Assistant/Associate Professor of Urban Entomology - Florida Pest Management Association (FPMA) Endowed

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

About The Position

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences [http://ifas.ufl.edu] is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. 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 [https://hr.ufl.edu/manager-resources/recruitment-staffing/institutional-equity-diversity/ada-and-accessibility-services-for-uf-employees-and-job-applicants/] . This is a 12-month tenure-accruing position that will be 60% Extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service) and 40% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) available in the Entomology and Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida based in Gainesville, FL. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. Tenure will accrue in the Entomology and Nematology Department. The incumbent is expected to have access to funds from the Florida Pest Management Association (FPMA) Professorship endowment to support their Extension and research programs. Expected Duties The successful candidate will develop a well-rounded Extension program that addresses the needs of stakeholders regarding pests in and around structures and the built environment. Due to its geographic location, Florida is regularly challenged with emerging and invasive pest threats. As such, the Extension program is intended to be responsive and adaptive to an ever-changing urban and structural pest landscape. The program is expected to focus on developing Extension publications, seminars and other educational materials that focus on urban and structural pest identification and management to reduce economic losses and impacts of pestiferous species as per the needs of local, state, and national industries, business owners, and the general public. The candidate will actively develop innovative training programs geared towards a broad range of clientele that includes but is not limited to (i) professionals in the urban and structural pest management industry, (ii) IFAS county Extension staff and (iii) members of the general public who intend to seek employment in the pest management industry. The successful candidate will also develop an internationally recognized and extramurally funded research program that addresses issues related to pests in and around structures and the built environment including but not limited to ant pests, stored product pests, wood destroying pests, cockroaches, bed bugs, and occasional home-invading pests. The faculty member will actively seek contract and grant funding to support their program. This is a broad-based search. Entomologists that are strongly motivated to address important questions promoting sustainable and integrated management-based solutions for pests in and around structures and the built environment are encouraged to apply. Urban and structural pest management is a strength at UF with 8 entomology faculty working in this area. The incumbent will complement and synergize the strengths of these faculty programs through collaborations. Opportunities also exist for collaboration with a wide range of entomologists and scientists from other disciplines on the Gainesville campus, at UF Research and Education Centers, IFAS County extension, regulators for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, USDA Research Scientists, and the various pest management associations in Florida, nationally and internationally. 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 areas—Research, Teaching and Extension—regardless of the assignment split specified in the position description.

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.
A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Entomology, Biology, or a closely related discipline is required.
Candidates should have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, publication in peer-reviewed journals, 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

Nice To Haves

Postdoctoral or related professional experience is desirable.
Knowledge of urban and structural pest management practices, household insect pest identification skills, and evidence of interactions with pest management industry are preferred.
Basic knowledge of laws and regulations related to pesticides and the structural pest management industry is desirable.

Responsibilities

Develop a well-rounded Extension program that addresses the needs of stakeholders regarding pests in and around structures and the built environment.
Focus on developing Extension publications, seminars and other educational materials that focus on urban and structural pest identification and management to reduce economic losses and impacts of pestiferous species as per the needs of local, state, and national industries, business owners, and the general public.
Actively develop innovative training programs geared towards a broad range of clientele that includes but is not limited to (i) professionals in the urban and structural pest management industry, (ii) IFAS county Extension staff and (iii) members of the general public who intend to seek employment in the pest management industry.
Develop an internationally recognized and extramurally funded research program that addresses issues related to pests in and around structures and the built environment including but not limited to ant pests, stored product pests, wood destroying pests, cockroaches, bed bugs, and occasional home-invading pests.
Actively seek contract and grant funding to support their program.
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.
Participate in professional development activities related to teaching and advising and may teach courses and seminars.

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