Please note that we are searching broadly for a well-qualified candidate interested in working on the ecology of managed systems in South Florida.
Contact me or the search chair Catharine Mannion with questions. Luke Flory Title: Assistant Professor of Agronomy - Agroecology Location: Tropical Research and Education Center University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Homestead, Florida Salary: Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience Review Date: For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by August 1, 2016. The position will open until a viable applicant pool is determined. Duties and Responsibilities This is a 12-month tenure-accruing position that will be 60% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 40% extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), available at the Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, FL, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. South Florida is an environmentally diverse and sensitive region that is particularly vulnerable to recent perturbations in historical environmental conditions. These changes include: water resource availability; point and non-point pollution; non-native pest species; growing urban populations and sprawl; and changes in storm frequencies and intensities, and other climate related alterations. These issues are particularly relevant to agricultural systems and natural areas in the region. Due to the complexity of the interactions of these factors when considering sustainability in production systems and managed natural areas, an agroecological approach that incorporates a balance between economic, environmental, and societal impacts is essential. The successful candidate will develop an internationally recognized, extramurally funded research program in agroecology that encompasses a broad range of cooperative, problem-oriented, field and laboratory research projects aimed at increasing resiliency in agroecosystems, including managed natural areas, in the region. This position will involve the evaluation of selected current and novel cropping and management systems as well as the development of alternative systems or components that maximize resiliency, while maintaining resourceconservation, economic viability, and societal value. The standard of system evaluation would likely contain an integrated agroecological approach, which removes the sole emphasis on yield and replaces it with a holistic evaluation based on production, environment, and society. Tenure will accrue in the Agronomy Department, which includes tenure and tenure-track faculty focused on agroecology, ecology, and the management of natural areas. 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 members are encouraged to participate in professional development activities related to teaching and advising and may teach courses and seminars. The faculty member will seek contract and grant funding actively to support his/her program and will engage in Extension activities in their program area. Because of the IFAS land-grant mission, all faculty members 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. Qualifications A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in agronomy, ecology, or a closely related discipline is required. Postdoctoral experience is desirable. 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 and also must have a commitment to UF core values of excellence, diversity, global involvement, and accountability. Ability to work as a member of interdisciplinary teams is highly desirable. Background Information: The Agronomy Department (http://agronomy.ifas.ufl.edu) is a unit of UF/IFAS and has diverse teaching, research, and extension programs with 16 faculty members located on main campus in Gainesville and 13 faculty members located at Research and Education Centers throughout the state. The Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC) of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), University of Florida is located in Homestead , Florida about 30 miles south of Miami. The Center was established in 1929 by an act of the state legislature in what is now Miami-Dade County. Research, teaching, and extension programs focus on tropical and subtropical fruit crops, tropical and temperate vegetable crops, and ornamental crops of southern Florida. The agricultural industry served by the center has an annual farm gate value of $834 million. Multiplier effects make agriculture's impact on the local economy worth over $1 billion annually. Due to the region's humid subtropical climate, TREC is the only state university research center in the continental U.S. focusing on a large number of tropical and subtropical crops. Also, the area's oolitic limestone soil is unique to extreme southern Florida. In addition, the Center addresses water and environmental issues that impact crop production over a shallow aquifer and in proximity to Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Marine Park, Florida Bay and major well fields which provide drinking water to the several million people in neighboring urban areas. The center's 160 acres consist of offices, laboratories, greenhouses, vegetable fields, and fruit orchards. There are sixteen faculty members and approximately 45 support staff. The University of Florida (http://www.ufl.edu) is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than 50,000 students. UF is a member of The Association of American Universities. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (http://ifas.ufl.edu) includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (http://cals.ufl.edu), the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station (http://research.ifas.ufl.edu), the Florida Cooperative Extension Service (http://extension.ifas.ufl.edu), the College of Veterinary Medicine (http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu), the Florida Sea Grant program (http://www.flseagrant.org/ ), 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. IFAS employs over 2500 people, which includes approximately 900 faculty and 1200 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 Senior 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. Employment Conditions This position is available September 1, 2016, 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 # 494905 Dr. Catharine Mannion Chair, Search and Screen Committee University of Florida Tropical Research and Education Center 18905 SW 280th Street Homestead, FL 33031 Telephone: 786.217.9241 Facsimile: 305.246.7003 Electronic Mail: cmann...@ufl.edu Application Information Individuals wishing to apply should go online to http://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/cw/en-us/job/494905 and submit: o Application o Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above o Curriculum vitae o Contact information (including email addresses) for 4 individuals willing to write letters of recommendation o Unofficial transcripts Final candidate will be required to provide 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), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/ . The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. The selection process will be conducted in accord with the provisions of Florida’s ‘Government in the Sunshine’ and Public Records Laws. Persons with disabilities have the right to request and receive reasonable accommodation.
