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 9-month tenure-accruing position that will be 30% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences), 70% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station), available in the Soil and Water Sciences Department (SWSD), Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida.  This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.  Duties will include developing a nationally and internationally recognized research and teaching program focused on the processes and consequences of water, nutrient, contaminant, and gas transport in soil and the vadose zone. Potential areas of research may include, but are not limited to, theoretical and applied approaches that couple soil physics to hydrologic and biogeochemical cycles (e.g., pollutants, nutrients, and carbon, mineral processes, weathering, the microbiome, the rhizosphere, and/or aboveground productivity and management). Applicants with field-based, modeling, or experimental approaches are encouraged to apply.  The successful candidate will fill a critical area of research in the SWSD and given the range of expertise within the academic unit, will have the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse array of scientists. The successful candidate will actively seek contract and grant funding to support their research program and communication of research results in appropriate peer-reviewed journals and scientific and trade publications as an essential requirement for this position. Tenure will accrue in the SWSD. The faculty member will participate actively in undergraduate education and graduate education by chairing graduate committees, serving on graduate committees, supervising thesis and dissertation research, supervising undergraduate research, and publishing the results with their graduate students.  The faculty member will seek contract and grant funding actively to support their program.

The successful candidate will engage in scholarly activities related to instruction and is encouraged to support and participate in the CALS Honors Program, distance education, and international education. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate level Environmental Soil Physics (SWS4605/5605) and another course depending on their expertise, interests, and departmental needs. Courses may be taught as in-person, online, or hybrid formats. Extensive teaching resources are available through UF Online, CALS Center for Teaching Excellence, CALS Center for Online Learning and Technology, and the Agricultural Education and Communication Department. The successful candidate will also supervise thesis and dissertation research, supervise undergraduate research, serve on graduate committees, and publish the results with their students.  SWSD faculty are also encouraged to contribute to the scholarship of teaching and learning, develop new learning tools and methods, and engage in professional development activities related to teaching and advising.

Following the land-grant mission of IFAS, all faculty are expected to be supportive of and engaged in all three mission areas—Research, Teaching and Extension—regardless of the 70% research 30% teaching assignment of this position.

Background Information:

The SWSD has established itself as a leader in teaching, research, and extension/outreach programs in management and restoration of soil and water resources. It seeks to recruit and retain a diverse and inclusive workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Florida, to maintain the excellence of the University, and to offer our students richly varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning. The interdisciplinary nature of SWSD programs provides students and faculty an opportunity to conduct basic and applied research at multiple (molecular to landscape) scales to solve environmental problems, protect, manage land, and water resources. Details about the SWSD can be found at http://soils.ifas.ufl.edu .

Required:

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Soil Science, with emphasis in modern applications of soil physics 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 IFAS core values of excellence, diversity, global involvement, and accountability. 

Preferred:

Candidates should have the demonstrated ability or potential to develop integrated teaching, research and/or extension programs in the discipline. Extensive training (e.g., post-doctoral experience) in working with interdisciplinary teams and in the use of state-of-the-art tools is highly desirable. Demonstration of teaching skills and experience and teaching scholarship will also be reviewed favorably. 

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by 30 April 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 # 71258

Stefan Gerber or Cheryl Mackowiak

Co-Chairs, Search and Screen Committee

Soil and Water Sciences Department

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611

Telephone:                              352-294-3174 (Gerber), 850-875-7126 (Mackowiak)

Electronic Mail:                      sgerber@ufl.edu, echo13@ufl.edu

Application Information

Individuals wishing to apply should go online to http://apply.interfolio.com/84974 and submit:

o Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above that address research interest, teaching philosophy, and how the applicant aims to contribute to diverse communities.

o Curriculum vitae

o Contact information (including email addresses) for four individuals willing to write letters of recommendation

o 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 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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