Assistant/Associate Professor (Plant Breeder)

Assistant/Associate Professor (Plant Breeder) Job No: 540388 Work Type: Tenure-Track Faculty Location: Palm Beach Job Overview This is a 12‑month tenure‑accruing position that will be 70 % research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 30 % extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service) in the Everglades Research and Education Center, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Responsibilities Improve lettuce cultivars of romaine and iceberg types for Florida production, with focus on other lettuce types and leafy vegetables such as spinach, chard, and kale. Develop breeding lines and cultivars adapted to various environmental conditions across Florida, especially the Everglades Agricultural Area. Use multidisciplinary research approaches to address disease resistance, heat tolerance, nutrient use efficiency, weed management, post‑harvest technology, and alternative lettuce production systems. Collaborate with stakeholders, breeders in other states, federal agencies, and vegetable grower organizations including the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association. Publish research results in refereed journals, produce extension publications, and seek contract and grant funding to support the program. Engage in extension activities in the program area. Participate actively in undergraduate and graduate education: chair and serve on graduate committees, supervise thesis and dissertation research, publish research results with students, and teach courses and seminars. Support all three mission areas—Research, Teaching, and Extension—regardless of the assignment split specified. Required Qualifications Doctorate (or foreign equivalent) in Plant Breeding, Horticulture, or a closely related discipline. Postdoctoral experience required. Strong experience in plant breeding, cultivar development, and molecular techniques for crop improvement. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, work cooperatively with faculty, extension staff, growers, and secure extramural funding. Commitment to the Land‑Grant Mission and to UF core values. Preferred Qualifications Experience with leafy vegetable breeding programs. The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr University Of Florida