Research Assistant Scientist In Vitro Breeding

University Of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Florida is seeking an experienced Research Assistant Scientist in In Vitro Breeding to lead the blueberry tissue culture and cloning program at UF's Horticultural Sciences Department. The role emphasizes advancing plant tissue culture techniques and cellular manipulation to develop superior cultivars for Florida agriculture.

The successful candidate will drive in vitro breeding, coordinate with the program's director and secure collaborations and funding while reporting progress to

Qualifications

• Doctoral-level training with hands-on experience in plant breeding technologies and tissue culture.
• Ability to work with blueberry and other specialty crops; experience with ploidy manipulation and clonal propagation.

Responsibilities

• Lead in vitro breeding activities and advance tissue culture techniques for blueberry germplasm.
• Collaborate with program director to develop research lines and secure funding.
• Report progress and outputs to stakeholders; contribute to biotechnological strategy development.

Skills

Plant breeding

Tissue culture

Ploidy manipulation

Regeneration strategies

Communication skills

Project management

Education

Doctorate in plant breeding or closely related discipline

Job description

Research Assistant Scientist In Vitro Breeding

Job no: 541611
Work type: Non-Tenure-Track Faculty
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Biology/Life Science, Agricultural Sciences
Department: 60230000 - AG-HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES

Classification Title:

Highest degree possible in field; Evidence of pertinent experience for the position and qualities for the academic unit.

This is a 12-month non-tenure-accruing position that will be 100% research (Blueberry Breeding Program), 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 Blueberry Breeding Program.

The faculty member will serve as the In vitro Breeding Team Leader. Duties will include working closely with the Blueberry Breeding Program’s Director to develop and integrate advanced plant tissue culture techniques and cellular manipulation strategies to advance the development of superior cultivars at the University of Florida. Additionally, the faculty member will work on elaborating research lines, managing projects, securing collaboration and funds, and actively supporting the innovation of biotechnological strategies and automation systems to optimize germplasm concervation, propagation, enhance diversity and generate new cultivars support Florida’s agriculture sector. The research outcomes will broaden the breeding capacity and will also be implemented in an operational manner. The faculty member will be responsible for reporting progress, outputs, and impacts to interested stakeholders.

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 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, 6 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 Horticultural Sciences Department is a unit within IFAS at the University of Florida and has a variety of teaching, research, and extension education programs with 34 faculty in Gainesville and 26 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 Blueberry Breeding Program , is part of the Horticultural Science Department and is directed and led by Dr. Patricio Munoz, an associate professor with over 20 years of expertise in plant breeding. The program aims to develop new blueberry cultivars and advance research methodologies to expedite the cultivar development process.

Commensurate with Experience and Education

Required Qualifications:

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in plant breeding or a closely related discipline is required. Candidates must also have hands‑on experience in plant breeding technologies, be experts in tissue culture and have experience related to ploidy manipulation, cellular cicle manipulation, blueberry regeneration strategies and plant clonal propagation. Also, faculty must have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication and interpersonal relationships. Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land‑Grant system. Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.

Preferred:

• Postdoctoral experience and industry experience in plant breeding, tissue culture, working with blueberry and other specialty crops.
• Experience using transcriptomic information to assist in breeding strategies and tissue culture.
• Experience with tissue culture training and R&D leadership.
• Experience collaborating with industry partners and translating research into applied outcomes.
• Demonstrated project management and leadership experience, including building collaborations among a variety of interdisciplinary scientific teams.
• Grant writing and budgeting for scientific discovery.
• Multi‑lingual to operate in an international context.
• Supervision skills for communications and administrative staff.

Employment Conditions

This position is available November 2026, and will be filled as soon thereafter as an acceptable applicant is available. Compensation is commensurate with the education, experience, and qualifications of the selected applicant.

Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year‑round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.

Health Assessment Required:

Health Assessment Required: No

Advertised: 05 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 19 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.