Assistant Professor of Urban Turfgrass Management (72572)

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 12-month tenure-accruing position that will be 50% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 50% extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), available in the Environmental Horticulture Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida main campus in Gainesville, FL. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. Duties will include the development of a productive, innovative, interdisciplinary, and extramurally funded research program with emphasis on turfgrass science, culture, and management in urban systems. Research emphasis could include but is not limited to optimization of nutrient and/or water use in turfgrass systems, enhancement of urban landscape ecosystem services, modeling of nutrient and contaminant movement in natural and constructed turfgrass soil systems, addition of soil and foliar amendments to improve turfgrass performance and developing sustainable lawn management practices. The successful candidate must work cooperatively with EH Department faculty and the statewide interdisciplinary turfgrass team. Extension responsibilities include providing leadership, training, and assistance through programs that serve a diverse clientele including county extension faculty, professional lawn care companies, sod producers, athletic field managers, industry representatives, homeowners, and decision/policy makers. The incumbent will develop educational programs and products on turfgrass culture and management systems that enhance turfgrass quality and ecosystem services while minimizing negative environmental impacts.

Tenure will accrue in the Department of Environmental Horticulture. The faculty member will participate actively in undergraduate and graduate education by chairing graduate committees, serving on graduate committees, supervising thesis and dissertation research, supervising undergraduate research, and publishing the results with their students. Faculty are encouraged to participate in professional development activities related to teaching and advising and may teach courses and seminars. The faculty member will actively seek extramural contract and grant funding to support their program. The incumbent must consistently publish scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and through extension outlets related to their assigned duties. The faculty member will also engage in Extension activities in their program area, actively collaborating with county extension agents and state extension specialists. Faculty are expected to engage in professional development activities related to teaching and advising, mentoring, and diversity training.

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.

Required:

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in turfgrass science, environmental horticulture, crop science, soil and water science, agronomy, 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. Experience with cooperative extension or public scientific communication is also desirable.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by May 14, 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 # 72572

Dr. J. Bryan Unruh

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

West Florida Research and Education Center

4253 Experiment Drive

Jay, FL 32565

Telephone: 850-982-7951

Electronic Mail: jbu@ufl.edu

Application Information

• Individuals wishing to apply should go online to http://apply.interfolio.com/86065 and submit:
  • Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position, qualifications relative to the credentials listed above, teaching, research, and extension philosophies, and a diversity statement.
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Contact information (including email addresses) for four individuals willing to write letters of recommendation
  • Unofficial transcripts

Final candidate will be required to provide 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), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/ .

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff.

The University of Florida is An Equal Employment Opportunity Institution. 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). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

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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.