Assistant Professor, Invasive Species Aquatic Ecology and Evolution

Ast Prof

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 .

This is a 9-month tenure-accruing position that will be 20% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences) and 80% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) available in the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida.  This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.  The position is housed at the Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory (TAL) near Tampa. Tenure will accrue in the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences.

The successful candidate will develop an interdisciplinary research program in aquatic ecology and evolutionary biology which informs the science and management of aquacultured non-native species. Ideal applicants should demonstrate interest and research experience at the intersection of ecology and evolution related to commercial aquaculture. Specific topics could include the domestication and feralization of aquaculture species, invasiveness, and species interactions. Florida is home to a large ornamental aquaculture industry, and the successful candidate is expected to contribute to ecological risk assessments for non-native ornamental and other aquaculture species in the state. A taxonomic focus on freshwater fishes is preferred, though research on a variety of aquatic taxa and ecosystems would also be expected. The position should complement existing strengths in SFFGS and particularly programmatic strengths at the TAL in risk assessment and management of potentially invasive aquatic species. In addition to the teaching and research expectations, supporting aquaculture stakeholders via Extension would be expected, which is consistent with the IFAS mission.

The position involves mentoring graduate students, which will likely entail successfully procuring research funds and guiding students through publishing in peer-reviewed journals. The faculty member will seek contract and grant funding actively to support their program. The faculty member will engage in Extension activities in their program area as IFAS faculty are expected to participate in all three Land Grant mission areas. 

The successful candidate will engage in scholarly activities related to instruction, including teaching at least one undergraduate and/or graduate course per year in their area of expertise. The specific course(s) will be identified in consultation with Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences faculty and the SFFGS Director.   Advising and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, participating in curriculum revision and enhancement, supervising undergraduate and graduate research and creative work, producing learning tools, and engaging in professional development activities related to teaching and advising are also expected.  Faculty are encouraged to support and participate in the CALS Honors Program, distance education, and international education.

Because of the IFAS land-grant mission, all faculty are expected to be supportive of and engaged in all three mission areas—Research, Teaching and Extension—regardless of the assignment split specified in the position description.

Background Information :

The School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences (SFFGS) is an interdisciplinary school housing programs in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Forest Resources and Conservation, and Geomatics. The SFFGS has 60 faculty members, 60 administrative and programmatic staff, 250 graduate students, and 350 undergraduate students. The School offers bachelor’s degrees in Geomatics, Forest Resources and Conservation, Natural Resource Conservation, and Marine Sciences; thesis and non-thesis master’s degrees in all focal areas, including a number of innovative distance education master’s programs; and Ph.D. degrees in all focal areas.

The Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program is a top-ranked, uniquely comprehensive academic program with particular strengths in the areas of sustainable fisheries, marine and freshwater ecology, aquaculture, and aquatic animal health.

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

• A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in aquatic ecology, evolutionary biology, invasion science, or a closely related discipline is required.
• Candidates should have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, interpersonal relationships, and procurement of extramural funding.
• 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. 
• Evidence of research ability and productivity, and successful university-level teaching.

• One or more years of postdoctoral experience is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse workforce and clientele.
• Knowledge of life history and ecology of organisms in the aquaculture trade.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by March 29, 2024.  The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

Employment Conditions

This position is available August 16, 2024 and will be filled as soon thereafter as an acceptable applicant is available.  Compensation is commensurate with the education, experience, and qualifications of the selected applicant.

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 # 529705

Joshua Patterson

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences

Center for Conservation

529 Estuary Shore Lane

Apollo Beach, FL 33572

Telephone:                               813-419-4917

Electronic Mail:                      [email protected]

Application Information

• Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF and submit:
• Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 individuals willing to write letters of recommendation
• Research statement
• Teaching statement
• Unofficial transcripts

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.