Res Ast Sctst

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 position that will be 100% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station), available in the Horticultural Sciences Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida.  This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. 

The faculty member will serve as the Assistant Director of the Crop Transformation Center (CTC). Duties will include working closely with the CTC Director to create a community of practice for crop transformation at UF, involving the external advisory board, faculty, students, and staff. They will co-create and implement a strategic business model for the CTC, managing the technical, financial, legal, and administrative aspects with staff support. The faculty member will leverage resources such as public-private partnerships with international and national agencies to enhance the scientific capacity of the CTC. They will seek funding opportunities from public and private donors to support CTC scientific discovery, manage intellectual property, ensure compliance, and oversee monitoring and evaluation to document outputs and impacts. The faculty member will report progress, outputs, and impacts to interested stakeholders.

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.

The Horticultural Sciences Department is a unit within IFAS at the University of Florida and has diverse teaching, research, and extension education programs with 34 faculty in Gainesville and 26 faculty at various Research and Education Centers throughout the state. The Horticultural Sciences Department is currently ranked top 9 in the center for world university rankings.

The Center for Crop Transformation, founded in 2023, addresses the need for rapid development and commercialization of genetically improved crops.  The CTC is directed and led by Dr. Charlie Messina, a professor of predictive breeding specializing in symbiotic AI with over 16 years in the private sector. The center aims to accelerate genetic gain in specialty crops, ultimately improving human and environmental health. Their primary focus is creating citrus varieties that can tolerate or eventually resist citrus greening disease (HLB). The CTC harnesses core capabilities to activate an end-to-end approach to translate these novel ideas into products for Florida farmers and consumers.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in agricultural 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.  Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values. 

Postdoctoral experience is highly desirable.

Demonstrated project management and leadership experience including building collaborations among diverse interdisciplinary scientific teams.

Grant writing and budgeting for scientific discovery.

Multi-lingual to operate in an international context.

Knowledge of financial operations for managing the CTC.

Knowledge of human resources operations for managing the CTC.

Supervision skills for communications and administrative staff.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by January 29, 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 # 534509

Dr. Kay Kelsey

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Horticultural Sciences Department

2550 Hull Road, 1251 Fifield Hall

Gainesville, FL 32611

Telephone:                               352-392-1928

Facsimile:                                352-392-6479

Electronic Mail:                      kathleen.kelsey@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 three 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 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.