Research Assistant Scientist

Job Description: The 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 --7 or the Florida Relay System at --1 (TDD) or visit . This is a -month non-tenure-track position that will be % research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station), available in the Horticultural Sciences Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.  The selected candidate will join the Potato Management Lab, leading research efforts to address major challenges within Florida’s vegetable production systems. Lead a translational research and extension program advancing precision subirrigation and nutrient management for specialty crops on sandy soils. The scientist will design and execute field and laboratory studies, develop decision-support tools for site-specific irrigation, quantify water and nutrient dynamics, manage grants and partnerships, publish high-impact findings, and deliver actionable recommendations to growers and agencies. The faculty member will establish a extramural funded research program focus on the integrating precision agriculture technologies to enhance productivity, sustainability and decision-making of vegetable production system. The key responsibilities are: 1) advance precision subirrigation and controlled drainage strategies to improve irrigation water use efficiency and reduce nutrient losses in vegetable production fields; 2) develop soil physical–hydrological models (e.g., soil–water retention models and pedotransfer functions) and integrate crop–climate models (e.g., DSSAT) to support site-specific irrigation and fertilization recommendations; 3) integrate sensor-based monitoring systems for water table control and soil moisture management; 4) design data-driven decision support tools for growers and extension agents to implement best management practices; 5) translate research findings into field demonstrations, extension publications, and outreach programs to promote adoption of sustainable practices, and 6) maintain an exemplary publication rate of peer-review research articles. The faculty member will collaborate with other faculties, postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students at various departments at UF. The faculty member will seek contract and grant funding actively to support their program. Background Information: The is a unit within IFAS at the University of Florida and has a variety of teaching, research, and extension education programs with faculty in Gainesville and faculty at various Research and Education Centers throughout the state. The Horticultural Sciences Department is currently ranked top 9 in the center for world university rankings. The is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than , students. UF is a member of The Association of American Universities. The includes the , the , the , the , the program, and encompasses on-campus academic departments and schools, 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 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, people, which includes approximately salaried faculty and 1, 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 Education and Experience Required Qualifications: A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Horticultural Sciences, Agronomy, or a closely related discipline is required. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to conduct research on precision subirrigation and controlled drainage automation for vegetable production systems; assess water quality in agroecosystems and evaluate nutrient dynamics under different irrigation and drainage strategies; implement fertilizer management strategies for crop production with a focus on nutrient use efficiency and environmental sustainability; and develop data-driven tools for site-specific soil moisture and water table recommendations for vegetable production systems. Strong skills in data analysis and statistical modeling using tools such as R, SAS, or Python are required. Candidates should have demonstrated 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. Candidates must also have a commitment to .  Preferred: Research experience in vegetable crop management, mineral nutrition, soil physics laboratory analyses Familiarity with crop physiology, soil-water-nutrient dynamics, and best management practices for vegetable production. Knowledge of sensor-based irrigation systems. Background in extension and outreach activities, including field demonstrations and grower engagement.