Postdoc Aso

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. 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 .

A Post-Doctoral position is available at the University of Florida, at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center located in Davie, Florida. The post-doc will conduct research under the joint mentorship and supervision of Drs. Mica McMillan (Dept, Environmental Horticulture) and Braham Dhillon (Dept. Plant Pathology), in collaboration with The Davey Tree Expert Company. The successful candidate should have strong work ethic, excellent time and organizational skills, and be self-driven.

Projects will include but are not limited to ‘Alternative Fertilizer Methods for Palm Nutrition’ focused on developing fertilizers to enhance nutrient uptake and improve overall palm health. Specifically, this candidate will focus on novel injection applications and methods to determine palm responsiveness to these applications. Concurrently, the candidate will work on structural defects, failure and risk assessment in palms. With around 2,600 known species, palms form an integral part of the landscape in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.

Additionally, the successful candidate will be expected to collaborate with the project team and faculty to develop and implement field sampling plans and will develop additional research projects beyond this initial project. Specific duties required for this position:

• Conduct field analyses using MiniRhizotron and Rootsnap Software, Sonic Tomography and RGB/Multi-spec Analyses.
• Conduct laboratory analyses and maintain laboratory equipment including but not limited to: nutrient, root and leachate analyses.
• Examine the use of minimally invasive methods to detect structural damage in palms.
• Assess the utility of different sonic tomography instruments to measure rot in palms.
• Correlate morphometric data from healthy and diseased palms to data on structural integrity across temporal and spatial scales.
• Collaborate with statistical experts and conduct statistical analysis using SAS.
• Produce manuscripts based on data analyses.
• Travel to research sites may be required and a valid driver’s license is necessary.
• Ability to work in indoor and outdoor conditions and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Other laboratory and field duties as determined by project needs.

Appointment: Start date is Fall 2023. This is an industry funded position for 1 year and could be extended depending upon additional funding. The salary will be $47,476/year with benefits. Housing is not included in this funding.

The University of Florida is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than 56,000 students.  UF is a member of The Association of American Universities.  The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences , the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station , the Florida Cooperative Extension Service , the College of Veterinary Medicine , the Florida Sea Grant program, and encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments and schools, 12 Research and Educational Centers (REC) located throughout the state, 6 Research sites/demonstration units administered by RECs or academic departments, and Florida Cooperative Extension Service offices in all 67 counties (counties operate and maintain). The School of Natural Resources and Environment is an interdisciplinary unit housed in IFAS and managed by several colleges on campus.  UF/IFAS employs nearly 4,500 people, which includes approximately 990 salaried faculty and 1,400 permanent support personnel located in Gainesville and throughout the state. IFAS, one of the nation’s largest agricultural and natural resources research and education organizations, is administered by a Vice President and four deans: the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Dean for Extension and Director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the Dean for Research and Director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine.  UF/IFAS also engages in cooperative work with Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

The successful candidate should have completed a PhD in Agronomy, Plant Science, Horticulture, Forestry, or other related discipline. The candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills and be a productive team member. Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values of excellence, discovery & innovation, inclusion, freedom & civility, community, and stewardship. 

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

• Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF and submit:
• A brief cover letter describing your interest in this position, past research experience, and future goals
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 individuals willing to write letters of recommendation

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. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.