| Job Description: |
We are seeking applications to fill a postdoctoral research associate position with UF/IFAS located off campus at the Mid Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) near Orlando, Florida. This is an exciting opportunity to pursue applied and basic research relating to weed biology and management in ornamental crops. This position will be an initial 18 month appointment with a possible extension, working with MREC faculty coordinating and conducting research on:
- Growth, reproduction, and germination requirements for common and emerging weed species important in Florida container nurseries
- Use of plant growth regulators and alternative strategies for weed and labor management in container nurseries and landscapes
- Development of alternative and non-chemical methods of weed control by altering production practices and cultural management strategies.
- Assessment of herbicide efficacy, leaching, and fate in container nurseries
- Growth response of weeds to differing soilless substrate compositions, fertilization, and irrigation management practices
- Screening preemergence herbicides and ornamentals for safety and efficacy to develop more effective preemergence herbicide rotations for nursery growers
- Determining ornamental crop response to weed management strategies and their growth and resource utilization when grown in competition with weed species
Specific operational tasks for the position will involve but are not limited to:
- Plan, design, manage, and conduct controlled environment experiments to investigate weed physiology and horticultural production practices.
- Collect, manage, analyze and interpret data from the experiments, and produce publications and reports synthesizing research results in the context of relevant literature.
- Coordinate undergraduate students and interns assisting in research projects
MREC is located in the Orlando metropolitan area, northwest Orange county and 15 miles from a vibrant, multi-cultural downtown and right next to Lake Apopka, one of Florida’s largest and encompassing the world famous North Shore wildlife refuge. Housing is affordable and widely available. Benefits include health and dental, and 130.5 hours of annual leave.
Questions regarding the position should be emailed to Dr. Chris Marble (marblesc@ufl.edu).
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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| Required Qualifications: |
A Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) degree in weed science, horticulture, plant biology, crop science, agronomy, forestry, or a related discipline of plant science with a focus on horticultural/plant production is required. Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system. Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.
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| Preferred: |
A strong record of course work and independent research in subjects such as weed science, container production, pest management, controlled environments, and crop and soil management is desirable. Abilities and skills in statistical analyses, data management and visualization, and scientific writing is desirable.
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