Postdoctoral Research Associate in Container Nursery (Ornamental plant production) Weed Management

Job ID: Postdoc Aso – UF/IFAS Mid Florida Research and Education Center (MREC), Orlando, FL

About the role

We are seeking a postdoctoral research associate to pursue applied and basic research on weed biology and management in ornamental crops. This is an initial 18-month appointment with a possible extension, located off-campus at the Mid Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) near Orlando, Florida.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, manage, and conduct controlled-environment experiments to investigate weed physiology and horticultural production practices.
• Collect, manage, analyze, and interpret data from experiments; produce publications and reports synthesizing research results in the context of relevant literature.
• Coordinate undergraduate students and interns assisting in research projects.
• Conduct research on:
  • Growth, reproduction, and germination requirements for common and emerging weed species in Florida container nurseries.
  • Use of plant growth regulators and alternative strategies for weed and labor management in container nurseries and landscapes.
  • Development of alternative and non-chemical methods of weed control by altering production practices and cultural management strategies.
  • Assessment of herbicide efficacy, leaching, and fate in container nurseries.
  • Growth response of weeds to differing soilless substrate compositions, fertilization, and irrigation management practices.
  • Screening preemergence herbicides and ornamentals for safety and efficacy to develop more effective preemergence herbicide rotations for nursery growers.
  • Determining ornamental crop response to weed management strategies and their growth and resource utilization when grown in competition with weed species.

Requirements

• Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in weed science, horticulture, plant biology, crop science, agronomy, forestry, or a related plant-science discipline with a focus on horticultural/plant production.
• Commitment to the mission of the Land-Grant system and to UF core values.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong record of coursework and independent research in weed science, container production, pest management, controlled environments, and crop and soil management.
• Skills in statistical analyses, data management and visualization, and scientific writing.

Location & Benefits

MREC is located in the Orlando metropolitan area, northwest Orange County, 15 miles from downtown Orlando and adjacent to Lake Apopka and the North Shore wildlife refuge. Housing is affordable and widely available.

• Health and dental benefits.
• 130.5 hours of annual leave.

About the Organization

The University of Florida is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution with enrollment of more than 56,000 students. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Florida Sea Grant program. IFAS encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments, 12 Research and Educational Centers (REC) throughout the state, and Extension offices in all 67 counties.