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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 non-tenure accruing position that will be 70 % research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 30 % extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), available in the Everglades Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida.  This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.  Duties include the design and implementation of research and extension projects focused on the implementation and verification of best management practices to reduce phosphorus loads from agricultural area farms in southern Florida and improving soil quality both on organic and sandy soils. The incumbent will design and execute field trials, field sampling of water, soil, sediment, and greenhouse gases, data management, statistical data analysis, and prepare research findings for publications and reports, refereed publications, and extension. Applicants must have strong fundamentals and soil and water sciences, agronomy, and aquatic and wetland plant sciences. The applicant must also have excellent knowledge of water management practices including irrigation and drainage practices.  The faculty member will seek contract and grant funding actively to support their program.  The faculty member will engage in Extension activities in their program area.  

The faculty member will participate actively in graduate education by serving on graduate committees, supervising thesis and dissertation research, mentoring interns, and publishing the results with graduate students and interns.

Background Information :

The Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC, http://erec.ifas.ufl.edu ) 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, celery, and radish). The EREC has 8 faculty members that represent Agronomy, Entomology and Nematology, Horticultural Sciences, Plant Pathology, and Soil and Water Science 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.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Required :

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in an Agricultural, Environmental Field or Soil and Water Sciences or a closely related discipline is required in addition to two years minimum of postdoctoral experience. 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.  A record of quality refereed publications is required.  Field data collection and laboratory analyses of soil and water samples will be necessary. Applicants without the two-year postdoctoral experience will not be considered.

Preferred :

• Evidence of ability to conduct independent and collaborative research in soil and water sciences
• Experience in extension program development and working with growers, extension agents and other stakeholders.

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

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 # 522844

Dr. Mabry McCray

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: jmmccray@ufl.edu

Application Information

• Individuals wishing to apply should go online to https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/522844 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 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.