Assistant Professor – Invasive Aquatic Plant Management

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 60% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station), and 40% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences), available in the Agronomy Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. The position will be located at the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants (CAIP) in Gainesville, FL with access to extensive laboratory, greenhouse, mesocosm, and field facilities. Tenure will accrue in the Agronomy Department. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.

The research component of this position (60%) will focus on relevant independent research on invasive plants and/or algae in aquatic or semi-aquatic habitats. Research can be directed as either an applied or basic program as long as it adds support and breadth to existing CAIP programs or addresses concerns from resource managers in Florida or across the nation. For example, applied research may be focused on advancing the science of plant/algae management through IPM approaches, remote sensing, UAVs, or other geospatial technologies. Basic research may include study of the biology, physiology, or ecology of invasive plants and algae in relation to climate change, herbicide resistance, and other issues of global importance. The incumbent is expected to obtain extramural funding, direct graduate student research, and publish research findings in the scientific literature.

The teaching component of this position (40%) will include undergraduate and graduate sections of Aquatic Plant Management and additional courses to be developed by the instructor. These courses will be delivered in the classroom and/or through distance teaching methodology. In addition to these courses, the incumbent will be tasked to coordinate and refine an online certificate program in weed science. The primary audience for this certificate program will be county extension faculty, state and federal agency personnel, commercial herbicide applicators, and individuals in the private sector who have an interest in the control of aquatic and invasive plants. The incumbent must liaise with federal, state, county and municipal land management programs such as the Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida’s five Water Management Districts, and Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAS) as to address their educational needs. The incumbent will have the opportunity to collaborate with the CAIP Information Office for educational program development and with established programs in other departments. This position requires close coordination of research and extension programs with faculty in several other disciplines including Fisheries, Forestry, Entomology and Horticulture as well as with research/extension staff at Research and Education Centers throughout the state.

The faculty member will actively participate in undergraduate education and graduate education by chairing graduate committees, serving on graduate committees, supervising thesis and dissertation research, supervising undergraduate research, and publishing the results with his/her graduate students. The faculty member will seek contract and grant funding actively to support their program. The faculty member will engage in Extension activities as it relates to their program area.

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 Agronomy Department of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) has faculty working in all aspects of the discipline including invasive plant management, plant biology, physiology and ecology. The Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants (CAIP) maintains close relationships with all faculty working on invasive plants including those in Entomology and Nematology (biological control), Horticultural Sciences, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, and Forestry which provide extensive opportunities for multi-disciplinary projects.
Florida state agencies, water management districts, counties and other public entities spend over $50 million annually for control of invasive plants in Florida and rely heavily on IFAS faculty and staff for development of control methods and educational opportunities.

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 Experience and Education

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Weed Science (preferred), Agronomy, Botany, Horticulture Sciences or a closely related discipline is required. 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 experience is desirable, but not required.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit all required materials by April 12, 2024 . However, the position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

Employment Conditions

This position is available January 1, 2025, 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 # 530297

Dr. Stephen F. Enloe

Professor and Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

7922 NW 21st St.

Gainesville, FL 32653

Telephone: 352-392-6841                             

Facsimile: 352.392.3462

Electronic Mail: [email protected]                 

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
• Teaching Philosophy
• Curriculum vitae
• Three 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. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.