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Postdoctoral Associate (63908)



The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is committed to creating an environment that affirms diversity across a variety of dimensions, including ability, class, ethnicity/race, gender identity and expression. 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 36-month position based in the School of Forest Resources and Conservation (Geomatics Program and Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences Program), Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. The position will be associated with the establishment of a Center of Excellence for a standardized seafloor mapping framework on the West Florida Shelf. The primary responsibility of the Postdoctoral Associate will be to lead the development of a cyberinfrastructure, or portal, to support the standardized seafloor mapping framework in the State of Florida. The web platform will offer a permanent and comprehensive data visualization system for users and contributors of seafloor data in Florida. The platform will also serve as a tool to upload and download seafloor data. Examples of similar platforms include the EMODnet portal ( https://www.emodnet.eu/ ), and the AusSeabed national seabed mapping coordination program portal ( http://www.ausseabed.gov.au ).

The successful candidate will be mainly responsible for performing literature reviews, designing infographics to instruct on a suite of geospatial concepts associated with seafloor mapping (e.g., metadata), developing the web platform, its geovisualization component, and its data integration components, disseminating project findings to a broad audience, including academic and governmental groups, and collaborate on writing annual reports, academic papers, and other communication material. The position offers a unique opportunity to work with marine spatial data in Florida and perform research on innovative geospatial frameworks for data visualization (e.g., hexagonal grids).

We seek a highly motivated person with an interdisciplinary background and training. Candidates should have a strong technical background with expertise in web development, GIS, and geovisualization. Knowledge of geographic data and metadata standards and cartographic norms and conventions is expected. Experience using Leaflet, PostgreSQL, PostGIS, and web-based services are preferred. In addition to the technical background, we expect the successful candidate to have interests in a topic related to the marine sciences and seafloor mapping, as pertinent research opportunities associated with the project will be offered.

The School of Forest Resources and Conservation is an interdisciplinary unit housed in UF/IFAS ( www.sfrc.ufl.edu ) and has teaching, research, and extension education programs in three broad areas: Forest Resources and Conservation; Geomatics (surveying, mapping, remote sensing, GIS, and GPS); and Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. The SFRC has 60 faculty members, 60 administrative and programmatic staff, 250 graduate students, and 350 undergraduate students. The School offers bachelor’s degrees in Forest Resources and Conservation, Natural Resource Conservation, Geomatics, and Marine Sciences; thesis and non-thesis master’s degrees in all focal areas, including a number of innovative distance education master’s programs; and Ph.D. degrees in all focal areas.

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 56,000 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). 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.

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in geography, the marine sciences, or a closely related discipline is required. Please note that we will accept applications only from those candidates who have completed (or will have) their doctoral studies by the start date (September 18, 2020). Applicants should possess the technical skills required to perform the duties and responsibilities described above. Applicants should be able to demonstrate excellent leadership, communication, and quantitative skills, and experience in participating in, and motivation for multidisciplinary research efforts. Candidates should have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication and be able to work independently and with flexibility. Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant/Sea-Grant systems. Candidates must also have a commitment to UF/IFAS core values of excellence, diversity, global involvement, and accountability.

Individuals wishing to apply should go to http://apply.interfolio.com/78337 and submit:

  • Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Contact information for three professional references
  • Work sample (e.g., published article, examples of web-based program or application)
  • Unofficial transcript


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) .

The position is for three years (36 months). The successful candidate will be responsible for his/her own relocation to Gainesville, FL. This position is open to any qualified persons.

Nominations are welcome. Nominations need to include the complete name and address of the nominee. This information should be sent to:

Dr. Vincent Lecours, Assistant Professor, Marine Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis

Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences / Geomatics, School of Forest Resources & Conservation, UF/IFAS

Tel: 352-273-3617, email address: vlecours@ufl.edu

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.

The University of Florida is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training.

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