Postdoctoral Research Associate - Disaster Impact Analysis

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 .

This is a 12-month position in the Food and Resource Economics Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. This position is grant funded across multiple projects with the UF/IFAS Economic Impact Analysis Program (EIAP) and under the direction of Dr. Xiaohui Qiao and Dr. Christa Court. The successful candidate will participate in externally funded research efforts in disaster impact analysis and webGIS development, including advancing methods for improving data and tools for rapid assessment of agricultural losses and damages caused by natural hazard events (tropical cyclones, flood, freeze, etc.) and supporting efforts to develop a webGIS platform to offer comprehensive data visualization for UF/IFAS Extension and its stakeholders.

We seek a highly motivated, self-directed person with an interdisciplinary background and training. Candidates should have a strong technical background required for disaster impact analysis, including GIS, programming (Python is preferred), database management, data analysis, etc. Knowledge of geographic data and metadata standards is expected. Experience with webGIS development and economic impact analysis are preferred. In addition, we expect the successful candidate to be aware of and interested in contributing to the Florida Cooperative Extension System and the general Land-, Sea, and Space-Grant missions of the University of Florida.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The Food and Resource Economics Department (FRED) has approximately 30 faculty members, 10 support staff positions in Gainesville, and 6 faculty members spread across 5 Research and Education Centers throughout the state. FRED faculty teach a wide variety of courses, from agribusiness management, to natural resource/environmental economics, to welfare economics and trade theory. FRED averages approximately 250 undergraduate majors/year, and 60-80 M.S., Ph.D. and Master of Agribusiness students. Research and Extension efforts reflect both the needs of the State and the mission of the Agricultural Economics profession.

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 Environmental Engineering, Geography, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Agricultural Economics, Urban Planning or a closely related discipline is required. Applicants should possess excellent leadership, communication, and quantitative skills, and experience in participating in, and motivation for multidisciplinary research efforts. Candidates should have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication and be able to work independently and with flexibility. 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. 

Experience working with ArcGIS and related open-source GIS softwares.

Experience with webGIS development.

Experience with economic impact analysis of hazard events.

Nominations

Nominations are welcome. Nominations need to include the complete name and address of the nominee. This information should be sent to:

Dr. Xiaohui Qiao

Research Assistant Professor

Food and Resource Economics Department

University of Florida / IFAS

Telephone:                                       352-294-7651

Electronic Mail:                      [email protected]   

Application Information

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:
• Cover letter explaining your relevant experience and interest in the position
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 individuals willing to write letters of recommendation
• 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 variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.