Assistant/Associate Professor – Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences; Nutrient Management Specialist

University of Florida; Shahdol; On-site; INR 5,660,377 - 8,490,565; Full time

Job summary

The University of Florida seeks an Ast/Aso Professor to work at the Range Cattle Research and Education Center in Shahdol, India. This 12-month tenure-accruing role will primarily involve research and extension efforts aimed at improving livestock nutrient management practices. Candidates must have a doctorate in relevant scientific fields and strong communication skills. Responsibilities include conducting research, collaborating with industry stakeholders, and engaging in education. Salary is commensurate with experience and education.

Qualifications

• Doctorate required in relevant fields.
• Demonstrated communication and interpersonal relationship skills.
• Ability to seek extramural funding.

Responsibilities

• Develop research on nutrient management for livestock.
• Collaborate with faculty and stakeholders.
• Engage in undergraduate and graduate supervision.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal relationships

Extramural funding procurement

Education

Doctorate in Soil, Water, and/or Ecosystem Sciences or Agronomy

Job description

Classification Minimum Requirements

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.

Classification Title

Ast/Aso Prof

Job Description

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. This is a 12‑month tenure‑accruing position that will be 40% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 60% extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), available at the Range Cattle Research and Education Center (RCREC). The faculty member will develop efficient and economical land‑use and nutrient‑management practices to improve forage growth and quality for beef and dairy systems in central and south Florida. Research responsibilities include field and laboratory studies on nutrient requirements of forage crops grown for hay or in multiforage grazing systems, and establishing relationships among forage nutrient needs, soil tests, and plant tissue analyses aligned with the 4R’s of fertilizer management. Additional research may address nutrient cycling, soil health, and minimizing nutrient losses, as well as integrating AI and/or precision agriculture. The position requires close collaboration with hydrology and water quality, agronomy, and animal science faculty at RCREC and other UF/IFAS units, as well as engagement with stakeholders such as the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agricultural Water Policy, and Water Management Districts to ensure programs align with industry priorities. Extension duties include supporting county faculty in implementing best‑management practices for forage production, soil health, and water quality. The faculty member will set research and extension priorities; conduct experiments and demonstrations; publish refereed and extension materials; deliver presentations to a variety of audiences; and seek extramural funding.

The successful candidate will participate actively in undergraduate and graduate education by chairing and serving on graduate committees, supervising dissertations, theses, and undergraduate research, and publishing research results with students. Faculty are encouraged to participate in professional development activities related to teaching and advising. Faculty may also teach courses and guest lecture. 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

This position will reside at the Range Cattle Research and Education Center, which is a unit of the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), and is located on a 2,840‑acre site eight miles south of Ona, FL. The Center is situated in an agricultural region where beef and dairy cattle, citrus, vegetables, and ornamental horticulture are major industries. The Center has four faculty programs and 16 support staff. The University of Florida is a Land‑Grant, Sea‑Grant, and Space‑Grant institution with a strong focus on agriculture and natural resources research and education.

Expected Salary

Commensurate with Experience and Education

Required Qualifications

• A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Soil, Water, and/or Ecosystem Sciences, Agronomy, or a closely related discipline is required.
• Demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, interpersonal relationships, and procurement of extramural funding.
• Supportive of the mission of the Land‑Grant system.
• Commitment to UF core values.

Preferred

Postdoctoral experience and evidence of developing an independent research program are desirable. Working effectively with local clientele will be a large component of this position.

Health Assessment Required

No