Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Urban Entomology

Department of Entomology & Nematology, Univerity of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

18/04/2024

Open until filled

https://entnemdept.ufl.edu

This is a 9-month tenure-accruing position that will be 80% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 20% teaching (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences) available in the Entomology and Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida in Gainesville FL, where tenure will accrue. The nature of the assignment may change in accordance with the changing needs of the department and IFAS. The successful candidate must demonstrate evidence of strong training and experience with modern biological approaches to the study of integrated pest management of insects of importance in and around the built environment. Florida is regularly challenged with emerging and invasive urban pests. The incumbent will be expected to develop successful research and teaching programs with an emphasis on biology and management of urban and structural pests; they will have access to urban entomology endowment funds to support these programs. The candidate will be expected to engage in and contribute to addressing issues of importance to stakeholders in our state and to broader collaborative efforts related to urban pest management. This is a broad-based search. Research areas could include, but are not limited to behavior, ecology, genetics, physiology and toxicology of urban/structural pests. Entomologists that are strongly motivated to address important questions promoting sustainable and integrated pest management-based solutions for urban pests are encouraged to apply. Urban pest management is a departmental strength at UF with 8 urban entomology faculty members and the incumbent will be expected to interact and synergize with these urban pest management programs. Opportunities exist for collaboration with urban entomologists on the Gainesville campus, at UF Research and Education Centers, IFAS County extension, regulators for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the various urban pest management associations in Florida, nationally and internationally. The successful candidate will participate actively in scholarly activities related to instruction, including chairing and serving on graduate committees, supervising undergraduate and graduate research and creative work, publishing results with graduate students, and engaging in professional development activities related to mentoring and advising. Course development and deployment will be negotiated based on a combination of the successful candidate’s areas of expertise and departmental curricular needs, including the potential for online and distance learning formats. The faculty member will aggressively seek contract and grant funding to support their program and must consistently publish scientific publications both in peer-reviewed journals and other appropriate venues. Faculty are expected to participate in professional development activities such as training in mentoring, grant writing and intercultural competency. UF/IFAS is a land-grant institution under which 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. Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Entomology or related field, with experience in urban pest management. Candidates must have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships, publication in peer-reviewed journals, and procurement of extramural funding. Candidates must have the aptitude and motivation necessary for cooperation with a varied group of stakeholders, including the pest control industry, technology providers, county extension personnel, staff, faculty, and statewide colleagues. Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values. Familiarity with urban pests or arthropods of regulatory concern; including but not limited to termites, ants, cockroaches, wood destroying beetles, stored product pests, occasional invaders, nuisance, biting and venomous arthropods in the urban environments.