Assistant Professor - Aquatic Plant Management Specialist
University of Florida
This is a 12-month tenure-accruing position, appointed as 60% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 40% extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), available in the Agronomy Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. The assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. The position will be located at the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants (CAIP) in Gainesville, FL with access to extensive laboratory and field facilities. Tenure will accrue in the Agronomy Department.
The research component of this position (60%) will focus on relevant independent research on invasive plant management in aquatic habitats and cooperative research with other faculty working on invasive plant management. Research will be, predominantly, of an applied nature aimed at solving practical invasive plant problems faced by aquatic resource managers. The focus will be on developing management options – including herbicide recommendations and application techniques – that can be integrated into invasive plant management programs. In addition to applied research, more fundamental studies on the biology, physiology, or ecology of invasive plants should be pursued. The incumbent is expected to obtain extramural funding, direct graduate student research, and publish research findings in the scientific literature.
The extension component of this position (40%) includes development of methods for the integrated management of invasive plants in aquatic habitats. The incumbent will also be responsible for disseminating this information through various formats and venues while also training county extension faculty, state and federal agency personnel, commercial herbicide applicators, and individuals in the private sector who have an interest in the control of aquatic invasive plants. The incumbent must liaise with federal, state, county and municipal land management programs such as the Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida's five Water Management Districts, and Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAS). Of particular importance will be the recognition of agency needs for information and training and providing assistance as necessary. The training component will include assisting with short courses, workshops, and writing EDIS publications (extension bulletins), newsletters, and information sheets as necessary. The incumbent has the opportunity to cooperate with educational programs developed by the CAIP Information Office (http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu) and with established programs in other departments. This position requires close coordination of research and extension programs with faculty in several other disciplines including Fisheries, Forestry, Entomology and Horticulture as well as with research/extension staff at Research and Education Centers throughout the state.
For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit supporting materials by 15 April 2018. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.
For more information, visit http://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/cw/en-us/job/506340/assistant-professor-aquatic-plant-management-specialist.