Assistant/Associate Professor – Improvement of Flavor Profiles of Specialty Crops

Job Description

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. This is a 12-month tenure-accruing position with an 70% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 30% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences) appointment, available in the Horticultural Sciences Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida, Gainesville main campus.

Research Duties

• Advances in biochemistry, metabolomics, metabolic engineering, and genomics for high-value fruit and vegetable crops are opening new and valuable research opportunities for flavor genomics applied to plant breeding.
• The position is responsible for conducting innovative research exploring appropriate tools (e.g. chemistry/molecular biology/genomics/metabolomics/quantitative genetics) to better understand the genetics and biochemistry of fruit/vegetable flavor, and texture in specialty crops.
• The appointee will conduct the research program with strong extramural funding and is expected to publish research in peer-reviewed journals and participate in the graduate education program.

Teaching Duties

• Undergraduate and/or graduate courses related to genetics, biochemistry and breeding.
• Teaching duties will include undergraduate and/or graduate courses related to genetics, biochemistry and breeding. The appointed will contribute effort in teaching PCB 5065 Advanced Genetics.
• The appointed will participate actively in graduate education by chairing graduate committees, serving on graduate committees, supervising thesis and dissertation research, supervising undergraduate research and publishing the results with their graduate students.

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).

Expected Salary

Commensurate with Experience and Education

Required Qualifications

• A doctorate in plant breeding, biochemistry, genetics and genomics, or a related discipline is required, together with a strong interest in the genetics and biochemistry of fruit/vegetable flavor.
• Candidates should have demonstrated verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal relationships, working cooperatively with others, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries, team leadership and organization, and the ability to obtain extramural funding.
• Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system. Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.

Preferred

• Postdoctoral experience is desirable.
• Experience with flavor chemistry, molecular breeding, , and specialty crops is desirable.
• Familiarity with tomato breeding or tomato genetics is also desirable.

Special Instructions to Applicants

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by June 15th, 2026. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined. Employment Conditions This position is available January 2027, and will be filled as soon thereafter as an acceptable applicant is available. Compensation is commensurate with the education, experience, and qualifications of the selected applicant. Nominations Nominations are welcome. Nominations need to include the complete name and address of the nominee. This information should be sent to: Please refer to Requisition # 539811 Marcio Resende Chair, Search and Screen Committee University of Florida 2550 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL 32611 Telephone: 352.273.4772, Electronic Mail: mresende@ufl.edu Application Information Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF and submit:

• A cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above, and a long-term vision for the research program
• A curriculum vitae
• Contact information (including email addresses) for three individuals willing to write letters of recommendation.

Unofficial transcripts

Health Assessment Required

No