Assistant/Associate Professor – Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences; Nutrient Management Specialist

University of Florida

23h•Onsite

About The Position

This is a 12-month tenure-accruing position that will be 40% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 60% extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), available at the Range Cattle Research and Education Center (RCREC), 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 accrue in the Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department. The faculty member will develop efficient and economical land use and nutrient management practices to improve forage growth and quality for beef and dairy systems in central and south Florida. Research responsibilities include field and laboratory studies on nutrient requirements of forage crops grown for hay or in multiforage grazing systems, and establishing relationships among forage nutrient needs, soil tests, and plant tissue analyses aligned with the 4Rs of fertilizer management. Additional research may address nutrient cycling, soil health, and minimizing nutrient losses, as well as integrating AI and/or precision agriculture. The position requires close collaboration with hydrology and water quality, agronomy, and animal science faculty at RCREC and other UF/IFAS units, as well as engagement with stakeholders such as the Florida Cattlemen's Association, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agricultural Water Policy, and Water Management Districts to ensure programs align with industry priorities. Extension duties include supporting county faculty in implementing best management practices for forage production, soil health, and water quality. The faculty member will set research and extension priorities; conduct experiments and demonstrations; publish refereed and extension materials; deliver presentations to a variety of audiences; and seek extramural funding. The successful candidate will participate actively in undergraduate and graduate education by chairing and serving on graduate committees, supervising dissertation, thesis, and undergraduate research, and publishing research results with students. Faculty are encouraged to participate in professional development activities related to teaching and advising. Faculty may also teach courses and guest lecture. 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

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Soil, Water, and/or Ecosystem Sciences, Agronomy, or a closely related discipline is required.
Demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication.
Demonstrated skills in interpersonal relationships.
Demonstrated skills in procurement of extramural funding.
Must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system.
Must have a commitment to UF core values.

Nice To Haves

Postdoctoral experience.
Evidence of developing an independent research program.
Working effectively with local clientele.

Responsibilities

Develop efficient and economical land use and nutrient management practices to improve forage growth and quality for beef and dairy systems in central and south Florida.
Conduct field and laboratory studies on nutrient requirements of forage crops grown for hay or in multiforage grazing systems.
Establish relationships among forage nutrient needs, soil tests, and plant tissue analyses aligned with the 4Rs of fertilizer management.
Conduct research on nutrient cycling, soil health, and minimizing nutrient losses.
Integrate AI and/or precision agriculture into research.
Collaborate with hydrology and water quality, agronomy, and animal science faculty at RCREC and other UF/IFAS units.
Engage with stakeholders such as the Florida Cattlemen's Association, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agricultural Water Policy, and Water Management Districts.
Support county faculty in implementing best management practices for forage production, soil health, and water quality.
Set research and extension priorities.
Conduct experiments and demonstrations.
Publish refereed and extension materials.
Deliver presentations to a variety of audiences.
Seek extramural funding.
Participate actively in undergraduate and graduate education by chairing and serving on graduate committees.
Supervise dissertation, thesis, and undergraduate research.
Publish research results with students.
Participate in professional development activities related to teaching and advising.
Teach courses and guest lecture.