Research Assistant Scientist

Research Assistant Scientist

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. Duties will include research related to a tomato project and assistance with the citrus project EPA and FDA regulations. Work includes, field sampling, extractions and analysis of samples from a multi-year tomato project. For the citrus project, preparing documents for EPA submission and assessment for possible commercial citrus lines as well as label approval from the FDA.

Contributing to the management of lab personnel. Participate in grant writing as a PI or co-PI on grant proposals serving as lead PI.

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 University of Florida is home to Hi Per Gator  3.0, one of the most powerful supercomputers available to a University in the world.

The Microbiology and Cell Science Department has 29 tenured or tenure-track faculty, 7 lecturers, 79 PhD students, 700 MS students, and 1,000 undergraduate students. NASA is currently the largest external funding source for Microbiology and Cell Science, and Florida's aerospace sector—centered around Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island—is experiencing rapid growth.

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.

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 Senior Vice President and four deans.

Expected Salary:
Commensurate with Education and Experience

Required Qualifications:

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in the life sciences, plant science, or other closely related disciplines is required. Candidates should have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication and publication/dissemination of their scholarly work in their field. The candidate should have demonstrated experience in a research setting with analysis, visualization, and interpretation of large datasets, preferably of sensitive data types such as student information or patient data.

Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system. Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.

Preferred:
Postdoctoral experience is desirable.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by August 23, 2026. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

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 three individuals willing to write letters of recommendation Unofficial transcripts Research statement with a maximum of 1,500 words Teaching statement with a maximum of 1,000 words