Assistant/Associate Professor—Arbovirus Systems Genetics, Genomics, or Engineering (71241)

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 9-month tenure-accruing position that will be 85% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 15% teaching (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences), available at the Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory (FMEL), Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. Appointment at the Associate Professor level will be considered for individuals with special qualifications and experience and/or demonstrable research productivity and funding record. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. Research duties focus on arthropod vectors of disease, particularly mosquitoes and ticks, and the pathogens they transmit with emphasis on using modern genetic engineering tools and procedures (e.g. CRISPR-Cas9 mediated transgenesis) for developing and evaluating new information and tools relevant to arbovirus system management. Tenure will accrue in the appropriate department in UF-IFAS.

The successful candidate will engage in scholarly activities related to instruction, including teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses, advising and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, participating in curriculum revision and enhancement, seeking funding for the teaching program, supervising undergraduate and graduate research and creative work, publishing teaching-related scholarship, producing learning tools, and engaging in professional development activities related to teaching and advising. Faculty are encouraged to support and participate in the CALS Honors Program, distance education, and international education.

The incumbent will be expected to develop and teach an undergraduate/graduate course on arbovirus systems genetics, genomics, engineering, and/or other relevant molecular methods for medical entomology and public health in collaboration with other FMEL faculty. Incumbent will also be expected to contribute to FMEL team taught courses such as Advanced Mosquito Biology.

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 FMEL seeks candidates who demonstrate research interests complementary to those of current FMEL faculty and that will promote intra- and extramural research collaborations, including international programs.

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:

Florida is comprised of a diverse human population, culture and ecological habitat. The Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory ( http://fmel.ifas.ufl.edu ) is located on a 38-acre campus, much of which is comprised of native Florida coastal hammock habitat, 5 miles south of downtown Vero Beach, Florida. Faculty and staff at the FMEL perform research on diverse topics related to human pathogens and their arthropod vectors. Facilities include biosafety levels 2 and 3 laboratories, arthropod containment levels 2 and 3 laboratories, a library, mechanical shop facilities, an animal holding and rearing facility, comprehensive computing equipment, a vehicle pool, and mosquito rearing facilities. Current laboratory staff includes 13 faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students and ~ 20 support personnel.

Required:

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in a relevant biological 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 is desirable. Special consideration will be given to candidates with previous experience with genetic engineering work in arboviral disease systems (vectors, pathogens, and their interactions with the environment), including field fitness/implementation and ecological impacts. Demonstrated experience using modern approaches and techniques in other disciplines including, but not limited to molecular biology and evolution, chemical ecology, toxicology, population biology, ecosystem ecology, gene drive systems, and epidemiology of mosquito-borne diseases is also advantageous. Integrative and cross-disciplinary research is strongly encouraged.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by June 1, 2021. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

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 # 71241

Dr. Cynthia Lord

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory

200 9th St, SE

Vero Beach, FL 32962

Telephone: (772) 226-6628

Facsimile: (772) 778-7205

Electronic Mail: clord@ufl.edu

Application Information

• Individuals wishing to apply should go online to http://apply.interfolio.com/84958 and submit:
  • Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above.
  • Statement of research interests.
  • Statement of teaching philosophy
  • Curriculum vitae.
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Unofficial transcripts.

• All inquiries should be made by email to clord@ufl.edu

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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