Research Assistant Scientist In Vitro Breeding

University of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Florida is hiring a Research Assistant Scientist In Vitro Breeding on the Gainesville campus for a 12-month, non-tenure-accruing position. The role leads the In vitro Breeding Team and drives tissue culture and cellular manipulation to develop superior blueberry cultivars.

Reporting to the program director, you will advance research lines, manage projects, and secure collaborations. You will collaborate to automate germplasm conservation, propagation, and diversity enhancement

Qualifications

• A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in plant breeding or a closely related discipline is required.
• Hands-on experience in plant breeding technologies, tissue culture and ploidy manipulation.
• Experience with blueberry regeneration strategies and plant clonal propagation.
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to UF core values and Land-Grant mission.

Responsibilities

• Lead the In vitro Breeding Team and collaborate with the Blueberry Breeding Program's Director.
• Develop and integrate advanced plant tissue culture techniques and cellular manipulation strategies.
• Advance cultivar development, germplasm conservation, propagation and diversity.
• Manage projects, secure collaborations and funding, and report progress to stakeholders.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Doctorate in plant breeding or closely related discipline

Tools

Tissue culture

Ploidy manipulation

Clonal propagation

Job description

Research Assistant Scientist In Vitro Breeding

Job No: 541611

Work Type: Full Time

Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)

Categories: Biology/Life Science, Agricultural Sciences

Department: 60230000 - AG-HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES

Job Description

Classification Title: Res Ast Sctst

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

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. 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.

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 conservation, 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.

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 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.

Expected Salary

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 life 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.

Applications Close

19 October 2026

Health Assessment Required

No

Our Commitment

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Hiring is contingent on 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.

Eligibility and Background Checks

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.

Nominations

Nominations are welcome. Nominations need to include the complete name and address of the nominee. This information should be sent to:

• Dr. Felix Enciso
  Chair, Search and Screen Committee
  University of Florida
  Horticultural Sciences Department
  2560 Hull Road, bldg. 0906
  Gainesville, FL 32611
  Email: [e-mail]

Please refer to Requisition # 541611