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Ast/Aso Prof

Candidates for this rank shall hold the highest degree appropriate to their field. A candidate shall be expected to demonstrate successful experience pertinent to the position they are being recommended and have demonstrated qualities relevant to the goals of the academic unit in which they will be employed.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. 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 .

Duties and Responsibilities

This is a 12-month, tenure-accruing position that is 70% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 30% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences) located at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC), Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), University of Florida, based in Apopka. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. Tenure will accrue in the Department of Plant Pathology.

The UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) in Apopka, Florida serves as a hub for research, teaching, and Extension programs supporting Florida's controlled environment agriculture ornamental, landscape, space biology and industries. This variety of faculty, staff and programs provides a unique setting for interdisciplinary work within the MREC campus, with colleagues on the main UF campus and with faculty at other Centers around the state.

Expected Duties

The successful candidate will develop a nationally and internationally recognized, extramurally funded, research and teaching program in specialty crops pathology in controlled environment structures (greenhouses, vertical farming, container farming, high tunnels, and screen/shade houses) and space environment, with emphasis on advancing knowledge of plant disease epidemiology. Particular emphasis will be placed on addressing to the unique challenges of managing plant health in Bioregenerative Life Support Systems (BLSS) that support human habitats in space, including those relevant to the International Space Station, lunar, and Martian missions.

Collaboration with colleagues across Florida, nationally, and internationally is expected.

The research program will address fundamental and applied questions critical to sustaining plant health in controlledenvironment and spacebased agricultural systems.

Key research areas will include:

Plant-Pathogen Dynamics in Closed and SpaceAnalog Environments

• Pathogen biology with emphasis on the survival, growth, and dispersal of plant pathogens in controlled environment structures, and under microgravity and other extraterrestrial conditions relevant to space environment.
• Conduct research on the effects of microgravity and extraterrestrial conditions on plant resistance mechanisms, pathogen virulence, and disease development.
• Investigate the aerobiology of globally dispersed plant pathogens as analogs for transport, persistence, and exposure risks on planetary surfaces and in closed habitats.
• Develop and implement advanced diagnostic tools and methodologies for the early detection, identification, and monitoring of plant pathogens in controlled environments and space habitats.

Pathogen Management Strategies

• Investigate novel pathogen and disease management strategies suitable for controlled and space environment systems, including soil-less and soilbased plant production systems.
• Develop integrated pest management (IPM) frameworks tailored to the unique biological, physical, and operational challenges associated with maintaining plant health in controlled and space environment systems.

The incumbent will engage in scholarly activities related to instruction, including teaching graduate and undergraduate courses. Primary instructional responsibilities will include the development and delivery of a plant pathology graduate level course Applied Epidemiology in Controlled and Space Environments (an updated version of PLP6404, 3 credits, online, asynchronous delivery with office hours, with an in-person bootcamp option for hands-on training; one offering per year). The course will have an undergraduate section. It is expected the faculty member also develops a graduate course with an undergraduate section on Plant Health in Controlled and Space Environments (3 credits, online, asynchronous delivery with office hours, one offering per year). Faculty are encouraged to support and participate in the CALS Honors Program, distance education, and international education.

The faculty member is expected to publish research results in national and international refereed and non-refereed journals, present results at professional meetings, and collaborate with interdisciplinary faculty and industry partners to address emerging plant pathology challenges in closed and controlled environments.

The successful candidate will participate actively in graduate education by chairing and serving on graduate committees, supervising thesis and dissertation research, and publishing research results with students, and engage in professional service, consistent with the IFAS land-grant mission.  The faculty member will actively seek contract and grant funding to support his/her program. Involvement in national and international professional societies is expected.  

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 position will be based at the UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) in Apopka, Florida, which serves as a hub for research, teaching, and Extension programs supporting Florida's ornamental, landscape, urban and controlled environment agriculture industries. The Center provides access to laboratory, greenhouse, and field research facilities, along with strong partnerships with industry stakeholders. MREC is one of 12 University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Research and Education Centers. Located in the heart of Florida (just north or Orlando), the MREC is a center for research, teaching, and Extension programs.  Originally established as the Central Florida Research & Education Center in the fall of 1986 by administratively combining research centers at Apopka, Leesburg, and Sanford, a new research and education facility was constructed on land next to the old Apopka center in 1999. Today, UF/IFAS MREC serves a large ornamental, nursery and agricultural industry which has historically cooperated with the Center to develop applied research. MREC's unique 218-acre facility includes two controlled environment facilities, over 130,000 square feet of greenhouses, 20,000 square feet of laboratories, two instructional pest management facilities, and a graduate student dormitory.

The Department of Plant Pathology has a broad variety of teaching, research, and extension programs, with 39 faculty members across the state (20 in Gainesville and 19 at 9 different Research and Educations Centers). We foster an atmosphere of collaboration, both within and among academic departments, and offer many opportunities to integrate teaching with research, extension, and outreach activities. Our undergraduate Plant Science Degree program is administered jointly among three departments: Horticultural Sciences, Agronomy, and Plant Pathology. We also participate in the interdepartmental Doctor of Plant Medicine (DPM) program.

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.

The faculty member is expected to be affiliated with the UF's Astraeus Space Institute, Emerging Pathogens Institute, and Global Food Systems Institute.

Commensurate with Experience and Education

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Plant Pathology, Microbiology, Horticulture, Biology, or a closely related discipline is required. Candidates should have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, publication in peer-reviewed journals, 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.

Postdoctoral research experience and prior teaching is desirable. A strong record of publishing in refereed journals and demonstrated expertise in pathology are desirable.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by June 22, 2026. Applications may be reviewed as they are received. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

Employment Conditions

This position is available August 16, 2026, 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 # 539777

Dr. David Norman

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Department of Plant Pathology

Mid-Florida Research & Education Center

2725 S. Binion Rd

Apopka, FL 32703

Telephone:                               407-410-6950

Facsimile:                                407-884-6186

Electronic Mail:                        djn@ufl.edu

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
• Statement describing research interests and goals
• Statement describing Extension program development vision, goals, and plans for program evaluation
• Contact information (including email addresses) for three 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 and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.