JOB ANNOUNCEMENT :: Director and Associate/Full Professor - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

Nov 1, 2016

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The University of Florida/IFAS is accepting applications for the position of Director and Associate/Full Professor of the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. This is a 12-month tenure-accruing position that will be 80% Administration and 20% Extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), available in the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants (CAIP). Tenure will accrue in the program area of the successful candidate. 
 
Duties will be to provide vision and leadership of the CAIP; interact and collaborate with key Federal and State agencies as well as other stakeholders; secure extramural support for programs and infrastructure; supervise CAIP personnel and oversee Center facilities. The Director will identify and develop high priority interdisciplinary research, extension, and educational programs focused on the biology, ecology and management of aquatic and upland invasive plants, and ecosystem restoration. The Director will engage in extension activities in his or her program area.
 
The Director will cooperate with IFAS statewide Faculty, Unit Leaders, District Extension Directors and other IFAS Administrators in developing effective research, extension, and education programs. The Director will represent IFAS on University, Regional, State and National committees. The Director will administratively report to the Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources. 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.

An earned Ph.D. degree (foreign equivalent acceptable) in biology, ecology, natural areas management, environmental science, weed science, or a closely related discipline is required. The candidate should have experience with aquatic and upland invasive plants and demonstrated competence in planning, administering, and evaluating interdisciplinary research, extension, and educational programs. Candidate should have strong 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, and have a commitment to IFAS core values of excellence, diversity, global involvement, and accountability.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials online by January 6, 2017.  The position will open until a viable applicant pool is determined. Individuals wishing to apply should go online to https://jobs.ufl.edu (search for requisition # 499221) and submit:

  • Application
  • A formal letter of application which includes a brief statement of the applicant's leadership skills and vision, administrative philosophy, and ideas on the role of the Center of Aquatic and Invasive Plants.
  • Current Curriculum vitae which includes a biographical sketch, leadership roles, service, consultant roles, and a complete list of publications.
  • Contact information for at least three individuals willing to write letters of recommendation

Nominations are also welcome. Nominations need to include the complete name and address of the nominee. Please refer to Requisition # 499221 and send nominee information to:
Dr. Saqib Mukhtar – Chair, Search and Screen Committee
UF/IFAS Office of the Dean for Extension
1038 McCarty Hall D, Gainesville, FL 32611
Phone: (352) 392-1761; fax: (352) 846-0458;
email: smukhtar@ufl.edu


By Gale Perez
Author - Public Education Specialist
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