Center Director and Professor - Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC)

Minimum Requirements

Candidates for the rank of full professor shall be qualified for the rank of associate professor and, in addition, be a recognized national or international authority or an outstanding teacher in their field or specialization. A candidate for this rank must have a distinguished record of achievement beyond the associate professor level.

Position Overview

The Center Director serves as the administrative head of the University of Florida/IFAS, Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) located in Immokalee, FL. The Center Director provides strategic leadership and support for the integrated teaching, research, and Extension programs developed by faculty that address the essential needs of the stakeholders, including agricultural, natural resource conservation, and environmental. The Center Director is responsible for developing, promoting and overseeing proactive programs that address current and emerging issues affecting agricultural, natural resource, and urban communities.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Provides strategic vision and leadership to advance interdisciplinary, high-impact programs conducted by SWFREC faculty, staff, and students.
• Sustains and strengthens teaching, research, and Extension programs and leads efforts to address clientele needs through visionary and proactive Extension programming and scientifically recognized research efforts.
• Manages and oversees the effective and accountable management of SWFREC’s financial, personnel and physical resources, including laboratories, field research infrastructure, and associated facilities.
• Develops, maintains, and strengthens strategic partnerships with UF/IFAS administration, county Extension faculty, and local, state, and federal agencies, as well as agricultural, environmental, and industry stakeholders.
• Reports administratively to the Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and programmatically to the Deans for Research, Extension, and Academic Programs.

Administrative and Operational Responsibilities

• Fosters a collaborative and high-performing environment that supports excellence among faculty, staff, and students.
• Mentors, evaluates, and oversees programmatic activities of faculty.
• Coordinates promotion and tenure processes in consultation with appropriate academic department chairs.
• Co-supervises State Specialized Agents (SSA) and Regional Specialized Agents (RSA) located at SWFREC in collaboration with the District Extension Director.
• Exercises effective communication and management practices, including delegation of responsibilities and timely decision-making, to ensure efficient and coordinated operations.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships

• Serves as a key representative of UF/IFAS and is accountable for building, sustaining, and strengthening productive relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Fosters trust, maintains goodwill, and ensures active engagement with commodity organizations, regulatory and governmental agencies, agricultural and natural resource associations, and private-sector partners, including producers, industry representatives, and environmental organizations.
• Initiates, coordinates, and advances collaborative efforts with UF/IFAS Department Chairs, Research and Education Center directors, District Extension Directors, county Extension faculty, and other UF units.

Other Information

The Southwest Florida Research and Education Center is situated on 320 acres and is located one mile north of Immokalee and approximately 35 miles southeast of Fort Myers, and is 40 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, which has internationally recognized tourism beach destinations (Sanibel, Captiva, and Marco islands). The Center faculty consists of a range of academic disciplines supporting research and Extension programs in precision agriculture, citrus and vegetable horticulture, irrigation, soil science, pest management, natural resource economics, and water quantity and quality. The SWFREC supplies decision-makers with specific knowledge to protect, sustain and enhance agriculture, human and natural resources through nationally and internationally recognized research, Extension, and teaching programs.

Required Qualifications

• An earned Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in a discipline relevant to agriculture, environmental horticulture, natural resources, or a closely related field is required.
• The candidate must possess a record of scholarship and academic achievement consistent with appointment at the rank of Professor within UF/IFAS.
• The successful candidate will demonstrate a proven record of excellence in research and teaching, along with experience in Extension or stakeholder-engaged programming that translates scientific knowledge into practical applications addressing clientele needs.
• The candidate must have demonstrated leadership experience, including responsibility for mentoring and supervising faculty, staff, and students, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing organizational environment.
• Strong administrative, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills are required, along with the ability to manage complex programs and make effective decisions.
• The candidate must demonstrate a history of securing extramural funding from competitive sources, including commodity and industry groups and governmental agencies such as the USDA.
• The successful candidate will also demonstrate the ability to build and sustain productive relationships with a variety of stakeholders and must exhibit a clear understanding of and commitment to the mission of the land‑grant system, including the integration of research, teaching, and Extension.

Preferred Special Instructions to Applicants

• For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by August 2, 2026.
• The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.
• 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 # 540255 Dr. Edward A. Evans Chair, Search and Screen Committee University of Florida Tropical Research and Education Center 18905 SW 281st Street Homestead, FL 33033 Telephone: 786 217 9225 Electronic Mail: eaevans@ufl.edu