Dir & Prof

Candidates for the rank of professor shall be qualified for the rank of associate professor and, in addition, be a recognized national or international authority or an outstanding teacher in their field or specialization. A candidate for this rank must have a distinguished record of achievement beyond the associate professor level.

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 that will be 80% administration and 20% teaching, available in the School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE), College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), at the University of Florida. Tenure will be in an IFAS Department most relevant to the selected candidate’s professional area. Though this assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit, typical duties will include providing the following:

(1) Vision, support and coordination in planning, developing, and implementing SNRE programs in accordance with the Land-Grant Mission (teaching, research, and extension);

(2) Leadership in recruiting and fostering academic growth and professional development of faculty, staff, and students;

(3) Leadership in building partnerships with other departments and units across the University of Florida and IFAS.

(4) Facilitation and management of multiple degree programs (B.A., B.S., M.S., Ph.D.) and affiliate faculty engagement with SNRE students;

(5) Supervision and evaluation of program faculty and staff performance;

(6) Oversight of the School’s human and financial resources;

(7) Promotion of programs across UF, statewide, nationally, and globally;

(8) Engagement with alumni and fundraising opportunities;

(9) Service as the Graduate Coordinator; and

(10) Instruction in courses (Expected to teach at least one class per year in the SNRE curricula).

The next Director of SNRE will have the opportunity to build on the School’s strong campus-wide, interdisciplinary, student-focused programs. Opportunities include strengthening collaborations with departments and building new ones for interdisciplinary environmental and ecological scholarship across campus, increasing the visibility of the program, enhancing relationships with external supporters, and expanding the SNRE’s impacts across campus colleges, schools, departments, and off-campus research and education centers across Florida.   Other opportunities include leading efforts to grow the online self-funded M.S. program started in 2025, leading efforts to establish new programs (e.g., certificates) and courses as needed, and providing leadership in assessment and development of student recruitment strategies. 

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 School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE) offers campus-wide, interdisciplinary degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The school operates horizontally across UF's elaborate structure of academic disciplines. The school has three full-time lecturers and one dually appointed faculty position, which is shared with another academic unit.

Inspired by the globally renowned legacy left by UF faculty members H.T. Odum (1987 Crafoord Prize in Biosciences winner - Pioneer of Ecosystem Ecology) and C.S. 'Buzz' Holling (2008 Volvo Environment Prize winner - Father of Resilience Theory), SNRE offers degrees in Environmental Science (B.S. and B.A.) and Interdisciplinary Ecology (M.S. and Ph.D.). The Interdisciplinary Ecology M.S. degree program is also offered as an online option for place-bound environmental sciences professionals. The student body includes 157 graduate students and 155 undergraduate students. SNRE builds on the University's existing strengths by encouraging select academic departments and other organizational units of the University to participate in SNRE's activities. Currently, more than 350 affiliate faculty from 50 academic departments and 35 UF Research Centers and Institutes in 12 academic colleges participate in the SNRE 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 Experience and Education

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in environmental, ecological, agricultural, and/or life sciences, or a closely related discipline is required. Evidence of effective administrative and/or leadership experience, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary work to address major environmental and/or natural resource management challenges. Candidates should have a distinguished record of scholarship and teaching, and/or engagement in natural resources, and demonstrated ability to identify and develop resources and opportunities. Candidates should demonstrate ability to foster interdisciplinary scholarship, education, and collaboration across organizational boundaries. They should also have demonstrated skills in: effective verbal and written communication, and establishing and maintaining professional relationships. Candidates should have experience advising graduate thesis and dissertation research programs and must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system and must also be committed to UF core values. 

Experience in curriculum development and/or management at a land grant institution. Evidence of effective administrative experience in an interdisciplinary program. Record of building and sustaining partnerships. Demonstrated commitment to innovative, rigorous, and student-centered undergraduate and graduate education, and consultative leadership style with demonstrated ability to build consensus. Experience leading undergraduate and graduate teaching programs

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by December 1, 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 # 541842

P. Chris Wilson

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences

3167 McCarty Hall A

POB 110290

Gainesville, FL 32611-0290

Telephone:                               352.294.3166

Facsimile:                                352.392.3399

Electronic Mail:                      pcwilson@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
• Administrative/Teaching Philosophy Statement
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information (including email addresses) for three (3) 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 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.