Post-doctoral Research Associate Position – Nutrient Cycling and Transport

Postdoc Aso

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF .

Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) Department and Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida (UF), seeks a post-doctoral associate to work on a state-funded multi-disciplinary Best Management Practices (BMP) project to develop nutrient management strategies, including the amount of phosphorus fertilizer needed, for high-value fresh-market crops. The project aims to develop a decision support system for phosphorus management that considers plant (production, use efficiency, stressors), soil (chemical characteristics, nutrient bioavailability), water management (irrigation and drainage), and hydrologic (surface water and ground water, topography), weather (rainfall, temperature), and other management factors. The post-doc will help collect and analyze the biophysical and biogeochemical data from different regions in Florida in conjunction with model results and economic data and to develop nutrient and water management tool. They will work with UF faculty with expertise in hydrology/water quality and modeling, agronomy, soil science, statistics and machine learning, pathology, entomology, and economics. They will be expected to supervise biological scientists and field technicians.

The position is available immediately and screening of candidates will begin January 3, 2024. The candidate must be able to start by January 2024. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience and is likely to range from $50,000- $60,000/year.      

Background Information :

The University of Florida is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than 56,000 students.  UF is a member of The Association of American Universities.  The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences , the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station , the Florida Cooperative Extension Service , the College of Veterinary Medicine , the Florida Sea Grant program, and encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments and schools, 12 Research and Educational Centers (REC) located throughout the state, 6 Research sites/demonstration units administered by RECs or academic departments, and Florida Cooperative Extension Service offices in all 67 counties (counties operate and maintain). The School of Natural Resources and Environment is an interdisciplinary unit housed in IFAS and managed by several colleges on campus.  UF/IFAS employs nearly 4,500 people, which includes approximately 990 salaried faculty and 1,400 permanent support personnel located in Gainesville and throughout the state. IFAS, one of the nation’s largest agricultural and natural resources research and education organizations, is administered by a Vice President and four deans: the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Dean for Extension and Director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the Dean for Research and Director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine.  UF/IFAS also engages in cooperative work with Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Applicants must have Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in soil science, agronomy, agricultural/biological/environmental engineering or related disciplines with a strong background in nutrient cycling and transport. Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system.  Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values of excellence, discovery & innovation, inclusion, freedom & civility, community, and stewardship. 

Preferred qualifications include strong background in soil chemistry and prior experience in phosphorus cycle dynamics including use efficiency, bioavailability, and transport.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

• Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF and submit:
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 individuals willing to write letters of recommendation

Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible.  Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) .

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws.

The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.