Research Assistant Scientist (66052)

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.

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Duties and Responsibilities

This is a 12-month non-tenure thirty-six-month time limited accruing position that will be 100% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) available in the North Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida.

This position is a time-limited 36-month non-tenure accruing position and will be located at the University of Florida’s North Florida Research and Education Center, Quincy, FL. The incumbent’s primary responsibility is to develop an independent research program aligned with the broader programmatic area of sustainable cropping systems for the Southeast US, specifically for the Florida Panhandle region. Research must include implementing aspects of precision agriculture to improve nutrient and water use efficiency, water quality, and plant productivity of regional cropping systems. Research program must include a multi-disciplinary approach to devise and demonstrate higher yield with lower input in regional cropping systems through a combination of precision agriculture, enhanced crop rotations, integration of crop and livestock, and other methods. An interest to integrate remote sensing technologies and/or artificial intelligence, driven by a motivation to bring user-friendly decision support systems to the farmers in the region will be an important component of this position. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to effectively represent program goals and objectives to multiple stakeholders (producers, academic professionals and peers, state agencies, project sponsors, other) is essential.

Role/Responsibilities

Incumbent will design, and lead experiments associated with this project and be accountable for all project phases including planning, execution, and closure of the project. He or She will actively oversee and participate in field operations, generating work performance data and information, reports, and peer reviewed publications. This position will require hands on experience with activities in the field, especially pertaining to precision agriculture technology, laboratory analysis and computer and software use for data entry and analysis. This person will be expected to work effectively in a collaborative team environment with affiliated programs and support staff. The person in this position will be expected to actively participate in professional societies, present research findings at scientific meetings and publish research findings in refereed scientific journals. In addition, incumbent must be proficient in developing extension and outreach products including EDIS publications, videos, organization of field days, and other print, audio, visual media related to stakeholder engagement.

Function

Designing and implementing research and demonstration experiments-50%

Data collection, analysis, reporting to project sponsor and publishing in peer reviewed journals-30%

Communicating with stakeholders, serving as a liaison between research and outreach teams, developing extension products -15%

Background Information:

‌ The North Florida Research & Education Center (NFREC) is one of the largest and the most diverse units of UF/IFAS, consisting of research and education campuses in Quincy and Marianna, Florida. NFREC has 16 active faculty members representing 8 academic departments and the School of Forest Resources and Conservation, 3 emeritus faculty members (still active in research at NFREC) and a dynamic population of post-doctoral associates, scientific/farm/administrative staff. NFREC-Quincy also is the home to the District Extension Director for Northwest Florida and his staff. This diversity of faculty, staff and programs provides a unique setting for interdisciplinary work within the NFREC campuses, with colleagues on the main UF campus and with faculty at other Centers around the state. NFREC interacts with state and federal agencies, such as Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Florida’s Water Management Districts. In addition to private entities like the Nature Conservancy, the Rodale Institute, Coca-Cola, and a variety of industries in forestry and agro-chemicals are engaged with programs at NFREC. Multi-state programs are carried out with colleagues in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and other states in the southeastern US. The research and extension programs at NFREC are designed to help agricultural and natural resource clientele adapt and manage resources and agricultural operations effectively and profitably in a changing socioeconomic and environmentally aware setting.

Required:

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) Agronomy, Crop Physiology, Soil Science, 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 IFAS core values of excellence, diversity, global involvement, and accountability.

Preferred:

Postdoctoral experience in cropping systems research is strongly recommended for this position.

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 # 66052

Dr. Ian Small

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC)

155 Research Road

Quincy, Florida 32351

Telephone: (850) 875-7120

Facsimile: (352) 846-6617

Electronic Mail: ismall@ufl.edu

Application Information

• Individuals wishing to apply should go online to http://apply.interfolio.com/80377 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 three 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.

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