Associate Professor or Professor of Plant Pathology
Plant Disease Ecologist/Pathogen Population Biologist
Home Department
University of Florida (UF)
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS)
Department of Plant Pathology, Gainesville, FL 32611-0680
Location
IFAS and the Emerging Pathogens Institute (EPI)
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
Salary
Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience
Application Deadline
Applications are due by February 15, 2008. A formal review of applications will begin on or before this date and will continue until the position is filled.
Start Date
June 1, 2008 at the earliest.
Responsibilities
This is a tenure-track position in the Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS). Responsibilities of this position will include 80% research in the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station and 20% teaching in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The percentages could change depending on program needs of the unit. IFAS and the Emerging Pathogens Institute (EPI), a newly founded interdisciplinary institute at the University of Florida (http://epi.ufl.edu), are undertaking the recruitment jointly. It provides a unique opportunity to develop a strong, multidisciplinary research program with collaboration from investigators from multiple colleges across the University of Florida campus.
The incumbent is expected to lead an externally funded, internationally recognized research program focused on the population and evolutionary biology of emerging plant pathogens. The incumbent’s program may include but is not limited to analyses of host and pathogen population structures and coevolutionary dynamics, retrospective and predictive modeling of population processes and epidemics, development of predictive models for disease occurrence and prevention and evolutionary studies of experimental populations. Facility with marker development, comparative genomics, quantitative modeling, and evidence for innovative use and development of analytical approaches to population biology is highly desirable. The appointee will be expected to work cooperatively with other faculty members in the Plant Pathology Department on campus as well as those located at the Research and Education Centers and to be an active member of the interdisciplinary Emerging Pathogens Institute (EPI). Completion of the new EPI building will facilitate opportunities for collaborations with investigators from other Colleges undertaking similar projects with human and animal pathogens.
The successful candidate will engage in scholarly activities including teaching and advising undergraduate and graduate students. Teaching responsibilities include the development of a graduate-level course covering principles and applications of pathogen population biology in relation to plant diseases, directing graduate student thesis research, and serving on graduate student committees. The candidate should have a strong commitment to a career in research and teaching and will be expected to support his/her program and a portion of his/her salary with competitive research grants. Program development is expected to include active participation in professional societies, regular publication in appropriate refereed scientific journals, and participation in Department, IFAS, EPI, and UF activities and committees.
Qualifications
Ph.D. in Plant Pathology, Population Genetics, Population Biology, Ecology, or other appropriate field, with a strong background in quantitative approaches. Postdoctoral experience in the relevant area of research is highly desirable. Excellent oral and written communication skills are necessary. Applicant must be able to supervise and manage support personnel, students, and program funds.
Background Information
This position will be tenured in the Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. The Department of Plant Pathology has 13 faculty located on campus and an additional 23 faculty at nine Research and Education Centers and the Kennedy Space Center located throughout the state. The department is also home to several affiliate and courtesy faculty including two USDA-ARS scientists, the Southern Plant Diagnostic Network, and the Plant Medicine Program. The department offers programs leading to B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees. Currently it has an enrollment of around 35 graduate and undergraduate students. Plant Pathology faculty members have received national and international recognition as leaders in teaching, research, and extension. They are engaged in the study of emerging and existing diseases of national concern such as the citrus greening, citrus canker, soybean rust, sudden oak death, and others.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (http://ifas.ufl.edu) includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (http://cals.ufl.edu), the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station (http://research.ifas.ufl.edu), the Florida Cooperative Extension Service (http://extension.ifas.ufl.edu), and the College of Veterinary Medicine (http://vetmed.ufl.edu). It encompasses 15 academic departments and the School of Forest Resources and Conservation, 9 interdisciplinary centers, 13 research and educational centers throughout the state, and Cooperative Extension units in each of Florida’s 67 counties and the Seminole Tribe. The School of Natural Resources and Environment is an interdisciplinary unit housed in IFAS and managed by several colleges on campus. IFAS is one of the largest agricultural and natural resources research and education organizations in the nation, with approximately 950 faculty and 2450 support personnel located in Gainesville and throughout the state. It is administered by a Senior 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.
The Emerging Pathogens Institute (http://epi.ufl.edu/) was established in 2006 with funding from the State of Florida. Its research, teaching, and outreach missions are to develop novel strategies to prevent and contain outbreaks of new diseases. Florida is a “sentinel state” in which new pathogens arrive frequently. The state is in a unique position to anticipate the arrival, and intervene in the spread and establishment, of these threats to agriculture and human and animal health in the United States. Florida’s sub-tropical climate is favorable of the establishment of serious diseases (e.g. West Nile, Malaria, and Asian Citrus Greening) and their vectors. While the EPI will focus on relevant social, agricultural, scientific, clinical, and educational issues related to diseases potentially devastating to the health of Floridians and the State economy, it will also deal with global public health issues and the impact of disease on the global economy.
The University of Florida (http://www.ufl.edu) is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution, encompassing numerous academic and professional disciplines. With an enrollment of nearly 35,000 undergraduate and 15,000 graduate and professional degree students, the University of Florida is one of the largest public universities in the country. It is a member of The Association of American Universities.
Gainesville is an attractive university town of 120,000 located near the geographic center of Florida and midway between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The region is characterized by extensive natural resources, with many lakes, rivers, and natural areas. Recently it was named the No.1 among the 400 cities in the United States and Canada compared in Cities Ranked & Rated, 2nd Edition published by Frommer’s.
Application
To be considered for this position, applicants should submit: a letter of application, curriculum vitae, a description of their professional interests, official transcripts of all college and university work sent directly from the granting institution, and at least three (3) letters of reference sent directly by the referees to Dr. Jeffrey A. Rollins. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
REFER TO POSITION # 00014270
ADDRESS APPLICATIONS TO:
Dr. Jeffrey A. Rollins
Department of Plant Pathology
University of Florida/IFAS
P.O. Box 110680
1453 Fifield Hall
Gainesville, FL 32611-0680
TEL: 352-392-3631, Ext. 235
FAX: 352-392-6532
E-mail: rollinsj@ufl.edu
The University of Florida is an equal opportunity, equal access, affirmative action employer. The “Government in the Sunshine” laws of Florida require that all documents relating to the search process, including letters of application/nomination and reference, be available for public inspection. Persons with disabilities have the right to request and receive reasonable accommodation.