The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is committed to creating an environment that affirms diversity across a variety of dimensions, including ability, class, ethnicity/race, gender identity and expression. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. We strongly encourage historically underrepresented groups to apply.

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 Assistant Professor position that will be 60% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 40% extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), located at the Quincy campus of the North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC), Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), at the University of Florida. Tenure will accrue in the Horticultural Sciences Department of the University of Florida. The incumbent will develop an integrated research and extension program in stress tolerance and physiology of new and emerging alternative horticultural crops that includes; citrus, tree fruit, tree nuts, small fruits, and other crops as needed. The successful candidate is expected to develop an internationally recognized program to study plant responses to abiotic (e.g. low and high temperatures, flooding, drought, and saline conditions, etc.) and biotic stresses. The successful candidate will function as part of a team at NFREC and other campuses of the University of Florida cooperating with scientists in horticulture, plant breeding, climate science, entomology, plant pathology, forestry, agronomy, soil science, and related disciplines. Through Extension efforts the successful candidate will meet the specific industry needs of the region. In a team environment, the candidate will train county extension agents in production and culture of alternative horticultural crops and their adaptability to abiotic and biotic stress. Expectations may change in accordance with the needs of the unit and statewide concerns. The incumbent will seek external grant funding and industry contracts to actively support their research and extension program. The successful candidate will participate actively in undergraduate and graduate education by serving as chair and member on graduate student committees, supervising thesis, dissertation, and publishing research results with students.

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 North Florida Research & Education Center (NFREC; http://nfrec.ifas.ufl.edu ) is one of the largest and most diverse off-campus units of UF/IFAS, consisting of campuses in Quincy, Marianna and Live Oak in the eastern Panhandle and Big Bend Region of Florida. The Quincy campus established in 1921 is a 1,021-acre research and education facility located in Gadsden County. The NFREC-Marianna, a 1,288-acre facility, was originally one of the Mobile Units established in 1941 and made its permanent home in Jackson County in 1948. The NFREC-Suwannee Valley (Live Oak) consists of 388 acres, was created by the Florida Legislature in 1947 and began operation on November 1, 1950. The NFREC has 16 faculty members located at Quincy and Marianna that represent nine academic units (agronomy, animal science, entomology, environmental horticulture, forestry, horticulture, plant pathology, soil and water science, and wildlife conservation). Four Regional Specialized Extension Agents (RSA) are located at the NFREC-Suwannee Valley specialized in row crops, rural and agribusiness development, vegetable crops, and water resources, and one RSA is located at Quincy specialized in water resources. Research and Extension programs are collaborative, with a system-based focus on cropping systems, biofuel and medicinal crops, beef/forage production systems, plant breeding systems, specialty crop systems and natural resource management systems. Faculty members commonly use facilities at all three campuses. The NFREC is characterized by a dynamic population of post-doctoral associates, graduate students, scientific, farm, and administrative staff. This diversity of faculty, staff and programs provides a unique setting for transdisciplinary research that ties the NFREC with faculty on the main UF campus, faculty at other Research and Education Centers around the state, as well as other universities across the nation. The NFREC also has a strong presence internationally with many faculty members involved in research, extension and teaching in many countries in South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Required:

An earned doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in horticulture, agronomy, plant sciences or a related field is required. Experience with relevant crops and plant physiology research methods is required. Demonstrated effectiveness in communication and publication of research outcomes for diverse stakeholder groups is desirable. 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 IFAS core values of excellence, diversity, global involvement, and accountability. 

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by 27 March 2021.  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 # 68344

Dr. Joshua H. Freeman

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

NFREC - Quincy

155 Research Rd
Quincy, FL 32351-5677

Phone:                                     (850) 875-7100
Fax:                                         (352) 846-6617

Electronic Mail:                      joshuafr@ufl.edu

Application Information

• Individuals wishing to apply should go online to http://apply.interfolio.com/82286 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

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 Opportunity Institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.

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