Biological Scientist II - UF​/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department

Biological Scientist II - UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department

Apply now Job no: 539782
Work type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Biology/Life Science, Agricultural Sciences
Department:  - AG-HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES

Classification

Title:

Biological Scientist II

Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field and three years of experience or Master’s degree in biology or a related field with one year of relevant experience.

Job Description:

This is a Biological Scientist II position located in Gainesville, Florida, in Dr. Xin Zhao’s Organic and Sustainable Vegetable Cropping Systems laboratory within the Department of Horticultural Sciences at the University of Florida. The position supports multidisciplinary research on organic strawberry production, anaerobic soil disinfestation, and integrated nutrient management in watermelon production. The position will conduct both field and laboratory studies to evaluate plant health and resilience, crop growth and productivity, fruit quality, soil fertility and quality, plant nutritional status, and nutrient uptake and use efficiency.

The role also includes data analysis and summarization of results, contributing to reports and manuscripts, presentations at professional meetings, and assistance with project coordination and outreach. This position requires familiarity with vegetable production systems, crop nutrition, soil and plant analysis, statistical analysis, and scientific communication.

Duties include:

• Support day-to-day research operations by helping with both field and laboratory activities related to organic strawberry production, anaerobic soil disinfestation, and integrated nutrient management in watermelon.
• Conduct field, greenhouse, and laboratory work to evaluate plant health, crop growth, productivity, fruit quality, soil fertility, and soil quality parameters.
• Monitor plant nutritional status, nutrient uptake, and nutrient use efficiency as part of ongoing crop production studies.
• Utilize environmental instrumentation, sensors, and data loggers to support environmental monitoring and data collection in research trials. Modify data collection methods, as needed.
• Contribute to studies involving soil physical, chemical, and biological properties, as well as plant nutrition, plant water relations, and stress physiology.
• Help maintain organized research activities across multidisciplinary project teams while supporting efficient application of project objectives.

• Support research studies focused on organic vegetable production systems, including strawberry and watermelon, with emphasis on crop resilience, nutrient management, and soil health.
• Compile research data for analysis using statistical software such as SAS or R, with additional strength in JMP and multivariate approaches considered beneficial.
• Evaluate experimental results related to plant health and resilience, crop development and productivity, fruit quality, soil fertility, and nutrient dynamics.
• Contribute to reports, research manuscripts, and other scholarly materials for publication and project reporting.
• Contribute to presentation of research findings at professional meetings and contribute to broader communication of project outcomes.
• Assist with project coordination and outreach activities while contributing to collaborative, team-based research efforts.

• Train and provide guidance to lab personnel in general laboratory procedures, including undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and visiting scientists.

Other duties as assigned.

Commensurate with education, skills and experience.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in biology or a related field and three years of experience or Master’s degree in biology or a related field with one year of relevant experience.

Preferred:

• PhD degree in Horticulture or a related field.
• General expertise in vegetable production systems, organic agriculture, soil fertility and health assessment, crop nutrition, best management practices, and integrated pest, disease, and weed management.
• Experience in soil physical, chemical, and biological property analysis, with the ability to support field- and laboratory-based evaluations of soil quality and crop performance.
• Experience in plant nutrition, plant water relations, and stress physiology studies.
• Proficiency in environmental monitoring using sensors and data loggers.
• Experience in watermelon and strawberry production systems, including fruit quality assessment.
• Proficiency in statistical and multivariate data analysis, including principal component analysis and the use of JMP and/or R.
• Project management training and/or experience, with the ability to contribute effectively to coordinated multidisciplinary research efforts.

Health Assessment

Required:

No

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.