Ast Prof

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 .

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 in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida.  This position is within the Center for Land Use Efficiency (CLUE) in IFAS. As such, this faculty member will work in partnership with other faculty members in CLUE and with stakeholders on climate resilience topics. The individual will work closely with the Center for Land Use Efficiency faculty, colleagues in Gainesville, and Research and Education Centers to develop a competitive research and Extension program. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.  Duties will include developing research and Extension programs, contributing services to the profession and community, collaborating with others at UF and externally, and mentoring graduate students. Tenure will accrue in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. 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 effects of climate change on agriculture and natural resources, including water, land, and soil, are major concerns in Florida and globally. The frequency and intensity of extreme events such as heavy storms, flooding, hurricanes, and drought are expected to increase under projected future climate. Agricultural productivity and natural resources can be degraded by the unfavorable sequences from these weather events, leading to substantial losses in crop production, soil, nutrients, and fertilizers in agricultural fields, pollutant loading to water bodies, and subsequent water quality issues. In addition, many urban or urbanizing areas are grappling with the effects of climate change. The faculty member will improve the climate resilience of Florida by assessing, monitoring, and predicting the current and potential climate change impacts on natural resources, urbanizing land use and agriculture of the State of Florida and developing mitigation and adaptation strategies. Research findings are expected to also have global relevance. The faculty member will use a broad range of approaches to create solutions for improved climate resilience; proven expertise and research products in hydroclimate, mechanistic and statistical modeling, in-field and remote-sensing monitoring, and water and soil resources engineering are required.

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.

Background Information:

The Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department is a unit in the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) at the University of Florida and has diverse teaching, research and extension education programs. The Department is comprised of 35 faculty members located on the Gainesville campus, 7 faculty located across the state at research and education centers, and 20 support personnel, and consistently ranks in the top 10 Agricultural and Biological Engineering programs nationwide. Instilling excellence in research, leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship are ABE's highest priorities. At ABE, the candidate will join a dynamic, cross-disciplinary group of researchers, and will enjoy broad opportunities for collaborations with existing teams, including those studying climate variability and change, hydrology and water quality, crop modeling, precision agriculture, irrigation and drainage, data analytics and artificial intelligence, biosensors, mechatronics, and coupled natural and human ecosystems.

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

• A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in agricultural, biological, civil, environmental, or geological engineering, or a closely related discipline is required. 
• Candidates must have evidence of experience in assessing or mitigating climate change-related impacts on natural resources, agricultural land use, and urbanizing land use.
• Candidates must have experience working on multidisciplinary teams.
• 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 UF core values of excellence, discovery & innovation, inclusion, freedom & civility, community, and stewardship. 

• Postdoctoral or other professional experience is desirable. 
• Evidence of effectively working in multi/trans-disciplinary groups or consortia between academia and outside stakeholders.
• Involvement in professional societies or other entities related to the discipline.
• Mentorship experience with undergraduate or graduate students.
• Experience securing or competing for external funding.
• Extension experience with local stakeholders and in publishing transaction papers (or Extension articles).

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by February 4, 2024.  The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

Employment Conditions

This position is available August 16, 2024, 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 # 529147

Young Gu Her

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department/Tropical Research and Education Center

18905 SW 280th St.,

Homestead, FL 33031

Telephone:                               786-217-9288

Facsimile:                                305-246-7003

Electronic Mail:                      yher@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 for BS, MS, and PhD degree programs

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.