Postdoctoral Associate Controlled Environment Agriculture

Classification Title :

Postdoctoral Associate

Classification Minimum Requirements :

The appointee shall have received the doctorate in a field appropriate to the assigned duties and responsibilities.

Job Description :

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Scienceswelcomes applicants who can contribute to our 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 or the Florida Relay System at (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF .

The University of Floridas Mid-Florida Research and Education Center (MREC) is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Associate to support a collaborative research initiative in Controlled Environment Agriculture in partnership with the USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). This is a full-time three-year position based at Dr. Samarakoons lab MREC in Apopka Florida.

This position focuses on developing integrated strategies to enhance yield quality and flavor of high-wire crop production under Florida greenhouse conditions. The successful candidate will work closely with Principal Investigators (PIs) to coordinate and conduct research conduct laboratory analyses and contribute to extension activities. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment is essential.

The Postdoctoral Associate will be responsible for planning and designing experiments organizing research and extension activities with the PIs and coordinating multiple trials.

Duties include :

• Design and implement greenhouse experiments related to high-wire crop production.
• Collecting and analyzing data. writing manuscripts and technical reports
• Operating and maintaining instruments used in plant physiological research (e.g. growth chambers photosynthesis meters and other analytical tools).
• Preparing scientific manuscripts technical reports and extension materials.
• Present research findings at seminars conferences and stakeholder meetings.
• As needed mentoring undergraduate and graduate students.

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 56000 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 4500 people which includes approximately 990 salaried faculty and 1400 permanent support personnel located in Gainesville and throughout the state. IFAS one of the nations 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.

Expected Salary :

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Required Qualifications :

A Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in plant or horticulture science or any related discipline with a background in advanced plant physiology is required. Good oral / written communication skills are must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant must also have a commitment to UF core values.

Preferred :

Experience in working with crops in controlled environment agriculture or hydroponic crop production is desirable.

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

a letter of application summarizing the applicants qualifications detailed research interests and suitability for the position

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 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 Employment Opportunity Employer. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events restaurants year-round outdoor recreational activities and social opportunities.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position please call or the Florida Relay System at (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF.

Health Assessment Required :

No

Required Experience :

IC

Key Skills

GIS,Engineering,Engineering Practices,Data Collection,Irrigation Systems,Agriculture,CAD,GPS,Water Quality,Biology,Nursery,Emergency maitenance,Technical Assistance,Watetr conservation,Agricultural Equipment

Employment Type : Full Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1