Position Announcement
Title: Assistant Professor–Ornamental and Landscape Invasive Weed Management
Location: Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Apopka, Florida
Salary: Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience
Review date: To ensure full consideration please apply online and submit additional materials by February 1, 2014. Position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.
Duties and Responsibilities
This is a 12-month tenure-accruing position that will be 60% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 40% extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), available in the Mid-Florida 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. Tenure will be in the Department of Environmental Horticulture.
This faculty member will address a research and extension program that focuses on developing chemical and non-chemical weed management practices in ornamental nursery, floriculture, foliage and cut foliage production and non-turf areas of urban/suburban landscapes, emphasizing a holistic approach. This is one of several new positions allocated to enhance the recently formed Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology (CLCE) in IFAS. As such, this faculty member will work in partnership with other faculty members in CLCE and with industry groups in effectively promoting sustainable landscape management practices to urban audiences and evaluating the impact of CLCE programs and projects. The individual will work closely with the Center for Landscape Ecology and Conservation faculty, Environmental Horticulture faculty, colleagues in Gainesville other Research and Education Centers, and industry to develop a competitive research program. The faculty member is expected to publish research results in national and international refereed and non-refereed journals. The extension duties will focus on providing clientele with information on weed management to provide best management practices in urban/suburban landscapes, as well as in nurseries.Extension activities will be coordinated with Department, Center and County faculty participating in the Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology and the Florida Friendly Landscape program.
Tenure will accrue in the Department of Environmental Horticulture. The successful candidate will participate actively in graduate education by chairing and serving on graduate committees, supervising thesis and dissertation 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. The faculty member will seek contract and grant funding actively to support his/her program. The faculty member will engage in Extension activities in his or her program area. Involvement in national and international professional societies is expected. All IFAS faculty are expected to demonstrate commitment and responsibility to the three functions of the Land Grant mission.
Qualifications
An earned doctorate in Environmental Horticulture or a closely related discipline with emphasis on landscape management is required. Postdoctoral experience is desirable. 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 IFAS core values of excellence, diversity, global involvement, and accountability.
Background Information
The Mid-Florida Research and Education Center is a unit of the Institute of Flood and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) at the University of Florida and has diverse research and extension programs, with fourteen faculty members working with a variety of crops and organisms. The research team at MREC includes three entomologists, five horticulturists, one plant geneticist, one horticulture economist and two plant pathologists and the Director. There are ample opportunities to participate in campus and departmental activities, joint research projects and in graduate student training. MREC is located 15 miles northwest of Orlando and 94 miles south of the main campus in Gainesville, and in proximity to a large concentration of greenhouse and landscape ornamental commercial facilities. The Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology (http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/clce/) is a multidisciplinary unit composed of faculty from Environmental Horticulture (landscape design and management, Florida Friendly Landscaping), Agricultural and Biological Engineering (water specialists), Agricultural Education and Communication (social marketing and program evaluation), Soil and Water Science (chemical fate and transport), Food and Resource Economics (economic impact of the green industry), and Entomology and Nematology (urban pest identification and control).
The University of Florida (http://www.ufl.edu) is a Land-Grant and Sea-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than 48,000 students. UF is a member of The Association of American Universities. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (http://ifas.ufl.edu) includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (http://cals.ufl.edu), the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station (http://research.ifas.ufl.edu), the Florida Cooperative Extension Service (http://extension.ifas.ufl.edu), the College of Veterinary Medicine (http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu), and encompasses 15 academic departments and the School of Forest Resources and Conservation, 9 interdisciplinary centers, 13 research and educational centers throughout the state, and Cooperative Extension units in each of Florida's 67 counties and the Seminole Tribe. The School of Natural Resources and Environment is an interdisciplinary unit housed in IFAS and managed by several colleges on campus. IFAS employs over 3400 people, which includes approximately 950 faculty and 2450 support personnel located in Gainesville and throughout the state. IFAS, one of the nation’s largest agricultural and natural resources research and education organizations, is administered by a Senior 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.
Employment Conditions
This position is available February 1, 2014, and will be filled as soon thereafter as an acceptable applicant is available. 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 # 0904524
Dr. Jianjun Chen
Chair, Search and Screen Committee
University of Florida
Mid-Florida Research and Education Center
2725 S. Binion Rd
Apopka, FL 32703
Telephone: 407-884-2034
Facsimile: 407-814-6186
Electronic Mail: jjchen@ufl.edu
Application Information
- Individuals wishing to apply should go online to https://jobs.ufl.edu and submit:
- General application
- Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above
- Resume
- Official transcripts showing receipt of the doctoral degree and three letters of recommendation should be sent to:
Please refer to Requisition # 0904524
Dr. Jianjun Chen
Chair, Search and Screen Committee
University of Florida
Mid-Florida Research and Education Center
2725 S. Binion Rd
Apopka, FL 32703
Telephone: 407-884-2034
Facsimile: 407-814-6186
Electronic Mail: jjchen@ufl.edu
The University of Florida is an equal opportunity and equal access employer. The “government in the sunshine” laws of Florida require that all documents relating to the search process, including letters of application, nomination, and reference, except transcripts, be available for public inspection. Persons with disabilities have the right to request and receive reasonable accommodation.
Attached Files: