Assistant Professor, Molecular Ecology of Arthropods or Nematodes (81836)

Location:
Gainesville, FL
Open Date:
Sep 10, 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 9-month, tenure-accruing position that will be 80% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 20% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences) in the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) at the University of Florida (UF). The position will be academically housed in the Entomology and Nematology Department within IFAS in Gainesville FL, and the nature of the assignment may change in accordance with the changing needs of the department and IFAS. Tenure will accrue in the Entomology and Nematology Department.

 

The candidate will develop an internationally recognized and extramurally funded program in molecular ecology of arthropods or nematodes. This is a broad search, but programs applying a modern molecular ecology perspective to themes such as population or landscape genetics, biogeography, species interactions, or molecular evolution may be of interest. Research anywhere on the spectrum from addressing foundational questions in ecological systems to applied work related to agriculture, natural resources conservation, or human and animal health is encouraged. Invasion science is emerging as a campus-wide strength at the University of Florida and the incumbent is encouraged to contribute to strengthening this area of excellence. Similarly, the incumbent is encouraged to take advantage of a recent expansion of capabilities for our HiPerGator supercomputing cluster and a new campus-wide area of emphasis in Artificial Intelligence and other intensive computational approaches.

 

The successful candidate will participate actively in scholarly activities related to instruction, such as teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, chairing and serving on graduate committees, supervising undergraduate and graduate research and creative work, publishing results with graduate students and postdocs, participating in curriculum revision and enhancement, and producing learning tools. Faculty are encouraged to support and participate in the CALS Honors Program, distance education, and international education. Courses are likely to include a specialty graduate course in molecular ecology of arthropods and nematodes every other year, and in alternate years, either an undergraduate Course Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) course in the incumbent’s area of expertise that emphasizes both hands-on research and quantitative skills, or a graduate-level course that emphasizes current quantitative and computational skills as broadly applied to Entomology & Nematology.
 

The faculty member will aggressively seek contract and grant funding to support their program and must consistently publish scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and other appropriate venues. Faculty are expected to participate in professional development activities such as training in mentoring, grant writing, and intercultural competency.

 

UF/IFAS is a land-grant institution under which 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 Entomology and Nematology Department is a unit in UF/IFAS and has a diverse teaching, research and extension education programs with more than 32 faculty members on the Gainesville campus, 35 faculty located across the state at research and education centers, and 30 support personnel.

Qualifications:

Required: 

• Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in a discipline that clearly falls under the umbrella of molecular ecology is required.
• Demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, interpersonal relationships, and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Commitment to teaching and mentoring.
• Research experience with arthropods, nematodes, or other appropriate systems, but additional work in other systems will also be recognized as valuable and applicable at the time of application (e.g., plants, vertebrates, microbes, etc.).
• Supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system and candidates must also have a commitment to IFAS core values of excellence, diversity, global involvement, and accountability.   

 

Preferred:

• Experience with applying for and procurement of extramural funding is preferred, as are teaching, mentoring, and postdoctoral experience.
• Candidates using modern approaches to test basic and/or applied hypotheses are encouraged to apply.
• Ability and willingness to establish and maintain interdisciplinary collaborations will be viewed as a strength.

Application Instructions:

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by October 17, 2021.  The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

Nominations

Nominations are welcome.  Nominations should include the complete name, address and email address of the nominee. This information should be sent to:

 

Please refer to Requisition # 81836

 

Dr. Dan Hahn

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida, IFAS

Entomology & Nematology Department

PO Box 110620

1881 Natural Area Drive

Gainesville, FL   32611

Telephone:                               352-273-3960

Facsimile:                                352-392-0190

Electronic Mail:                      dahahn@ufl.edu

                       

Application Information

• Individuals wishing to apply should go online to http://apply.interfolio.com/94317 and submit:
  • Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Statement of research interests
  • Statement of teaching and mentoring philosophy
  • Diversity statement indicating how your previous experiences have prepared you to contribute to an inclusive institutional culture
  • Contact information (including email addresses) for three individuals willing to write letters of recommendation if requested

Final candidate will be required to provide 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), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/.

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff.

The University of Florida is An Equal Employment Opportunity Institution. 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). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

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