Assistant Professor in Agricultural Operations Management (77831)

Location:
Gainesville, FL
Open Date:
Jul 20, 2021
Description:

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 position with a 40% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 60% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences) appointment. Tenure will accrue in Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE).

 

The Agricultural Operations Management (AOM) program gives students managerial, quantitative, statistical, and technical hands-on training in applications including agricultural production; food supply chains; sales, procurement, and distribution; and energy and environmental systems.  The successful candidate will work with the ABE department to ensure that the AOM program continues to provide competent and successful graduates meeting workforce needs. Competitive candidates will demonstrate knowledge and experience appropriate to teach AOM courses related to construction and operations management. Additional experience in the areas of sustainable systems as related to energy, climate, agricultural production, and food systems are desirable. Teaching AOM curriculum involves hands-on courses that expose students to the latest tools and skills they will need to be successful in their professional careers. The successful candidate will be expected to integrate laboratory and experiential learning opportunities into their courses. The ABE AOM program is built on a strong teaching foundation and attracts students from many other departments.

 

Duties will include (1) teaching undergraduate courses in the Agricultural Operations Management (AOM) program that are part of the core curriculum and other specialized courses as needed for student and program continued growth; (2) advising and mentoring of undergraduate students; (3) planning and conducting high quality, externally funded and productive research in the area of candidate’s research expertise; and (4) contributing to the ABE Department’s overall goals in scholarship and research. Scholarly publications in refereed journals will be expected.

 

The successful candidate will be expected to develop a funded research program in their area of expertise and to mentor graduate students. Current research initiatives in ABE include circularity in food and agricultural systems, applications of artificial intelligence, local and regional food markets, and smart agriculture. 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, and commit to IFAS core values of excellence, diversity, global involvement, and accountability. The successful candidate will teach at least three courses each year. The research and teaching FTE assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.

 

Background Information

The Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department is a unit in the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) at the University of Florida and has diverse teaching, research and extension education programs. The ABE Department is comprised of 32 faculty members located on the Gainesville campus, 5 faculty located across the state at research and education centers, and 20 support personnel (see website http://abe.ufl.edu, and consistently ranks in the top 3 Agricultural and Biological Engineering graduate programs nationwide. Instilling excellence in research, leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship are ABE's highest priorities. At ABE, the candidate will join a dynamic, cross-disciplinary group of researchers, and will enjoy broad opportunities for collaborations with existing teams, including those studying agricultural production, robotics, biosensors, biofuels, coupled natural and human ecosystems, nanotechnology and nanomaterials, climate variability and change, crop modeling, hydrology and water quality.

Qualifications:

Required:

• A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Agricultural and Biological Engineering or closely related degree in applied and technology-based agricultural sciences.

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:

• Demonstrated skills and experience directly related to the agricultural and natural resources environment.
• Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary manner with faculty from the ABE department and departments outside the incumbent’s home academic unit.
• Experience developing curriculum, teaching courses, and/or evidence of teaching scholarship are desired.
• Knowledge and experience with new trends and techniques in monitoring, assessing, and/or managing agricultural and natural resources are desirable.
• Postdoctoral and other professional experience.

Application Instructions:

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by October 1, 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. The University of Florida is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty. We welcome nominations of anyone who would bring additional dimensions to the university’s research, teaching and clinical mission, including women, members of minority groups, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Nominations should be sent to:

 

Please refer to Requisition # 77831

Dr. Ray Huffaker

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department

PO Box 110570

Gainesville, FL 32611-0940

Telephone: 352-294-6745

Facsimile: 352-392-4092

Electronic Mail: rhuffaker@ufl.edu

 

Application Information

Individuals wishing to apply should go online to http://apply.interfolio.com/90808 and submit:

• Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above, including a brief description of research and teaching experience. The University is committed to building a culturally diverse educational environment. Applicants are requested to include in their cover letter information about how they will further this goal.
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information for three individuals willing to serve as references.
• Research and teaching philosophy (2 page limit)

 

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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