Director & Senior/Master Lecturer - Space Life Sciences

This is a 12-month non-tenure-accruing faculty position at the rank of Senior Lecturer/Master Lecturer (working title: Associate/Full Instructional Professor) for the Space Life Sciences Program in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. The position is 10% academic administration as Director of the Space Life Sciences program and 90% teaching. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the college.

About the role

The Space Life Sciences program will prepare students to enter the growing space sector supporting sustained human exploration beyond Earth. The candidate will direct and advise students in a new undergraduate degree program that is being submitted this year (2026) for approval. The Director will need to be innovative and entrepreneurial to grow and expand this program to meet its potential. The candidate, with assistance from the CALS Dean’s office, will assume all duties to navigate necessary approvals to expedite the launch of this program once hired.

The program is interdisciplinary with core CALS departments being Microbiology and Cell Science, Plant Pathology, Horticultural Sciences, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and Food Science and Human Nutrition. The academic home will be in CALS, and the position will report to the Associate Dean in CALS that oversees the undergraduate programs.

Recruitment efforts will initially be a key focus to increase awareness and enrollment in the major, with additional support from CALS and IFAS Communication Services as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the undergraduate coordinator and academic advisor for the Space Life Sciences Program.
• Conduct supervision or reporting of the program’s operation required from external or internal entities, such as accreditation reporting and new requirements in undergraduate curriculum.
• Manage the program’s budget.
• Teach one to two courses annually in the Space Life Sciences major, with preference given to larger enrolled courses that are part of the core curriculum.
• Engage in scholarly activities related to instruction, advising, and mentoring undergraduate students.
• Provide leadership in curriculum revision and enhancement, publish teaching-related articles, produce learning tools, and engage in professional development activities related to teaching and advising.
• Support and participate in the CALS Honors Scholars Certificate Program, distance education, and international education.
• Provide academic advisement of undergraduate students in the major and budgetary oversight of the program.
• Develop and maintain industry and alumni contacts for program support and internship opportunities.
• Lead recruitment and retention efforts for students within the program.
• Lead the Space Life Science Steering Committee and work closely with faculty mentors, unit leaders, and upper administration to achieve program goals and learning objectives.
• Promote Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) among participating faculty, ensure timely peer assessment of core courses, and lead the annual accreditation assessment for the Space Life Sciences program.
• Support and engage in the IFAS land-grant mission across Research, Teaching, and Extension.

Requirements

• A Master of Science or Doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in astrobiology, space biology, microbiology and cell science, plant pathology, horticulture, agricultural and biological engineering, food science, nutritional sciences, biology, or a closely related discipline is required (a doctorate is required for the use of the ‘Instructional Assistant/Associate Professor’ working titles).
• Experience in teaching and advising/mentoring university-level students.
• Demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, interpersonal relationships, and some prior experience with program management and administration.
• Supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system.
• Commitment to UF core values.

Preferred Qualifications

• A doctoral degree and more than five years of experience in undergraduate teaching.
• An established record of excellence in teaching and mentoring, academic advising, and evidence of academic leadership experience and/or training.
• Experience and knowledge in the space life sciences field.

Benefits

Exceptional benefits package offered.