Assistant or Associate Professor in Remote Sensing

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

69d•Onsite

About The Position

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) at the University of Florida is seeking a tenure-accruing faculty member for a 9-month position, split between teaching (30%) and research (70%). This role will focus on developing active, nationally recognized research and teaching programs in remote sensing technologies and techniques to detect, describe, and predict threats impacting agricultural and natural systems, and to evaluate mitigation strategies. The successful candidate will develop theoretical/foundational algorithms in remote sensing and/or sensor development (hardware) using various sensors like fluorescence, hyperspectral and multispectral optical sensing, LiDAR, and/or Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Applications may include satellite-based spatio-temporal remote sensing for soil and plant nutrients/organic matter, ecosystem health (agriculture, rangelands, forests), natural hazards, land use/cover changes, and water quality. The position complements existing expertise in Unmanned Airborne Systems (UAS) and precision agriculture. For teaching, the candidate will develop an undergraduate course in remote sensing techniques or sensor development for non-engineering students, and a graduate-level course based on their research expertise. The role requires embracing the land-grant university missions of research, extension, and teaching, with potential for assignments to vary based on departmental needs. The candidate is expected to integrate knowledge from environmental science and engineering, hydrology, crop/rangeland systems, forest systems, artificial intelligence, computer science, and/or electrical engineering, and collaborate effectively across disciplines. Affiliation with the Center for Remote Sensing is expected. The candidate must establish a strong, externally funded research program, develop collaborations, promote research in professional societies, and maintain sustained publication activity. The position also involves participation in departmental academic life, seeking grant funding, engaging in extension activities, and scholarly activities related to instruction, including advising and mentoring students. Faculty are encouraged to support distance education and international education. All faculty are expected to be supportive of and engaged in all three mission areas: Research, Teaching, and Extension.

Requirements

A Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
Ability to integrate the use of remote sensing technologies for management of agricultural or natural systems.
Strong background in remote sensing analysis and modeling of complex environmental systems.
Demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication.
Demonstrated skills in interpersonal relationships.
Demonstrated skills in procurement of extramural funding.
Supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system.
Commitment to UF core values.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in remote sensing sensors, applications and/or theory leveraging multiple sensor platforms.
Experience developing or using Artificial Intelligence and other analysis methods.
Postdoctoral experience.
A clearly established publication record in areas related to this position.

Responsibilities

Develop active, successful, nationally recognized research and teaching programs in remote sensing technologies and techniques.
Detect, describe, and predict threats impacting agricultural and natural systems and evaluate mitigation strategies.
Develop theoretical/foundational algorithms in remote sensing and/or sensor development (hardware) utilizing a variety of sensors.
Apply remote sensing to areas such as soil and plant nutrients/organic matter, ecosystem health, natural hazards, land use/cover changes, and water quality.
Develop an undergraduate course in remote sensing techniques or sensor development for non-engineering students.
Develop a graduate-level course derived from the candidate’s research expertise.
Embrace all three missions of research, extension, and teaching of the land-grant university system.
Integrate knowledge from multiple academic domains.
Interact effectively with other researchers across disciplines.
Establish the basis for a strong, externally funded research program.
Develop active collaborations with other faculty and research partners.
Promote research activity and leadership in professional societies.
Participate in all activities of departmental academic life (research groups, mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students, and academic service activities).
Work closely with other faculty in IFAS, the College of Engineering, and other institutes.
Seek contracts and grant funding actively to support their program.
Engage in Extension activities in their program area.
Engage in scholarly activities related to instruction, including teaching courses, advising and mentoring students, participating in curriculum revision, seeking funding for the teaching program, supervising research, publishing teaching-related scholarship, producing learning tools, and engaging in professional development activities related to teaching and advising.
Support and participate in the CALS Honors Program, distance education, and international education.