Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Application Deadline: Completed applications should be received by February 15^th, 2008.

RESPONSIBILITIES: This is a 12-month, non-tenure track position, annually renewed, supporting 80% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 20% (Cooperative Extension Service) projects and programs. The incumbent will manage the Analytical Services Laboratories (ASL) in Gainesville comprising of the Environmental Water Quality & Analytical Research Laboratories (EWQL and ARL) for research and Extension Soil Testing and Waste Testing Laboratories (ESTL and WTL) for extension that process soil, tissue, water and waste samples year-round. The EWQL offers analyses according to NELAP certification. Annual renewal of the NELAP certification is one of the responsibilities of this position. All the services offered by the ASL will be coordinated to accomplish the research and educational missions of IFAS. The incumbent is responsible for timely analyses of all samples, personnel, and fiscal affairs at the ASL and will report directly to the Director and the Chair of the Soil & Water Science Department. The incumbent shall work with the Director and SWSD Chair and the IFAS ASL Oversight Committee to generate policies for these laboratories.

The incumbent should be highly motivated and experienced in developing and implementing analytical and laboratory procedures to improve all the services, coordinating the QA and database programs, implementing all policies regarding technical, fiscal, and personnel aspects consistent with current UF/IFAS and Laboratory policies. The incumbent should be experienced with laboratory instrumentation, be able to troubleshoot, provide effective technical support to personnel, effectively plan and implement improvements throughout the Lab. This position requires abilities to provide a high level of customer support, to supervise permanent and temporary employees, to provide high volume and time-constrained analyses. Participation in research projects leading to methodology development, professional presentations, and publications is expected.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: A Ph.D. in Soil and Water Science/Analytical Chemistry/ or a closely-related field is required. The candidate must have the desire and commitment to support interdisciplinary, collaborative extension and research analytical support services.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The University of Florida is located in Gainesville, a city of 110,000 residents in north-central Florida. The university is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution with a student population of 49,000. A member of the prestigious American Association of Universities, UF conducts research, instruction, and extension/outreach programs on the main campus and throughout the state. The 111 Master’s and 70 Doctoral programs of the Graduate School rank UF as one of the nation’s most comprehensive major universities. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has diverse teaching, research, and extension education programs with faculty located on the Gainesville campus and across the state at Research and Education Centers, as well as courtesy faculty, and support staff. UF/IFAS is a federal, state, and local government partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences and to make that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of life. While extending into every community of the state, UF/IFAS has developed an international reputation for its accomplishments in teaching, research, and extension.

The Soil and Water Science Department (SWSD) has established itself as a leader in teaching, research, and extension/outreach programs in management and restoration of Florida’s land and water resources. The interdisciplinary nature of SWSD programs provides students and faculty the opportunity to conduct basic and applied research at multiple (molecular to landscape) scales to solve environmental problems and protect and manage land and water resources. Details about the SWSD can be found at http://soils.ifas.ufl.edu.

APPLICATION: Please submit 1) a letter of intent including a statement of interests, a description of how your expertise fits this interdisciplinary focus, and explanation of how your skill set meets the expectations of the position; 2) your curriculum vitae, and 3) three reference letters. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Please forward nominations, applications, and inquiries to:

Dr. Rao Mylavarapu, Search and Screen Committee Chair

Soil and Water Science Department

P O Box 110290, Univ. of Florida

Gainesville, FL 32611-0290

Phone: 352-392-1951, ext. 202

Fax: 352-392-3902

E-mail: raom@ufl.edu

REFER TO POSITION #_00014456