Assistant​/Associate Professor of Fruit Crops

Position Overview

This is a 12-month tenure-accruing faculty position, 25% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 75% Extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), available in the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), University of Florida; located at the Tropical Research and Education Center in Homestead, FL. The incumbent will assume leadership of a state-wide extension program to increase the knowledge and skills of extension agents and industry representatives (e.g., producers, packinghouses, etc.)

in the area of tropical and subtropical fruit production. The primary responsibility will be developing an educational program in production of tropical fruit crops grown commercially in the state. The program of work shall include publications, multi‑media news releases, workshops, field days, meetings, and other activities. In cooperation with county extension personnel, participate in consultations with established commercial growers and nurserymen in commercial tropical and subtropical fruit production.

The individual will be expected to collaborate with colleagues at the Center and beyond in an applied research program pertinent to the problems of the industry. This includes participating in the IR‑4 Minor Use Pesticide Registration Program at the research center. The successful candidate will also advise the research center’s field manager on proper maintenance and care of the centers subtropical and tropical fruit orchards and germplasm collection.

This is a 5000‑level course designed for graduate and advanced undergraduate students, and qualified industry participants and is offered in alternate years. The successful candidate will participate actively in undergraduate and graduate education by chairing and serving on graduate committees, supervising theses and dissertations, and publishing research results with students. Faculty are encouraged to participate in professional development activities related to teaching and advising.

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.

• A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Horticultural Science or a closely related discipline is required.
• The candidate should be familiar with basic horticultural practices such as tree canopy management, irrigation and nutrient management, and insect pest and disease management for tree crops.
• The candidate should be familiar with whole‑plant physiology and molecular and traditional plant breeding techniques.
• 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 University of Florida core values.

• Postdoctoral experience and knowledge of subtropical and tropical fruit crop botany and production.