University of Florida
Assistant Professor of Specialty Crop and Ornamental Plant Breeding
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, us, 32635
Assistant Professor of Specialty Crop and Ornamental Plant Breeding
Job No:
536523 Work Type:
Full Time Location:
Orange Categories:
Biology/Life Science, Agricultural Sciences Department:
60870000 - AG-MREC-APOPKA Job Description The
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. 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 12-month tenure-accruing position that will be 80% Research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 20% Extension (UF/IFAS), at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. Tenure will accrue in the Department of Horticultural Sciences. The successful candidate will develop an extramurally funded, nationally-recognized research and extension program emphasizing breeding of specialty and ornamental crops. The program will use both traditional and advanced methods for improving quality traits, abiotic and biotic stress (disease/insect) resistance and improving aesthetic quality of crops through consumer-friendly precision breeding and/or other similar genetic techniques. The program will focus on developing specialty crops that can be grown in greenhouse or other protected culture. As appropriate, the incumbent may also work on fruit crops. This faculty member will integrate into the existing genetic program emphasizing precision breeding and environmental crop tissue and cell culture programs and be expected to work in partnership with other inter- and intradepartmental faculty members as well as lead industry groups to develop a competitive research program. The incumbent is expected to collaborate with horticulturists, entomologists, plant pathologists, geneticists and plant breeders, to develop horticulturally desirable end-products for consumers. The incumbent will also be expected to obtain extramurally funding to support the breeding program and graduate students. This faculty member will participate in UF/IFAS Extension programming through the development and teaching of extension materials for outreach to Florida stakeholders. The faculty member is expected to publish research and extension results in national and international refereed and non-refereed journals. Tenure will accrue in the Department of Horticultural Sciences. 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. The faculty member will actively seek contract and grant funding to support his/her program. Involvement in national and international professional societies is expected. 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 UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) in Apopka, Florida is one of 12 University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Research and Education Centers. Located in the heart of Florida (just north of Orlando), the MREC is a center for research, teaching, and extension programs. The Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of Florida has a variety of research, teaching, and extension programs with focus areas including Plant Physiology and Biochemistry; Plant Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology; Crop Production and Management; Postharvest Biology and Technology; Organic and Sustainable Horticulture; and Weed Science. IFAS emphasizes Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, Plant Breeding and Genetics, and related expertise; emphasis is placed on developing cultivars adapted to subtropical climates. Required Qualifications: Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Genetics, Plant Breeding, Plant Biology, Horticultural Science or a closely-related field. Knowledge of molecular and traditional plant breeding techniques and new cultivar development. Strong record of publishing in refereed journals. Demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, interpersonal relationships, and extramural funding procurement. Supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system and UF core values. Preferred: Postdoctoral experience is desirable. Special Instructions to Applicants: For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by September 5, 2025. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined. Nominations: Nominations are welcome. Nominations should include the complete name and address of the nominee and be sent to the chair of the Search and Screen Committee under Requisition # 536523. Dr. Jianjun Chen Chair, Search and Screen Committee University of Florida Mid-Florida REC 2725 Binion Rd., Apopka, FL 32703-8504 Phone: (407) 884-2034 Fax: (407) 814-6186 Electronic Mail:
jjchen@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 3 individuals willing to write letters of recommendation Unofficial transcripts 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 must be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and supports a diverse community. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF. Applications Close:
To apply, visit
https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/536523 Our Commitment:
The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and supports a diverse community. Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the U.S. The University is subject to Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. If an accommodation 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Job No:
536523 Work Type:
Full Time Location:
Orange Categories:
Biology/Life Science, Agricultural Sciences Department:
60870000 - AG-MREC-APOPKA Job Description The
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. 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 12-month tenure-accruing position that will be 80% Research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 20% Extension (UF/IFAS), at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. Tenure will accrue in the Department of Horticultural Sciences. The successful candidate will develop an extramurally funded, nationally-recognized research and extension program emphasizing breeding of specialty and ornamental crops. The program will use both traditional and advanced methods for improving quality traits, abiotic and biotic stress (disease/insect) resistance and improving aesthetic quality of crops through consumer-friendly precision breeding and/or other similar genetic techniques. The program will focus on developing specialty crops that can be grown in greenhouse or other protected culture. As appropriate, the incumbent may also work on fruit crops. This faculty member will integrate into the existing genetic program emphasizing precision breeding and environmental crop tissue and cell culture programs and be expected to work in partnership with other inter- and intradepartmental faculty members as well as lead industry groups to develop a competitive research program. The incumbent is expected to collaborate with horticulturists, entomologists, plant pathologists, geneticists and plant breeders, to develop horticulturally desirable end-products for consumers. The incumbent will also be expected to obtain extramurally funding to support the breeding program and graduate students. This faculty member will participate in UF/IFAS Extension programming through the development and teaching of extension materials for outreach to Florida stakeholders. The faculty member is expected to publish research and extension results in national and international refereed and non-refereed journals. Tenure will accrue in the Department of Horticultural Sciences. 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. The faculty member will actively seek contract and grant funding to support his/her program. Involvement in national and international professional societies is expected. 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 UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) in Apopka, Florida is one of 12 University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Research and Education Centers. Located in the heart of Florida (just north of Orlando), the MREC is a center for research, teaching, and extension programs. The Horticultural Sciences Department at the University of Florida has a variety of research, teaching, and extension programs with focus areas including Plant Physiology and Biochemistry; Plant Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology; Crop Production and Management; Postharvest Biology and Technology; Organic and Sustainable Horticulture; and Weed Science. IFAS emphasizes Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology, Plant Breeding and Genetics, and related expertise; emphasis is placed on developing cultivars adapted to subtropical climates. Required Qualifications: Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Genetics, Plant Breeding, Plant Biology, Horticultural Science or a closely-related field. Knowledge of molecular and traditional plant breeding techniques and new cultivar development. Strong record of publishing in refereed journals. Demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, interpersonal relationships, and extramural funding procurement. Supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system and UF core values. Preferred: Postdoctoral experience is desirable. Special Instructions to Applicants: For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by September 5, 2025. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined. Nominations: Nominations are welcome. Nominations should include the complete name and address of the nominee and be sent to the chair of the Search and Screen Committee under Requisition # 536523. Dr. Jianjun Chen Chair, Search and Screen Committee University of Florida Mid-Florida REC 2725 Binion Rd., Apopka, FL 32703-8504 Phone: (407) 884-2034 Fax: (407) 814-6186 Electronic Mail:
jjchen@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 3 individuals willing to write letters of recommendation Unofficial transcripts 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 must be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and supports a diverse community. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF. Applications Close:
To apply, visit
https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/536523 Our Commitment:
The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and supports a diverse community. Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the U.S. The University is subject to Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. If an accommodation 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr