

Application Information

Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF and submit:

• One page cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above
• Curriculum vitae, including teaching experiences and publications
• Statement of Personal Pedagogy/Teaching Statement that describes previous in-person and online teaching and mentoring experience, your personal approach to fostering learning, and a brief description of a new Quest 2 course you would like to develop for UF Agronomy/Plant Sciences (maximum 3-pages).
• Contact information (including email addresses) for three individuals willing to write letters of recommendation
• Unofficial graduate 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 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.