Professor of Maize Genomics

University of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Florida invites applications for a Professor of Maize Genomics on the Gainesville campus. This 9-month tenure-accruing faculty position in the Horticultural Sciences Department, IFAS, combines 20% teaching and 80% research, with emphasis on evolutionary plant genomics, AI pipelines for genome assembly, and crop diversity.

Candidates must hold a doctorate in Genetics or related field, have a distinguished record, and demonstrate ability to secure extramural funding.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Genetics or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability in verbal and written communication and interpersonal relationships.
• Proven track record in securing extramural funding.

Responsibilities

• Teach 20% of time in CALS and/or related courses.
• Lead research in maize genomics and AI-driven analyses.
• Develop large-scale pangenomic initiatives and collaborations.
• Seek extramural funding and publish in top journals.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Grant funding

Education

Doctorate in Genetics or related field

Job description

Professor of Maize Genomics

Job No: 541516
Work Type: Full Time
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Biology/Life Science, Agricultural Sciences
Department: 60230000 - AG-HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES

Job Description

Classification Title:

Prof

Classification Minimum Requirements:

Candidates for the faculty 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 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 9-month tenure-accruing position that will be 20% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences), 80% 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 programmatic emphasis for this position centers on the intersection of evolutionary plant genomics, and artificial intelligence to identify foundational gene networks underpinning maize domestication, anthropogenic improvement and adaptation to cultivated systems and environmental change. An expectation of this position is a leadership role in large-scale pangenomic initiatives to characterize the diversity of crops like maize and its wild relatives, providing critical crop agnostic resources for crop improvement and breeding.

Research areas of concentration include the following: Genetic architecture of adaptation: Investigating how maize adapts to diverse and changing environments, with a particular focus on adaptations to abiotic stresses from highlands across the Americas; Domestication and introgression: Analyzing the genomic signatures left by the domestication of teosinte and the subsequent gene flow between wild and domesticated varieties; Computational tool development: Creating and benchmarking artificial intelligence pipelines for de nova genome assembly, transposable element annotation, and genomic quality assessment. The expectation for this position includes successful acquisition of extramural funding from sources like NSF (PGRP, CNIC, etc.), FFAR, USDA-ARS, and/or industry partners sufficient to support the research program. Publications for this position are expected to appear in top 5% and Q1 journals as appropriate for the audience of the data including, Nature, Science, Nature Genetics, Genome Biology, Plant Cell and the Proceedings of the National Academy Sciences.

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. Teaching and co-teaching courses in the areas of Plant genetics and Genomics is expected via existing courses, such as Advanced Genetics (PCB 5065-4 Cr., Team Taught), Journal Colloquium in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology (PCB 7922) -1 Cr.) and development of a graduate course in Evolutionary and Ecological Genomics and Crop diversity (2-3 credits), based on identified gaps in the current course offerings and skill set of the candidate.

Tenure will accrue in the Horticultural Sciences Department. Other than research and teaching duties described above, the faculty member will engage in Extension activities appropriately related to the program area. 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 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 (IFAS) 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, six 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. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.

Salary

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Required Qualifications

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Genetics or a closely related discipline is 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 UF core values.

Preferred Qualifications

Postdoctoral research, experience in building successful scholarly collaborations, demonstrated success in grant funding in genomic research and skills in teaching in the emerging genomic sciences are preferred.

Health Assessment

Health Assessment Required: No

Applications Close

12 October 2026

Our Commitment

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the U.S. The University of Florida is a public institution and is subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. 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.