Ast/Aso Prof

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 12-month tenure-accruing position that will be 40% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 60% Extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), available in the North Florida Research & Education Center , Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida.   Tenure will accrue in the Agronomy Department . The North Florida Research & Education Center (NFREC) is one of the largest and the most diverse units of UF/IFAS, consisting of research and education campuses in Quincy, Marianna, and Live Oak, Florida. NFREC has faculty members representing 8 academic departments and the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, 5 emeritus faculty members and a dynamic population of graduate students, post-doctoral associates, and scientific/farm/administrative staff. This diversity of faculty, staff and programs provides a unique setting for interdisciplinary work within the NFREC campuses, with colleagues on the main UF  campus and with faculty at other Centers around the state. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.

The incumbent is expected to develop a dynamic integrated research and Extension program focusing on the primary agronomic cropping systems in North Florida including peanut, cotton, corn, and soybean.  This requires integral knowledge of agronomic practices from planting until harvest including off-season practices.  Critical areas include variety selection, seeding density, irrigation, etc. as well as overall cropping system knowledge.  Research and Extension activities dealing with optimization of crop inputs, digital agriculture, alternative rotational crops, biofuel crops, integration of livestock and cropping systems are also possible. This may include the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and/or machine learning to collect and integrate agronomic and environmental data towards specific objectives including the investigation of advanced technologies for optimization of crop inputs and cropping systems. The incumbent is expected to develop an internationally recognized program while meeting the specific needs of the region. The successful candidate will function as part of a team at NFREC cooperating with plant pathologists, entomologists, breeders, and scientists in water quality, soil science and related expertise as needed. The faculty member will seek contract and grant funding actively to support his/her program. The significant appointment in Extension means that the incumbent is expected to be a strong leader and resource for County Agents and Regional Specialized Agents across the Florida Panhandle and North Florida who work in agronomic crops by providing regular In-Service Training, writing Extension documents, publishing in newsletters, etc.  The incumbent will be expected to interact with stakeholders including producers, industry representatives, commodity groups, and other clientele to further the mission of UF-IFAS.  The incumbent will inherit a large research and Extension program that is well funded, staffed and equipped.  There are numerous post-doctoral associates, biological scientists, collaborators, and staff as well as dedicated facilities and a large selection of specialized equipment and more than sufficient land for field research.

The successful candidate will participate actively in undergraduate and graduate education by chairing and serving on graduate committees, supervising thesis, dissertation 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 specified in the position description.

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.

Commensurate with Experience and Education

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Agronomy, Crop Science or a closely related discipline 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 :

Postdoctoral experience is desirable.

Previous experience in Extension in a land-grant university setting

Demonstrated ability to develop a robust educational program for stakeholder groups including traditional and web-based training.

An established network of collaborators in other states in agronomic crop systems.

Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary, collaborative team environment.

Nominations

Nominations are welcome.  Nominations need to include the complete name and address of the nominee. Nominee information should be sent to:

Please refer to requisition # 524751

Jose C. Dubeux, Jr

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

(North Florida Research and Education Center

3925 Highway 71

Marianna, FL, 32446

Telephone:                               (850) 526-1611

Electronic Mail:                      dubeux@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
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information (including email addresses) for three individuals willing to write letters of recommendation from a professional perspective
• 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 North Florida Research and Education Center, Quincy location is situated about 20-30 minutes’ drive west from Tallahassee, Florida.  The area is rich in natural resources such as state parks, lakes, rivers, and forests and ranges from rural to metropolitan where a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, and social opportunities are available to enjoy.  The area is near to some of the Gulf Coast’s best beaches for swimming, fishing and boating.