Postdoctoral Associate position at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center

Postdoc Aso

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an 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 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF .

Post-doctoral position at the University of Florida, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center

The Vegetable Pathology Program at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, located just 25 miles south of Tampa, Florida, is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to develop sustainable strategies for the management of bacterial and fungal pathogens impacting commercial vegetable production in Florida. The successful candidate will work cooperatively with the principal investigator (PI) and other investigators on the development of novel control strategies. Candidate must have an ability to work effectively in a team environment and will be expected to mentor graduate and/or undergraduate students/interns, as well as coordinate activities with program technicians.

The position will partially lead a project to evaluate novel biocontrol agents for efficacy against bacterial and fungal pathogens; additional objectives could include evaluating the impact of production practices and environment on biocontrol and disease development. The incumbent will work with the PI to design trials, collect and analyze project data, prepare progress reports and manuscripts, and engage in extension activities to educate industry stakeholders on research. The incumbent will help oversee other program activities expected to support Florida’s vegetable industry, including the routine diagnosis of vegetable diseases, and overseeing routine pesticide/germplasm evaluation trials.

This full-time, 12-month research appointment is available immediately, and renewable for up to two years depending upon performance and the availability of additional funding. The salary is commensurate with experience and includes benefits.

Background Information:

The Gulf Coast Research and Education Center has diverse research, extension and teaching programs with 20 faculty members located at Balm (mailing address Wimauma) and Plant City teaching program, with specialization in economics, geomatics, horticulture, pest management, plant breeding, and resource management. GCREC is a modern research and education facility that includes offices and laboratories, 15 greenhouses, approximately 500 acres of field operations, and housing for up to 24 resident graduate students.

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.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

A Ph.D. in plant pathology, horticulture, or related field is required. The candidate is expected to design and conduct statistically valid research using appropriate statistical methods and software packages (SAS, R, Sigma Plot). The ideal candidate would have experience working with bacterial or fungal species; conducting research in laboratory, greenhouse and field environments; and contemporary molecular biology and microscopy skills necessary to make an accurate diagnosis. The candidate will have opportunities to pursue research on other diseases of horticultural crops, in addition to grant writing. The candidate should provide evidence of effective communication skills in verbal and written English. Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values of excellence, discovery & innovation, inclusion, freedom & civility, community, and stewardship.

Experience with statistical methods and the use of statistical software packages is highly desirable. Practical experience in the production of vegetable crops would be beneficial, but not required.

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

• 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 at least 3 professional references

For additional information on the position, please contact:

Dr. Gary Vallad

Gulf Coast Research and Education Center

University of Florida, IFAS

14625 CR 672

Wimauma, FL 33598

e-mail: (gvallad@ufl.edu) or phone: (813)-419-6670.

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 of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.