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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.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has created 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 tenure-accruing position that will be 60% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences) and 40% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) available in the Entomology and Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida based in Gainesville. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit. Tenure will accrue in the Entomology and Nematology 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.

Expected Duties

The successful candidate will develop a teaching program related to the integrated pest management of arthropods. The candidate will teach at least three courses annually, including two in Integrated Pest Management (such as Fundamentals of Plant-Pest Management and Insect Pest and Vector Management), and one additional course in the department’s core or their area of specialty.

The successful candidate will develop an internationally recognized and extramurally funded research program related to IPM in agricultural systems. Research themes should broadly focus on IPM of arthropods, including areas such as biological control, cultural and mechanical practices, pesticide use, genetic techniques, and precision agriculture, among others. We particularly encourage programs that incorporate advanced or emerging technology (e.g., drones, “big data”) and are guided by ecological and evolutionary principles that improve sustainable pest management. Collaboration is expected with colleagues engaged in IPM research throughout Florida, the Southern Region, nationally and internationally. The successful candidate’s research program does not need to be tied to a specific commodity or taxonomic group but should complement current research programs in the department.

The successful candidate will engage in scholarly activities related to instruction, including teaching undergraduate and 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 (e.g., study abroad courses).

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 Entomology and Nematology Department has a variety of teaching, research, and Extension programs with 36 faculty members located on the main campus in Gainesville and 37 faculty members located at 11 Research and Education Centers throughout the state. The department’s educational program is the largest of it’s kind in the country and encompasses in-person and online degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate programs. 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 doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Entomology or a closely related discipline is required.  Applicants will be considered if a doctoral degree will be earned by the date of appointment.
• Demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, and interpersonal relationships
• Supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system.
• A commitment to UF core values.

• Postdoctoral experience is desirable
• Experience teaching in-person and/or online
• Experience mentoring graduate and undergraduate students
• Demonstrated ability to procure extramural research funding
• Knowledge of IPM organizations, activities and trends.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by January 9, 2026.  The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

Employment Conditions

This position is available July 1, 2026 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 # 537745

Dr. Norm Leppla

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida, IFAS

Entomology and Nematology Department

1881 Natural Area Drive

Gainesville, FL 32611-0620

Telephone:                               352-273-3951

Facsimile:                                352-392-0190

Electronic Mail:                      ncleppla@ufl.edu

Application Information

• Applicants should go to Careers at UF and submit:
  • Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position, background, and qualifications relative to the duties, responsibilities and qualifications listed above (2-page limit)
  • Statement of teaching and mentoring philosophy and interests relative to the duties and responsibilities above (2-page limit)
  • Statement of research activities and interests relative to the duties and responsibilities above (2-page limit)
  • Current curriculum vitae
  • Contact information (including email addresses) for three individuals willing to write letters of recommendation
  • Unofficial transcripts

The 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 educational institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States. 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 of Florida and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.