Assistant Professor in Plant Evolutionary Biology

Classification Title:

AST PROF

Job Description:

The Department of Biology at the University of Florida invites applications for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-accruing position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Plant Evolutionary Biology, August 16, 2023. The successful candidate is expected to develop an internationally recognized research program focused on evolutionary questions at any phylogenetic scale, and contribute to our interdisciplinary and highly collaborative Botany program at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The Department of Biology is a part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) at the University of Florida (UF). UF is a large public university with strong undergraduate and graduate programs in Botany, along with a large community of basic and applied biologists in CLAS and other units, including the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences, the College of Medicine, the Whitney Marine Laboratory, and Biodiversity, Informatics, Genetics, and Cancer Institutes. Biological research at UF is supported by the Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, a comprehensive genomics and biotechnology core service center, HiPerGator 3.0 (one of the largest supercomputers among US public universities, with strengths in Artificial Intelligence infrastructure), the FLAS Herbarium housing one of the largest collections in the southeastern US, and several field stations (including the Ordway-Swisher Biological Station, Seahorse Key Marine Lab, and Austin Cary Forest) that provide research and teaching opportunities throughout the state. Biology faculty can recruit graduate students through the School for Natural Resources and the Environment, the Genetics and Genomics program, and the Plant Molecular and Cell Biology program, in addition to the Department of Biology graduate programs.

The University of Florida is a member of the Association of American Universities, a group at the leading edge of innovation, scholarship, and solutions that contribute to global scientific progress, economic development, security, and well-being. UF is located in Gainesville, a small, affordable, metro area (340,000 inhabitants) in North Central Florida, with highly-rated primary and secondary schools, an active start-up environment, a rich cultural scene, and year-long outdoor recreation activities.

The successful candidate will address evolutionary questions related to plants or eukaryotic algae at any level of biological organization (metabolites to ecosystems) using genome-scale approaches, and mentor trainees at all levels. The candidate is expected to teach courses in modern comparative biology or evolutionary genomics at the graduate level and courses in the undergraduate Botany major (e.g., Practical Plant Taxonomy; https://botany.biology.ufl.edu/courses/undergrad/). The Department of Biology highly values candidates with professional or lived experiences that enhance competency in teaching, training, and mentoring students from backgrounds that span and intersect all axes of diversity.

Expected Salary:

The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, and the compensation includes a full benefits package.

Minimum Requirements:
Candidates are expected to have a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:
Additional research and teaching experience post-Ph.D. is also desired.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, click on Apply Now at the top of this posting.

A complete application includes (1) a letter of application summarizing the applicant's qualifications, interests, and suitability for the position, (2) a complete curriculum vitae, (3) an up to two-page Research Statement, (4) an up to two-page Teaching Statement, (5) an up to two-page Diversity Statement focused on inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility; and (6) a list of at least three references. The Research, Teaching, and Diversity Statements should each provide specific details on prior experience/accomplishments and future goals/plans. After initial review, confidential letters of recommendation will be requested from references.

Applications will be reviewed beginning December 1, 2022, and the position will remain open until filled. Only complete applications will be reviewed at this time. Applications received after this date may be considered at the discretion of the committee and/or hiring authority.

All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a review of criminal records, reference checks, and verification of education.

The 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 educational institution outside of the United States require evaluation by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the 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. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law. If an accommodation due to disability is needed in order to apply for this position, please call (352) 392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at (800) 955-8771 (TDD).

The Department of Biology particularly welcomes applicants who can contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. Please see https://diversity.clas.ufl.edu/diversity-statement/ for more information about diversity and inclusion in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The university and greater Gainesville communities enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.

Health Assessment Required:
No