Research Assistant Scientist - Phenomics and Digital Breeding Team Leader

University of Florida • Gainesville, FL

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) at the University of Florida is seeking a Research Assistant Scientist to serve as the Phenomics and Digital Breeding Team Leader within the Horticultural Sciences Department. This 12-month, non-tenure-accruing, 100% research position is part of the Blueberry Breeding Program. The role involves integrating advanced technologies and data-driven approaches to accelerate cultivar development, elaborating research lines, managing projects, securing collaboration and funds, and implementing robotics and computer vision-based systems for high-throughput phenotyping, multi-domain data integration, and target environment prediction. The research outcomes will support Florida's agriculture sector, and the faculty member will be responsible for reporting progress, outputs, and impacts to stakeholders.

Requirements

• A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in plant breeding, agricultural engineering, computer science or a closely related discipline.
• Hands-on experience in areas involving plant breeding technologies, field trials, high-throughput phenotyping, computer vision, and data-driven machine learning/AI approaches.
• 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

• Postdoctoral experience or equivalent industry experience in plant breeding, phenomics, or digital agriculture, working with blueberry or any specialty crops.
• Experience integrating multi-domain datasets (phenomics, genomics, environomics) for decision-making or prediction.
• Experience with computer vision, UAVs, robotics, or automation in agricultural systems.
• Experience collaborating with industry partners and translating research into applied outcomes.
• Demonstrated project management and leadership experience, including building collaborations among a variety of interdisciplinary scientific teams.
• Grant writing and budgeting for scientific discovery.
• Multi-lingual to operate in an international context.
• Supervision skills for communications and administrative staff.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Phenomics and Digital Breeding Team Leader.
• Work closely with the Blueberry Breeding Program’s Director to integrate advanced technologies and data-driven approaches.
• Accelerate the development of superior cultivars.
• Elaborate research lines.
• Manage projects.
• Secure collaboration and funds.
• Actively support the implementation of robotics and computer vision-based systems for high-throughput phenotyping, multi-domain data integration, target environment prediction, and other key areas.
• Report progress, outputs, and impacts to interested stakeholders.

What This Job Offers

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