University of Florida
Assistant/Associate Professor – Improvement of Flavor Profiles of Specialty Crops
🇺🇸Gainesville, Florida, United States2 days ago
MidFull TimeEN
Ast/Aso Prof
Classification Minimum Requirements:Candidates for this rank shall hold the highest degree appropriate to their field. A candidate shall be expected to demonstrate successful experience pertinent to the position they are being recommended and have demonstrated qualities relevant to the goals of the academic unit in which they will be employed.
Job Description:The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. 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 tenure-accruing position with an 70% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 30% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences) appointment, available in the Horticultural Sciences Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida, Gainesville main campus. The assignment may change in accordance with the needs of IFAS and the unit.
Research Duties: Advances in biochemistry, metabolomics, metabolic engineering, and genomics for high-value fruit and vegetable crops are opening new and valuable research opportunities for flavor genomics applied to plant breeding. This position will be responsible for conducting innovative research exploring appropriate tools (e.g. chemistry/molecular biology/genomics/metabolomics/quantitative genetics) to better understand the genetics and biochemistry of fruit/vegetable flavor, and texture in specialty crops. While this position is open for research in any crop, the candidate is expected to dedicate effort into research on flavor profiles of specialty crops by utilizing new and previously established resources on tomato flavor biochemistry, genomics, and genetics, focused on understanding the biochemical and molecular bases of flavor and the improvement of flavor in modern cultivars. The position is also expected to collaborate closely with the UF tomato breeding program and other members of the department and the wider UF research community. The appointee will conduct the research program with strong extramural funding and is expected to publish research in peer-reviewed journals and participate in the graduate education program.
Teaching duties: Teaching duties will include undergraduate and/or graduate courses related to genetics, biochemistry and breeding. The appointed will contribute effort in teaching PCB 5065 Advanced Genetics. The appointed will participate actively in 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.
Tenure will accrue in the Horticultural Sciences Department. The faculty member will seek contract and grant funding actively to support their program. The faculty member will engage in Extension activities in their program area.
The successful candidate will engage in scholarly activities related to instruction, including teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses, advising and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, participating in curriculum revision and enhancement, seeking funding for the teaching program, supervising undergraduate and graduate research and creative work, publishing teaching-related scholarship, producing learning tools, and engaging in professional development activities related to teaching and advising. Faculty are encouraged to support and participate in the CALS Honors Program, distance education, and international education.
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.
Background Information:
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 Experience and Education
Required Qualifications:A doctorate in plant breeding, biochemistry, genetics and genomics, or a related discipline is required, together with a strong interest in the genetics and biochemistry of fruit/vegetable flavor. Candidates should have demonstrated verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal relationships, working cooperatively with others, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries, team leadership and organization, and the ability to obtain 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:Postdoctoral experience is desirable. Experience with flavor chemistry, molecular breeding, , and specialty crops is desirable. Familiarity with tomato breeding or tomato genetics is also desirable.
Special Instructions to Applicants:For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by June 15th, 2026. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.
Employment Conditions
This position is available January 2027 , 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 # 539811
Marcio Resende
Chair, Search and Screen Committee
University of Florida
2550 Hull Road,
Gainesville, FL 32611
Telephone: 352.273.4772,
Electronic Mail: mresende@ufl.edu
Application Information
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 and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.
Health Assessment Required: No
