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Assistant Professor of Agricultural Water Management

Employer
University of Florida
Location
Palm Beach

Job no: 523457
Work type: Tenure-Track Faculty
Location: Palm Beach
Categories: Biology/Life Science
Department:60740000 - AG-EREC-BELLE GLADE

Classification Title:

Ast Prof

Job Description:

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is committed to creating an environment of inclusive excellence that affirms diversity across a variety of dimensions, including ability, class, ethnicity/race, gender identity and expression. Inclusive excellence is the active process of including and respecting everyone as we strive for excellence and equitable outcomes in all we do at the University of Florida. 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 70% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 30% extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), available at the Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) within the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Tenure will accrue either in the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences OR the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. The incumbent is expected to develop a program with a major focus on water resources and water quality in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) and adjacent areas in south Florida. The EAA and adjacent areas have organic, sand, and transitional soils and comprise one of the nation’s largest suppliers of winter vegetables, while also boasting the largest sugarcane and sweet corn production in the country and significant rice acreage. The incumbent will develop a nationally recognized extramurally funded research and extension program focused on efficient irrigation and drainage systems balancing water resources, water quality and agricultural production with local and global applications in the context of complex hydrological systems and climate change. The candidate is expected to provide research and outreach leadership to 1) further hydrologic knowledge of agricultural systems such as irrigation, subsurface drainage and water table management using the latest technologies, innovations, AI machine learning modeling and data science applications; 2) develop, test and evaluate soil and water management practices that provide erosion and sediment control, and 3) reduce and mitigate the impact of agricultural water management decisions and other production practices on phosphorus nutrient transport as part of an established comprehensive Best Management Practices (BMP) program in the EAA.

This is an opportunity to work as part of an interdisciplinary research and extension team at the EREC, while serving as a faculty member in the University of Florida Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences or the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering with statewide and campus-based colleagues. The incumbent is expected to work with and train county and regional extension faculty and develop an extension program to meet water related industry needs. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.

The faculty member will actively participate in graduate education by chairing and serving on graduate committees, supervising graduate and undergraduate research, and publishing research results with students. Faculty are encouraged to participate in professional development activities related to teaching and advising and may teach courses and seminars. 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.

Background Information

The Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) is an 800-acre facility located in Belle Glade within the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), near the southern edge of Lake Okeechobee in western Palm Beach County. The EAA is a dynamic, agriculturally diverse region with major production of sugarcane, rice, commercial sod, and winter vegetables (sweet corn, leafy and leafy green vegetables, green beans, celery, and radish). The EREC currently has 10 faculty members that represent Agronomy, Entomology and Nematology, Horticultural Sciences, Plant Pathology, and Soil Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Departments. Regional Extension Agents specializing in sugarcane, rice, sod, and fresh market vegetables are located at the EREC and other offices in the EAA. Approximately 80 additional personnel and students support faculty research and extension programs. The EREC facilities include offices, laboratories, greenhouses, 700-acre research farm, and residential dormitories and housing for graduate students and visiting scientists.

Belle Glade is located west of the metropolitan West Palm Beach area, a region with a population of 1.5 million. The area is supported by an excellent subtropical climate, exceptional Atlantic coast beaches, and the cultural advantages of a medium-sized city, including year-round outdoor recreational activities, cultural events, and professional sporting venues.

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Minimum Requirements:
  • A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in soil, water and ecosystem sciences, agricultural engineering, biological engineering, or a closely related discipline at the time of hire 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 Qualifications:
  • Experience in applied agricultural water management research and outreach.
  • Knowledge in watershed hydrology, soil science, GIS, and hydrological and/or chemical/nutrient fate and transport modeling.
  • Data science expertise/skills.
  • Expertise in AI machine learning modeling.
Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by 22 October 2022. 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 # 523457

Dr. Calvin Odero

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Everglades Research and Education Center

3200 E Palm Beach Road

Belle Glade, FL 33430

Phone: (561) 993-1500

Fax: (561) 993-1582

Electronic Mail: dcodero@ufl.edu

Application Information

Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF and submit:

    • Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above
    • Research statement including previous and planned research (up to 2 pages)
    • Extension statement (up to 1 page)
    • Diversity and inclusion statement (up to1 page)
    • Curriculum vitae
    • Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 individuals willing to write letters of recommendation
    • 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.

Health Assessment Required:No

Advertised: 23 Aug 2022 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled

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