Assistant Professor Conservation Geneticist– Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

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Candidates for this rank shall hold the highest degree appropriate to their field. A candidate shall be expected to demonstrate successful experience pertinent to the position they are being recommended and have demonstrated qualities relevant to the goals of the academic unit in which they will be employed.

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We are seeking a dynamic scholar educator and communicator for a 9-month tenure-accruing appointment available in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (WEC) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida. . The appointment will be 40% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences) and 60% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station).

Our department recognizes the critical role of conservation genetics in informing applied ecological research and guiding natural resource management at state regional national and international levels. Expertise in conservation genetics will strengthen our capacity to address pressing biodiversity challenges through integrative data-driven approaches. This hire is expected to further cement our department as a national leader in wildlife ecology and conservation and contribute to UFs reputation as an outstanding institution for natural resources research and education. Our wildlife program encompasses both basic and applied research involving a wide breadth of organisms.

Duties and Responsibilities

Assigned responsibilities will include: (1) Developing an internationally recognized research program that incorporates broadly defined genetic approaches in the study of wildlife ecology and conservation; (2) teaching 2 courses annually in the general area of conservation genetics including WIS 3533C Conservation Genetics a core course in our undergraduate curriculum. This course covers an introduction to the organization of genetic information what evolutionary and demographic forces act to shape genetic polymorphisms and how and why genetics is useful in conservation and management. The successful applicant will also develop a course in the area of their expertise.

We are seeking candidates who excel in applying genetic approaches to advance the study of wildlife ecology and conservation. Examples of qualified candidates include those who 1) emphasize applied genetic and genomic approaches to the study of wildlife management and conservation; 2) imbed their work within ecological and evolutionary principles and have a proven ability and/or desire to work across taxonomic groups; 3) use the latest in genomic and bioinformatic approaches (e.g. whole genome sequencing eDNA and Metabarcoding) for studying terrestrial vertebrates.

The successful candidate will also engage in activities related to instruction including teaching mentoring and supervising undergraduate and graduate students in research and creative work curriculum revision and enhancement and engaging in professional teaching development activities for which there are many resources available to UF faculty.

Because of the IFAS land-grant mission all faculty are expected to be supportive of and engaged in three mission areasResearch Teaching and Extensionregardless of the assignment split specified in the position description.

Background Information:

The University of Florida is a Land-Grant Sea-Grant and Space-Grant institution encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines with an enrollment of more than 56000 students. UF is a member of The Association of American Universities. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station the Florida Cooperative Extension Service the College of Veterinary Medicine the Florida Sea Grant program and encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments and schools 12 Research and Educational Centers (REC) located throughout the state 6 Research sites/demonstration units administered by RECs or academic departments and Florida Cooperative Extension Service offices in all 67 counties (counties operate and maintain). The School of Natural Resources and Environment is an interdisciplinary unit housed in IFAS and managed by several colleges on campus. UF/IFAS employs nearly 4500 people which includes approximately 990 salaried faculty and 1400 permanent support personnel located in Gainesville and throughout the state. IFAS one of the nations largest agricultural and natural resources research and education organizations is administered by a Vice President and four deans: the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences the Dean for Extension and Director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service the Dean for Research and Director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station and the Dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine. UF/IFAS also engages in cooperative work with Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

The University of Florida launched a $1 billion initiative to establish itself as one of the countrys most preeminent institutions of higher education in artificial intelligence; including a $70 million artificial intelligence partnership with NVIDIA a planned 19000-square-foot AI hub at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center and hosts HiPerGator the third most powerful computer among educational institutions in the world.

The programs of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation emphasize biological and human dimensions of wildlife ecology and conservation in local to international arenas. The Departments existing strengths in spatial ecology population modeling wildlife disease ecology conservation genetics and environmental communication among others support strong collaborations. Department faculty may be affiliated with the Center for Latin American Studies Center for African Studies and the School of Natural Resources and the Environment. Also housed within the Department is the USGS Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit whose principal focus is on wetlands ecology coastal ecology decision science and endangered and threatened species conservation and management. The nearby 3600-hectare Ordway-Swisher Biological Station provides an outdoor laboratory for teaching and a site for long-term field research and has been designated as a National Science Foundation NEON core site.

Several units on or nearby the University of Florida campus complement the teaching and research programs of the Department including The Florida Climate Institute an interdisciplinary center hosted at UF and comprising 12 Florida universities; the Tropical Conservation and Development Program in the Center for Latin American Studies; Center for Wetlands; UF Biodiversity Institute Florida Museum of Natural History; the Florida Field Station (Gainesville) of the U.S.D.A. Wildlife Research Laboratory; the Wildlife Research Laboratory of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; the Wetlands Aquatic Research Center (WARC) of the US Geological Survey and others.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

A doctorate (PhD or DPhil) (foreign equivalent acceptable) from a relevant field is required. We expect some formal training in ecology and/or conservation biology to be demonstrated. Candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to teaching mentoring and promoting a varied educational and professional environment. They should show willingness to work with natural resource agencies NGOs and other interested parties. Candidates will demonstrate their skills in verbal and written communication interpersonal relationships across cultures and commitment to grantsmanship. Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system. Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.

Preferred qualifications/attributes: While meeting the required qualifications is the foundation for consideration we are particularly interested in candidates who display excellence in one or more of the following:

1. Conservation genomics: application of genomic data and technologies to study and manage biodiversity providing key insights into species survival and management (e.g. understanding key genetic variation species delineation and hybridization population connectivity adaptation and fitness forensics and wildlife management)
2. Publication record: a strong record of publications in peer-reviewed journals showing potential to develop a research program that complements and expands on the departments current strengths.
3. Interdisciplinary collaboration: bridges gaps between genetics and other disciplines such as landscape ecology field ecology global change and disease ecology.
4. Leadership experience: roles within organizations/projects that demonstrate interpersonal and organizational skills.
5. Stakeholder engagement: experience and/or willingness to work with local state and federal natural resource agencies NGOs and private landowners.
6. Communication: experience in training and communicating genetics research to managers
7. Global perspective: brings a broad perspective to local topics or issues; extrapolates research results beyond immediate projects.
8. Professional recognition: grants awards speaking engagements and professional appointments.
9. Teaching and mentoring: experience with graduate and undergraduate students and fostering learning environments that facilitate student learning and growth.

Review of application materials will begin on February 27 2026 and will continue until a viable applicant pool is established. Interviews are expected to begin in early April 2026.

Employment Conditions

This position is available in August 2026 but the start date is negotiable. Compensation is commensurate with the education experience and qualifications of the selected applicant.

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 # 538497

Robert McCleery

Chair Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

PO Box 110430

Gainesville FL 32605

Telephone:

Facsimile:

Electronic Mail:

Application Information

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

• Cover letter that states applicants interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above
• Curriculum vitae
• Teaching and mentoring statement on philosophy and practice (1 page max)
• Research statement aligning current and future research program with this position (2-pages max)
• 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 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 and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events restaurants year-round outdoor recreational activities and social opportunities.