Classification Title:

Res Ast Sctst

Job Description:

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 .

This is a 12-month non-tenure-accruing position that will be 100% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station), available in the Department of Plant Pathology, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida.  This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. Viroids are subviral pathogens that cause economic losses in agriculture. Possessing a non-coding genome, host-viroid interactions represent an excellent model to delineate the role of RNA structures in mediating diverse biological functions. Duties will include performing and publishing research, supervising junior lab members, and applying for research grants. The faculty member will seek contract and grant funding actively to support their program.  Successful applicant should meet the following qualifications.

Possessing doctoral degree in plant biology-related disciplines 2 or more years postdoctoral researcher experience 5 or more years research experience on viroid RNA structures and viroid-host interactions Published first-author research papers regarding viroid structure and host interaction in high-profile journal(s) Having excellent background knowledge in viroid biology as demonstrated by first-author review articles in high-profile journal(s) Have excellent communication skills for teamwork

The faculty member will participate actively in undergraduate education and graduate education by chairing graduate committees, serving on graduate committees, supervising thesis and dissertation research, supervising undergraduate research, and publishing the results with their graduate students.

Background Information:

The Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Florida is one of the largest in the US, with 35 faculty located in Gainesville or at eight Research and Education Centers around the state. Our graduate curriculum is extensive, and our more than 60 graduate students are active in professional development activities and STEM education, through the Graduate Student Organization.

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.

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Minimum Requirements:

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Biological or Plant Sciences or a closely related discipline is required.  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 UF core values. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Postdoctoral experience is desirable.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by April 20, 2025.

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

Employment Conditions

This position is available June 1, 2025, and will be filled as soon thereafter as an acceptable applicant is available.  Compensation is commensurate with the education, experience, and qualifications of the selected applicant.

Nominations

Nominations are welcome.  Nominations need to include the complete name and address of the nominee. This information should be sent to:

Please refer to Requisition # 535274

Dr. Svetlana Folimonova

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Department of Plant Pathology

PO Box 110680

Gainesville, FL 32611

Electronic Mail:          svetlana@ufl.edu

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  

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 Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information, and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. 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 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF.

Health Assessment Required: No