Assistant Professor of Plant Nematology (72157)

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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This is a 12-month tenure-accruing position that will be 70% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 30% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences), available at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. The incumbent will specialize in the study of plant-parasitic nematodes in South Florida and the Caribbean that cause disease to important horticultural and agricultural crops in the region and developing improved pest management options. Involvement with south Florida stakeholders (growers and farmers) is expected. Our university affords the candidate opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary research with basic and applied nematologists, and specialists in entomology, plant pathology, horticulture, agronomy, and soil and water science, among others. The faculty member will actively seek extramural funding to develop and support an internationally recognized program for plant-parasitic nematode management in tropical agriculture.

For the teaching assignment, the successful candidate will be responsible for teaching NEM 5707 Plant Nematology as a distance course, and to develop and teach another course TBD based on the center and department’s needs and the candidates expertise.

The successful candidate will engage in scholarly activities related to instruction, including teaching undergraduate and/or graduate Plant Nematology, 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 position will be located at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences (IF AS), University of Florida, Davie, Florida. Tenure will accrue in the Entomology & Nematology Department.

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 Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center is a unit in the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) at the University of Florida and has diverse teaching, research and extension education programs with 13 faculty ( http://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu ). Undergraduate and graduate degree programs are available at the Center. The Center is a member of, and located in, the South Florida Education Center, a group of educational institutions consisting of county public schools, a public community college, public universities, and a private university. Other agencies represented at the Center are the USDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, US Geological Survey, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and US Fish and Wildlife Service. The Center is located in central Broward County, providing rich and diverse cultural opportunities, while also being minutes from the Everglades Ecosystem and the Atlantic Ocean. The Department of Entomology and Nematology ( http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/ ) has diverse teaching, research, and extension programs with 32 faculty members located on main campus in Gainesville (including 4 nematologists) and 38 faculty located at 12 Research and Education Centers throughout the state (with an additional 2 nematologists).

Required - A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in nematology, plant pathology, or a closely related discipline. Candidates must demonstrate 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. Technical knowledge and skills in modern molecular techniques.

Preferred qualifications – teaching experience, experience with distance education technologies, postdoctoral experience.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by May 1st, 2021. 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 # 72157

Dr. Brian W. Bahder

Chair, Plant Nematologist Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center

3205 College Avenue

Davie , FL 33314

Telephone: 954.577.6300

Facsimile: 954.475.4125

Electronic Mail: bbahder@ufl.edu

Application Information

Individuals wishing to apply should go online to http://apply.interfolio.com/85813 and submit:

• Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above
• Statement of research plans
• Teaching and mentoring philosophy
• Diversity statement indicating how you will contribute to an inclusive institutional culture
• Curriculum vitae
• Names and contact information (email address and phone number) of three individuals who may be contacted to provide letters of recommendation

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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