Assistant Professor - Conservation Geneticist– Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

About The Position

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences 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 . We are seeking a dynamic scholar, educator, and communicator for a 9-month tenure-accruing appointment available in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (WEC), Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. . The appointment will be 40% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences) and 60% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station). Our department recognizes the critical role of conservation genetics in informing applied ecological research and guiding natural resource management at state, regional, national, and international levels. Expertise in conservation genetics will strengthen our capacity to address pressing biodiversity challenges through integrative, data-driven approaches. This hire is expected to further cement our department as a national leader in wildlife ecology and conservation, and contribute to UF’s reputation as an outstanding institution for natural resources research and education. Our wildlife program encompasses both basic and applied research involving a wide breadth of organisms.

Requirements

A doctorate (PhD or DPhil) (foreign equivalent acceptable) from a relevant field is required.
We expect some formal training in ecology and/or conservation biology to be demonstrated.
Candidates must have a demonstrated commitment to teaching, mentoring, and promoting a varied educational and professional environment.
They should show willingness to work with natural resource agencies, NGOs, and other interested parties.
Candidates will demonstrate their skills in verbal and written communication, interpersonal relationships across cultures, and commitment to grantsmanship.
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

Conservation genomics: application of genomic data and technologies to study and manage biodiversity, providing key insights into species survival and management (e.g., understanding key genetic variation, species delineation and hybridization, population connectivity, adaptation and fitness, forensics and wildlife management)
Publication record: a strong record of publications in peer-reviewed journals, showing potential to develop a research program that complements and expands on the department's current strengths.
Interdisciplinary collaboration: bridges gaps between genetics and other disciplines such as landscape ecology, field ecology, global change, and disease ecology.
Leadership experience: roles within organizations/projects that demonstrate interpersonal and organizational skills.
Stakeholder engagement: experience and/or willingness to work with local, state, and federal natural resource agencies, NGOs, and private landowners.
Communication: experience in training and communicating genetics research to managers
Global perspective: brings a broad perspective to local topics or issues; extrapolates research results beyond immediate projects.
Professional recognition: grants, awards, speaking engagements, and professional appointments.
Teaching and mentoring: experience with graduate and undergraduate students and fostering learning environments that facilitate student learning and growth.

Responsibilities

Developing an internationally recognized research program that incorporates broadly defined genetic approaches in the study of wildlife ecology and conservation
Teaching 2 courses annually in the general area of conservation genetics, including WIS 3533C Conservation Genetics, a core course in our undergraduate curriculum. This course covers an introduction to the organization of genetic information, what evolutionary and demographic forces act to shape genetic polymorphisms, and how and why genetics is useful in conservation and management. The successful applicant will also develop a course in the area of their expertise.
Engaging in activities related to instruction, including teaching, mentoring, and supervising undergraduate and graduate students in research and creative work, curriculum revision and enhancement, and engaging in professional teaching development activities, for which there are many resources available to UF faculty.
Because of the IFAS land-grant mission, all faculty are expected to be supportive of and engaged in three mission areas—Research, Teaching, and Extension—regardless of the assignment split specified in the position description.

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