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Assistant Professor - Garden Plant Breeding

Job Description


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% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences), available at the Environmental Horticulture Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. The research program must be developed to meet the needs of the ornamental horticulture industry in cooperation with other faculty in the Environmental Horticulture Department, located at the main campus in Gainesville and at other locations throughout the state. Duties include providing innovative leadership and expertise in plant breeding and genetics of ornamental and garden plants. This program will bridge basic plant science, conventional cultivar development and modern plant breeding techniques for crop improvement. The selected candidate will establish a competitive, externally funded research program focused on the improvement of greenhouse and nursery/landscape crops. Breeding objectives may include the development of unique garden plant cultivars with enhanced tolerance to environmental stresses, improved pest resistance, non-invasiveness, and superior commercial traits. Other foundational/collaborative research may relate to applied propagation and production (for commercialization); screening germplasm (for resistance to diseases, insects, and environmental stresses); genomics (for breeding and biotechnological applications); gene editing and plant transformation. The selected candidate will engage in teaching activities through the collaboration and/or development of one graduate and one undergraduate course related to plant breeding. The successful candidate will also 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.

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.

Background Information :

The University of Florida Environmental Horticulture Department is located in Gainesville , with office, laboratory, greenhouse, teaching, and field plot facilities. Additional field and greenhouse facilities are located at the Plant Science Research & Education Unit at Citra, FL. Currently, there are 17 faculty members located in Gainesville, with 13 other faculty located at various Research & Education Centers around the state of Florida.

 

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Minimum Requirements:

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in plant science, plant genetics, plant breeding, horticulture, or a closely related discipline is required at time of hire. Candidates should have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication and interpersonal relationships. 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:

Prior experience using conventional plant breeding techniques to develop new ornamental plant cultivars is highly desirable. Experience in, and knowledge of, the production, cultivation, and systematics of greenhouse and nursery/landscape plants is also highly desirable. Postdoctoral experience is preferred but not required.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by April 15, 2023.  The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

Employment Conditions

This position is available August 16, 2023 and will be filled as soon thereafter as an acceptable applicant is available.  Compensation is commensurate with the education, experience, and qualifications of the selected applicant.

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 # 526069

Dr. Zhanao Deng

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Environmental Horticulture Department

Gulf Coast Research and Education Center

14625 County Road 672

Wimauma, FL 33598

Telephone:                   813-419-6605

Electronic Mail:          zdeng@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 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

 


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