Ast/Aso Prof

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 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 .

We are seeking a dynamic scholar, educator, and communicator for a 12- month Assistant/Associate Professor position that will be 60% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences) and 40% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station), available in the West Florida Research and Education (WFREC), Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), at the University of Florida. Tenure will accrue in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (WEC).  This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the WFREC and WEC.    

This position will focus on diverse wildlife conservation issues. The individual is expected to assume teaching duties in a dynamic on-going natural resource conservation program at WFREC. The successful candidate will deliver three-four courses annually. Courses will include Wetland Wildlife Ecology, Wildlife of Florida, and Wildlife of Florida Lab annually. Additional courses alternating annually could include Wildlife Habitat Management, Wildlife Techniques, or other courses depending on candidate’s experience and interests. The faculty member will support both undergraduate and graduate education, including chairing and serving on graduate student committees, supervising thesis and dissertation research, supervising undergraduate research, and publishing with graduate students. Faculty are encouraged to support and participate in the CALS Honors Program, distance education, and international education

The faculty member will conduct applied research on conservation and management of coastal systems including wetlands with an emphasis on the panhandle of Florida. The selected applicant is expected to develop a recognized, externally-funded research program in coastal related issues that can serve the stakeholders of Florida.  Priority areas of research include conservation and management of wetland/coastal wildlife species and habitats, coastal and wetland restoration, the effects of global change on coastal and wetland structure and function, ecosystem services of coastal ecosystems including wetlands, and international conservation and management of wetland species. West Florida Research and Education Center is a multidisciplinary center and leads research in north Florida ecosystems. Candidates should have the ability and desire to participate in interdisciplinary collaboration with colleagues.

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.

This position is part of an off-campus teaching program, which has been established at the WFREC and is a collaborative effort between the University of Florida, Pensacola State College (PSC) and the University of West Florida.  This unique teaching program, located at the PSC Milton campus approximately 20 miles northeast of Pensacola, FL, allows students to pursue a B.S. degree in Natural Resource Conservation or Plant Sciences.  In addition to excellent facilities at the Milton campus, a 640-acre research and demonstration farm is located about 12 miles north of Milton in Jay, FL.  The program at PSC-Milton campus is one of a select few academic programs offered at locations outside Gainesville. 

Coastal ecosystems including wetlands are important ecosystems globally and particularly important in Florida. With 1,350 miles of coastline, ~12,000 square miles of freshwater surface area including 7,800 lakes with associated wetland littoral zones, and countless ephemeral, isolated wetlands, opportunities for research in the state are vast. Research on ecology and restoration efforts focused on coastal and wetland habitats with emphasis on focal taxa has been conducted at WFREC and is a continuing research need. Focal taxa of research projects could include waterfowl as well as Threatened & Endangered species such as wading birds (e.g., Wood Storks, Reddish Egrets), shore and marsh birds (e.g. American Oyster Catchers, Snowy Plover, Black Rail), mammals (e.g., beach mice, salt marsh vole, American mink), amphibians (e.g., striped newt, flatwoods salamander), and reptiles (e.g. Atlantic saltmarsh snake).

WFREC faculty and staff are dedicated to interdisciplinary research, extension, and teaching programs that meet the needs of local clientele with statewide, nationwide as well as global impacts. The location of WFREC allows families to enjoy the advantages of rural living while being within minutes of Pensacola, one of Florida's major cities, Gulf of Mexico beaches, and extensive public forest lands. 

Commensurate with Experience and Education

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Wildlife Ecology or a closely related discipline is required and research interests related to applied coastal ecology and wetland wildlife questions. Candidates should have strong teaching and research background, constructive professional relationships, ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with scientific, stakeholder, and student audiences, and ability to procure extramural funding. Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system. Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.

Postdoctoral experience is desirable. 

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by May 17, 2026.  The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

Nominations

Nominations are welcome.  Nominations need to include the complete name and address of the nominee. This information should be sent to the Search and Screen Committee at the address shown below.

Please refer to Requisition # 539577

Dr. Victoria Donovan

Chair, Search and Screen Committee 

UF/IFAS WFREC 

5988 Highway 90 

Building 4900 

Milton, Florida 32583 

Telephone:    850-983-7128  

Facsimile:      850-983-5774 

Email:             victoria.donovan@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 3 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 and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.