Title: Professor and Chair

Location:
Entomology and Nematology Department
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, USA

Salary: Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience

Review Date:
For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit additional materials by April 15, 2022. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is committed to creating an environment that affirms diversity across a variety of dimensions, including ability, class, ethnicity, race, gender identity and expression. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. We strongly encourage historically underrepresented groups to apply.

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 .

Duties and Responsibilities:
The chair of the department provides: (1) vision, support, and coordination in planning, developing and implementing departmental programs in teaching, research, and extension in accord with the Land Grant Mission; (2) leadership in recruiting and fostering academic growth and professional development of faculty, staff, and students; (3) administration of the department’s human and financial resources; and (4) promotion of external funding opportunities.  The chair administers state, national, and international programs of the department. The chair fosters shared governance, as outlined in the department by-laws, evaluates faculty and staff performance, and encourages the proactive development of strategic programs.  The chair represents departmental and faculty interests with administrators, other departments and units, outside agencies, individuals and groups in natural resources, industry, and communities.  The chair collaborates with the Vice President, Deans, Associate and Assistant Deans, other IFAS Chairs and Research and Education Center Directors, and other administrators in providing leadership for delivering integrated programs to meet the needs of students, Florida Agriculture, Citizens of the state of Florida, Extension clientele, research sponsors, and other stakeholders.

Qualifications
The chair must have:

• An earned Doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Entomology, Nematology, Biological Sciences or a related discipline
• A record of outstanding leadership, management, scholarly achievement and professional activities related to teaching, research, extension, and/or industry that will qualify the individual to be a tenured full professor in the Department
• Ability to direct an academic department engaged in teaching, research, and extension activities at a major Land-Grant university with faculty located throughout the state
• Demonstrated ability to direct interdisciplinary, grant-funded fundamental science and applied research
• Previous experience leading and managing multidisciplinary programs
• Effective administrative leadership and managerial skills in: defining organizational objectives; developing strategic approaches to planning; managing human, fiscal, and physical resources; motivating people and developing effective teams; pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities; generating and managing grant funds in support of teaching, research, and extension; demonstrated experience in actively fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive departmental atmosphere; facilitating mentoring and retention of new faculty; and securing private funds
• Strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate student recruitment and retention for all academic programs in Entomology and Nematology
• Demonstrated ability to interact well with students, faculty, staff, administrators within the university, and external stakeholders at the state, federal, and international levels
• Evidence of established and effective leadership in outreach to industry and engagement with diverse groups
• Commitment to shared governance and fostering strong collaborations among state faculty located on the main campus and at the IFAS Research and Education Centers and to continued professional development for self, and faculty and staff
• Commitment to supporting faculty who have international programs in teaching, research, and extension
• Strong support and understanding of the mission of a Land Grant university

Background Information:
The Department of Entomology and Nematology (http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/) has diverse teaching, research, and extension programs with 36 faculty members located on main campus in Gainesville and 41 faculty located at 11 Research and Education Centers (RECs) throughout the state.  With such a large and diverse faculty, the Department ranks as one of the very best in the world and excels in each of its mission areas – teaching, research (basic and applied), and extension. 

 The University of Florida (http://www.ufl.edu) is a top 5 public university and 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 (http://ifas.ufl.edu) includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (http://cals.ufl.edu), the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station (http://research.ifas.ufl.edu), the Florida Cooperative Extension Service (http://extension.ifas.ufl.edu), the College of Veterinary Medicine (http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu), the Florida Sea Grant program (http://www.flseagrant.org/ ), and encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments and schools, 12 RECs 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 University of Florida is located in Gainesville, which is often recognized as one of Florida's most livable cities and one of the best college towns in America. Located in the heart of beautiful North Central Florida, Gainesville maintains a small-town feel, but offers many amenities found in much larger metro areas as well as access to many natural areas for outdoor recreation including state parks, rivers, springs, and access to the beach within a short drive. With an expanding downtown, a strong cultural arts following and a wide variety of shops and restaurants, world class medical care facilities and low cost of living, Gainesville and Alachua County is one of the best places to work, live and play.

Employment Conditions:
Review of application materials will begin on or around April 15, 2022, and will continue until a viable applicant pool is determined.  This position is available July 1, 2022, and will be filled as soon thereafter as an acceptable applicant is available.

Applications:
Individuals wishing to apply must go online to https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/520377 and submit:

1. Letter of application that states applicant’s interest in the position,
2. Complete vita (which includes a statement of current position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above, previous professional responsibilities and achievements, administrative and management philosophy, a statement on the candidate’s vision for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how these relate to the chairs’ position.  The letter should include the applicant’s general strategy for building and sustaining this department responsibilities)
3. Names and contact information of three individuals who are knowledgeable about the applicant’s qualifications for this position

Contact Information and Nomination Submission:
Please refer to Requisition # 520377 and forward all nominations to:
Dr. Eric Hellgren
Chair, Search and Screen Committee
University of Florida
Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
115 Newins-Ziegler Hall
Gainesville, FL 32611
Telephone: 352-846-0552
Electronic Mail: hellgren@ufl.edu

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 of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.