Assistant or Associate Professor of Phytopathology in Controlled and Space Environments

University of Florida • Orange, FL

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) at the University of Florida is seeking an Assistant or Associate Professor of Phytopathology. This is a 12-month, tenure-accruing position with a 70% research and 30% teaching assignment, located at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) in Apopka, Florida. The successful candidate will develop a nationally and internationally recognized, extramurally funded, research and teaching program in specialty crops pathology within controlled environment structures and space environments. A particular emphasis will be placed on advancing knowledge of plant disease epidemiology and addressing the unique challenges of managing plant health in Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) for space habitats. The role involves conducting research on pathogen biology, survival, growth, and dispersal under various conditions, including microgravity. It also includes developing and implementing diagnostic tools, investigating novel management strategies, and teaching graduate and undergraduate courses. The position requires publishing research, presenting at professional meetings, collaborating with interdisciplinary faculty and industry partners, actively participating in graduate education, and seeking contract and grant funding. The faculty member will be affiliated with UF’s Astraeus Space Institute, Emerging Pathogens Institute, and Global Food Systems Institute.

Requirements

• A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Horticulture, Biology, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication.
• Demonstrated skills in developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships.
• Demonstrated skills in publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• 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 research experience.
• Prior teaching experience.
• A strong record of publishing in refereed journals.
• Demonstrated expertise in pathology.

Responsibilities

• Develop a nationally and internationally recognized, extramurally funded, research and teaching program in specialty crops pathology in controlled environment structures and space environment.
• Advance knowledge of plant disease epidemiology, with emphasis on addressing challenges in Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) for space habitats.
• Conduct research on pathogen biology, including survival, growth, and dispersal in controlled environments and under microgravity and other extraterrestrial conditions.
• Investigate the effects of microgravity and extraterrestrial conditions on plant resistance mechanisms, pathogen virulence, and disease development.
• Study the aerobiology of globally dispersed plant pathogens as analogs for transport, persistence, and exposure risks on planetary surfaces and in closed habitats.
• Develop and implement advanced diagnostic tools and methodologies for early detection, identification, and monitoring of plant pathogens.
• Investigate novel pathogen and disease management strategies suitable for controlled and space environment systems.
• Develop integrated pest management (IPM) frameworks tailored to controlled and space environment systems.
• Teach graduate and undergraduate courses, including Applied Epidemiology in Controlled and Space Environments and Plant Health in Controlled and Space Environments.
• Publish research results in national and international refereed and non-refereed journals.
• Present research results at professional meetings.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary faculty and industry partners.
• Participate actively in graduate education by chairing and serving on graduate committees and supervising thesis and dissertation research.
• Engage in professional service consistent with the IFAS land-grant mission.
• Actively seek contract and grant funding to support the program.
• Involve in national and international professional societies.
• Be supportive of and engaged in all three mission areas—Research, Teaching and Extension.

Benefits

• 12-month, tenure-accruing position
• Research and teaching assignment
• Access to laboratory, greenhouse, and field research facilities
• Strong partnerships with industry stakeholders
• Affiliation with UF’s Astraeus Space Institute, Emerging Pathogens Institute, and Global Food Systems Institute.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree