Programmatic Associate Director Jobs in Mississippi

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 .

This is a 12-month tenure-accruing position that will be 60% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 40% extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), available in the Range Cattle Research and Education Center in Ona FL, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. Tenure will accrue in the Department of Agronomy.

This position serves the Florida livestock industry through the development of an environmentally-sound, sustainable forage agronomy research and education program. The position involves a split appointment with research and extension responsibilities in accordance with the needs of the unit. Although programmatic responsibility is statewide in general, specific program leadership is directed upon the unique tropical and sub-tropical environment of central and south Florida. The incumbent will carry out innovative research and extension programs on subtropical forage-crop management. As a member of a multidisciplinary team, duties include: 1) evaluation of potential perennial grasses and legumes; 2) basic and applied forage management research including establishment, maintenance, grazing management, and utilization of forages; 4) incorporate artificial intelligence into forage management; and 4) work cooperatively with state, regional, and county extension faculty. The faculty member is expected to collaborate with the stakeholders, especially the Florida Cattlemen's Association, aligning the research and education programs with the priorities of the allied industry. Participation in graduate student training is expected. The faculty member will actively seek contract and grant funding to support their program and publish regularly in peer-reviewed journals.

The successful candidate will participate actively in undergraduate and graduate education by chairing and serving on graduate committees, supervising thesis, dissertation, and undergraduate research, and publishing research results with students. Faculty are encouraged to participate in professional development activities related to teaching and advising and may teach courses and seminars.

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.

Note: 

The UF/IFAS Agronomy Department is currently searching for two faculty members focusing on forage management. The position listed here is a 60% research and 40% extension Assistant/Associate Professor role located in Ona, FL at the UF/IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center. However, there is an additional 60% research and 40% teaching Assistant/Associate Professor position located on the main campus at Gainesville. Candidates whose qualifications align with both positions are encouraged to apply for each. The description for the other position can be found here . 

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.

This position will reside at the Range Cattle Research and Education Center, which is a unit of the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), and is located on a 2840-acre site eight miles south of Ona, FL. Ona is located, 45 miles east of the Bradenton/Sarasota area and 170 miles south of the University of Florida main campus at Gainesville. The Center is located in an agricultural region where beef and dairy cattle, citrus, vegetables, and ornamental horticulture are major industries. Nearly 80% of Florida's 1 million beef cows are located within 150 miles of the Center. Currently, the Center has six faculty programs and 16 support staff. The center is approximately 90 miles southwest of the newly acquired DeLuca Preserve, 27,000 acres of grazinglands comprised of a mosaic of improved pasture, semi-native and native pasture, dry and wet prairie, wetlands, and upland forests.

Commensurate with Experience and Education

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Agronomy 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.

Postdoctoral experience is desirable. Experience working with clientele and writing in lay language will be large component of this position.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by June 16, 2026. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

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 # 539545

Dr. Hance Ellington

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Range Cattle Research and Education Center

3401 Experiment Station

Ona, FL 33865

Telephone:                               863.374.7049

Electronic Mail:                      e.ellington@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
• Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 individuals willing to write letters of recommendation
• Unofficial transcripts

The 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.