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Candidates for this rank shall hold the highest degree appropriate to their field. A candidate shall be expected to demonstrate successful experience pertinent to the position they are being recommended and have demonstrated qualities relevant to the goals of the academic unit in which they will be employed.

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% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences) and 70% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station), available in the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida.  This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.  Tenure will accrue in the Department of Environmental Horticulture. The faculty member will seek contract and grant funding actively to support their program.  The faculty member will engage in Extension activities in their program area.  

Expected Duties

This position aims to develop a nationally recognized, extramurally funded research and teaching program in urban horticulture that will advance urban horticulture systems by working in collaboration with faculty, graduate students, government agencies, industry representatives, botanical gardens, and non-profit organizations in Florida. These systems aim to enhance food security and respond to the impacts of environmental, socioeconomic, and other challenges.

Utilizing their expertise, collegiality, and stakeholder-focused approach, the successful candidate will demonstrate leadership and support collaborative efforts to strengthen horticultural food production systems that are scaled appropriately and improve the quality of life in urban environments and communities. The successful candidate is expected to develop

sustainable alternatives to current industry production practices with a focus on using management practices that will enhance the horticulture industry by improving productivity, profitability, and stewardship of natural resources.

Programmatic goals within this process could include: 1) identification and evaluation of crops and cultivars best suited to the environmental conditions of urban environments; 2) investigating production system diversification, including the incorporation of perennial crops and new cropping system designs that incorporate sustainable intensification principles; 3) investigating water reuse and conservation practices specific to urban agricultural operations, promoting effective water management; 4) developing production practices and techniques to enhance the nutritional value of food as medicine in urban production systems; 5) evaluating environmental and growth impacts of enhanced efficiency fertilizers, compost, and other organic production techniques on specialty crops in Florida; 6) identifying production approaches and best management practices suitable for urban farms to improve crop production system efficiency, economic opportunity, and resilience.

The successful candidate will also be expected to develop a teaching program that enhances urban food production and urban horticultural practices. The candidate would be expected to develop courses pertaining to urban agriculture production, horticultural cropping systems, and support teaching needs of the unit by teaching laboratory courses in plant science as needed by MREC undergraduate and graduate students. 

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, 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.  Faculty are encouraged to support and participate in the CALS Honors Program, distance education, and international education.

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.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

An earned doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in horticulture or plant science, agronomy or soil science, sustainable agriculture, agroecology or a closely related discipline is required.  Broad understanding and experience in ecologically based urban horticulture is required, along with having the potential for excellence in teaching. 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. 

Preference will be given to candidates familiar with the economic, environmental, and social sustainability drivers of urban, space-intensive production systems and their contributions to individual and community well-being and resilience. This includes adaptation to stress, economic-market forces, and provision of agroecosystem services. Candidates who can bridge horticultural food production with other sciences to strengthen urban food systems and communities are especially desired. Experience in technology, agricultural engineering, or development of decision support tools are highly desirable.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by June 16, 2025 .  The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

Employment Conditions

This position is available August 1, 2025, and will be filled as soon thereafter as an acceptable applicant is available.  Compensation is commensurate with the education, experience, and qualifications of the selected applicant.

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 # 535776

Dr. Chris Marble

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

2725 Binion Road

Apopka, FL 32703

Telephone:                              (407) 410-6960

Electronic Mail:                      marblesc@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 3 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 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.