Assistant Professor Tomato Genetics

Assistant Professor Tomato Genetics

Job No: 525269
Work Type:
Location: Hillsborough
Categories: RealCat
Department: 60750000 - AG-GCREC - BALM

Job Description


Classification Title:
Ast Prof

Job Description:

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is committed to creating an environment of inclusive excellence that affirms diversity across a variety of dimensions, including ability, class, ethnicity/race, gender identity and expression. Inclusive excellence is the active process of including and respecting everyone as we strive for excellence and equitable outcomes in all we do at the University of Florida. 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 20% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences) and 80% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station), available in the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma, Florida with the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. The successful candidate will develop a nationally recognized tomato genetics program that translates basic discoveries into breeding applications in close collaboration with the tomato breeding program at GCREC. Areas of research will include gene discovery, modification and selection through next-generation genomics and genetic engineering methods. The faculty member will also actively collaborate with an interdisciplinary statewide team of other research and extension personnel that include horticulturalists, plant pathologists, entomologists, nematologists, weed scientists, and county extension agents whose goal is to enhance and sustain the tomato industry in Florida.

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. Specifically, the faculty member is expected to become an active member of the Plant Breeding Graduate Program in instructional and advising capacities. Teaching faculty are encouraged to support and participate in the CALS Honors Program, distance education, and international education.

Tenure will accrue in the Department of Horticultural Sciences. 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. 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 Gulf Coast Research and Education Center has diverse research, extension and teaching programs with 25 faculty members located at Wimauma (35 minutes drive from downtown Tampa) and the Plant City teaching program, with specialization in agricultural education and communications, economics, geomatics, horticulture, pest management, plant breeding, and resource management. GCREC is a modern research and education facility that includes offices and laboratories, 15 greenhouses, approximately 500 acres of field operations, and housing for up to 16 resident graduate students.

The Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of Florida is currently ranked 9th in the world and 2nd in the U.S. The mission of the Horticultural Sciences Department is to conduct research, extension, and teaching to meet the needs and goals of a diverse statewide fruit and vegetable industry that ranges from tropical to temperate environments. Fundamental research and graduate training in plant genetics, genomics, molecular biology, metabolism, and physiology are integral parts of the Department's activities, and principles-driven fundamental and applied research and extension programs are the hallmark of statewide efforts. The department has 35 faculty members located on campus in Gainesville and 26 faculty located at the Research Centers (RECs) throughout the state.

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Minimum Requirements:

A doctorate degree (foreign equivalent acceptable) in plant genetics or a closely related discipline is required. Candidates must also 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 the UF/IFAS core values of excellence, diversity, global involvement, and accountability

Preferred Qualifications:

Postdoctoral research experience, teaching at the undergraduate and/or or graduate level, and mentoring experience are desirable. Demonstrated skills in translating basic discoveries to applications in plant breeding are also highly preferred.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by March 1, 2023. 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 # 525269

Dr. Vance M. Whitaker

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

Gulf Coast Research and Education Center

14625 County Road 672

Wimauma, FL 33598

Telephone: 813-419-6608

Electronic Mail: vwhitaker@ufl.edu

Application Information

Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF and submit:

Cover letter that states applicant's interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above

Curriculum vitae

Contact information (including email addresses) for three individuals willing to write letters of recommendation

Statement indicating how you will contribute to a culture of workplace diversity and inclusivity

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.

Health Assessment Required:
No



Advertised Salary:

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To apply, visit https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/525269/assistant-professor-tomato-genetics

The University 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. jeid-efa9cb72bc5b124f97e3a8fa5cf511e2