The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. 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 .

The Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) Department and Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida (UF), seeks a post-doctoral associate in soil/plant science or engineering to work on a state-funded multi-disciplinary project that is evaluating and developing phosphorus (P) best management practices (BMPs) and site-specific nutrient management. This project takes a systems approach in conducting experiments on high-value fresh market crops (tomato, potato, and bean) under varying nutrient (phosphorus) inputs, irrigation and drainage, and hydrologic conditions. Activities include collecting and analyzing plant, soil, irrigation, hydrologic, weather, and economic data to determine optimum nutrient inputs under different geophysical conditions. The incumbent will interact with a team of post-docs and project staff (horticulture, engineering, soil science, biophysical modeling), technical staff (computer science, economics, engineering, plant science), graduate students, faculty, and the fresh produce industry to analyze 3-year plant (UAV images, health, biomass, yield, fruit quality), soil physical and chemical (P, Ca, Al, Fe, pH etc), hydrologic (soil moisture, groundwater depth, evapotranspiration), weather, and irrigation (management and water quality) data. The incumbent will study relationships between nutrient uptake and use efficiency including environmental losses, yield, fertilizer rates, and soil chemical concentrations and interactions with weather and hydrologic factors to develop a decision support system for site-specific nutrient recommendations that meet economic and environmental goals. Responsibilities include data collection from participating farms, supervising project staff (field technicians, biological scientist, and/or students), data analyses, preparing reports, manuscripts and proposals, and presentations at conferences and stakeholder meetings. The incumbent will work with UF faculty from the departments of ABE, Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences, Horticultural Sciences, Statistics, Food and Resource Economics, Plant Pathology, and Entomology and Nematology.

Background Information:

The University of Florida is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than 56,000 students. UF is a member of The Association of American Universities. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Florida Sea Grant program, and encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments and schools, 12 Research and Educational Centers (REC) located throughout the state, 6 Research sites/demonstration units administered by RECs or academic departments, and Florida Cooperative Extension Service offices in all 67 counties (counties operate and maintain). The School of Natural Resources and Environment is an interdisciplinary unit housed in IFAS and managed by several colleges on campus. UF/IFAS employs nearly 4,500 people, which includes approximately 990 salaried faculty and 1,400 permanent support personnel located in Gainesville and throughout the state. IFAS, one of the nation’s largest agricultural and natural resources research and education organizations, is administered by a Vice President and four deans: the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Dean for Extension and Director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the Dean for Research and Director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine. UF/IFAS also engages in cooperative work with Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Applicants must have Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Soil Science, Agronomy, Agricultural/Biological Engineering or a related discipline. Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system. Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.

Applicants with research experience in the processes that control P forms, bioavailability, plant uptake, mobility, and management for developing soil test-based P management recommendations are highly desirable. A strong background in statistics and machine learning especially as applied to nutrient and water management of crops are a plus.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

• Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF and submit:
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 individuals willing to write letters of recommendation

Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws.

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information, and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.

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.