Assistant Professor in Agroecosystem Entomology (77178)

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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The University of Florida is hiring an assistant professor in entomology. This is a 12-month tenure-accruing position that will be 60% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 40% extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), located at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy, FL. Tenure will accrue in the Entomology and Nematology Department of the University of Florida. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.

The incumbent will develop an extension program for pests and beneficial arthropods associated with row, grain, and forage crops. Commodities to cover include corn, cotton, carinata, peanut, soybean, sorghum, bermudagrass, alfalfa, and winter and summer annual forage crops. Research will focus ideally on the use of new technologies such as GIS, drone mapping, agricultural imaging, artificial intelligence or machine learning, to address issues with piercing-sucking arthropods occurring in field crops. The program may also investigate beneficial insects such as biological agents, recyclers, and pollinators. Additional skills in areas such as landscape ecology, quantitative ecology, mathematical modeling, pollinator ecology, acarology, insect vectors of plant-pathogens would be highly valued.

The successful candidate will function as part of a team at the NFREC and other campuses of the University of Florida cooperating with scientists in agronomy, entomology, nematology, plant pathology, horticulture, plant breeding, forestry, soil science, and related disciplines. Through extension efforts, the successful candidate will meet the specific industry needs of the region. In a team environment, the candidate will train county extension agents in row, grain, and forage crops. Expectations may change in accordance with the needs of the unit and statewide concerns.

The incumbent will seek external grant funding and industry contracts to actively support their research and extension program. The successful candidate will actively participate in graduate education by serving as chair and member on graduate student committees and supervising thesis, dissertation, and publishing research results with students.

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 NFREC is comprised of three centers situated in Marianna, Quincy, and Live Oak FL. All of them have ongoing row and forage crop research and extension programs, and collaborations with faculty in each of these centers are expected of the successful candidate as well as collaborations with faculty on main UF campus in Gainesville, FL and at the West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay, FL.

Required :

• Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in entomology or equivalent with broad knowledge in field crop arthropods.
• Demonstrated skills in written and oral communication, data management, and technical writing.
• Ability and willingness to meet demanding travel requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to work with people regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, religion, or veteran status.
• 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.
• Previous experience in extension in a land-grant university.
• Extensive experience with at least one of these technologies: GIS, drone mapping, agricultural imaging, artificial intelligence, machine learning.

• Demonstrated ability to develop a robust educational program for stakeholder groups that includes traditional and web-based training efforts.
• An established network of collaborators in other states for row and forage crops research.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with stakeholder groups and the scientific community through presentations and publications.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose and manage of piercing-sucking arthropod problems of field crops.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary, collaborative team environment.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by August 19, 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 # 77178

Xavier Martini

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

North Florida Research and Education Center

155 Research Road

Quincy, FL 32351

Telephone: 850-875-7160

Facsimile: 352-846-6617

Electronic Mail: xmartini@ufl.edu

Application Information

• Individuals wishing to apply should go online to http://apply.interfolio.com/90206 and submit:
  • Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above.
  • One-page document describing your extension philosophy.
  • Diversity statement indicating how your previous experiences have prepared you to contribute to an inclusive institutional culture.
  • Curriculum vitae.
  • Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 individuals willing to write 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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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.