AssistantAssociate Professor (Plant Breeder)
Job Location:
Palm Beach, FL - USA
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
| Classification Title: | Ast/Aso Prof |
|---|---|
| Classification Minimum Requirements: | 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. |
| Job Description: | This is a 12-month tenure-accruing position that will be 70 % research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 30 % extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service) available in the Everglades Research and Education Center Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. Duties will include improving lettuce cultivars of cos (romaine) and crisphead (iceberg) types for Florida production. Focus on improving other types of lettuce such as leaf butterhead niche and other leafy vegetables. Provide lettuce breeding lines and cultivars adapted to different environmental conditions throughout the state with an emphasis on the Florida Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) where 90% of lettuce is cultivated. Other leafy vegetables such as spinach chard and kale are cultivated in the EAA for baby leaf production and support for the baby leaf industry on field production issues such as diseases affecting this industry is expected. This program evaluates the genetics of traits to develop lettuce cultivars adapted to Florida using multi-disciplinary research approaches in disease resistance heat tolerance nutrient use efficiency weed management postharvest technology and alternative lettuce production systems such as protected structures. Interaction with stakeholders breeders in other states and federal agencies and vegetable grower organizations (including Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association) is important to this position. Tenure will accrue in the Department of Horticultural Sciences. The faculty member is expected to release new horticulturally acceptable varieties publish research results in refereed journals produce extension publications and instructional materials and to seek contract and grant funding actively to support his/her program. The faculty member will engage in Extension activities in their program area. The successful candidate will participate actively in undergraduate and graduate education by chairing and serving on graduate committees supervising thesis dissertation and undergraduate research and publishing research results with students. Faculty are encouraged to participate in professional development activities related to teaching and advising and may teach courses and seminars. Because of the IFAS land-grant mission all faculty are expected to be supportive of and engaged in all 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. |
| Expected Salary: | Commensurate with Education and Experience |
| Required Qualifications: | A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Plant breeding Horticulture or a closely related discipline is required. Postdoctoral experience is required. The applicant must have experience with and a strong understanding of plant breeding with focus on cultivar development as well as molecular techniques used in crop improvement. Ability and self-motivation to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with research and extension faculty and vegetable growers are essential. 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 UF core values. |
| Preferred: | Experience in leafy vegetable breeding programs is highly desirable but not required. |
| Special Instructions to Applicants: | For full consideration candidates should apply and submit materials by August 18 2026. 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 # 540388 Dr. Calvin Odero Chair Search and Screen Committee University of Florida Everglades Research and Education Center 3200 E Palm Beach Road Belle Glade FL 33430 Phone: Fax: Application Information
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. |
| Health Assessment Required: | No |
Required Experience:
IC
About Company
A top five public land-grant research university, the University of Florida creates a collaborative environment and accelerates future solutions.
