Assistant/Associate Professor (Plant Breeder)

About the role

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. This is a 12-month tenure-accruing position that will be 70% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 30% extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), available in the Everglades Research and Education Center Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida.

Responsibilities

• Improve lettuce cultivars of cos (romaine) and crisphead (iceberg) types for Florida production.
• Focus on improving other types of lettuce such as leaf, butterhead, niche, and other leafy vegetables.
• Provide lettuce breeding lines and cultivars adapted to different environmental conditions throughout the state, with an emphasis on the Florida Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA).
• Support the baby leaf industry on field production issues such as diseases affecting this industry.
• Evaluate the genetics of traits to develop lettuce cultivars adapted to Florida using multi-disciplinary research approaches in disease resistance, heat tolerance, nutrient use efficiency, weed management, postharvest technology, and alternative lettuce production systems such as protected structures.
• Interact with stakeholders, breeders in other states and federal agencies, and vegetable grower organizations (including Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association).

Requirements

• A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Plant breeding, Horticulture or a closely related discipline is required.
• Postdoctoral experience is required.
• Experience with and a strong understanding of plant breeding with focus on cultivar development as well as molecular techniques used in crop improvement.
• Ability and self-motivation to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with research and extension faculty, and vegetable growers.
• Demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, interpersonal relationships, and procurement of extramural funding.
• A commitment to UF core values.

Qualifications

• Doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Plant breeding, Horticulture or a closely related discipline.
• Postdoctoral experience.
• Experience with and a strong understanding of plant breeding with focus on cultivar development as well as molecular techniques used in crop improvement.
• Ability and self-motivation to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with research and extension faculty, and vegetable growers.
• Demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, interpersonal relationships, and procurement of extramural funding.
• A commitment to UF core values.

Skills

• Plant breeding and cultivar development.
• Molecular techniques in crop improvement.
• Effective communication and interpersonal relationships.
• Procurement of extramural funding.

Benefits

N/A

Pay

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Schedule

N/A