SPARC Careers
Postdoctoral position: Agronomy
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
University of Florida
Position Summary:
A postdoctoral position is available to conduct research on agronomic management of Brassica carinata cropping systems in the Florida panhandle. The research will include many aspects of agronomic production, including weed science, tillage, rotations, nutrient management and entomology. This is an applied, field- and farmer-based research program.
The research will be conducted at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center (WFREC) located north of Pensacola, Florida. The WFREC research unit consists of 640 acres and is located about 12 miles north of Milton near Jay, FL (Lat 30.776657°, Long -87.141633°), where research is conducted on cropping systems, weed science, entomology, golf and sports turf management, landscape and nursery management, forestry, and wildlife ecology. Graduate student housing facilities, suitable for temporary housing, are conveniently available on the research station, though the incumbent is expected to find housing locally.
Carinata is a non-food oilseed crop used to manufacture jet biofuel. USDA NIFA awarded $15 million to develop the crop as a renewable source of jet fuel in the Southeastern US. Limited acreage is already under production in the Southeast, but critical questions must be addressed to optimize production. This research will address agronomic management of carinata in the Southeast using a multidisciplinary approach to generate new production technologies and effectively incorporate them into commercial production. The research project includes but is not limited to successfully introducing carinata into existing crop rotations, optimize soil and weed management under different tillage systems, and develop production decision-making tools for growers. The research will be conducted at the UFL WFREC campus in Jay, FL. Dr. Mulvaney has a 60% Research and 40% Extension appointment, so participation in Extension programming is available and expected.
Responsibilities will include:
- Write, review, edit, and publish extension and peer-reviewed publications;
- Conduct field and laboratory research on carinata production relevant to farming systems in the region;
- Present research findings to scientific, farmer and lay audiences;
- Assistance and oversight of Ph.D. and M.S. research projects;
- Some financial management of large subawards; and
- Travel to other research units as needed.
Required Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Weed Science or a closely related field of study that has equipped the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position
- Excellent written and oral English skills
- Strong analytical and statistical skills
- Self-motivated, meticulous and highly organized
- Willingness to conduct field research away from the Gainesville campus
- Driver’s license, or the ability to obtain one
- A pesticide license within 60 days of hire
Preferred Qualifications:
- Agricultural field experience
- Familiarity with farming equipment
- Strong laboratory skills
- Excellent public speaking and presentation skills
- Grant management experience
Benefits:
- Remuneration at US$47,476+/yr
- Participation available in Health, Dental, Vision plans, as well as supplemental plan availability
- Additional benefits information is available at the UF benefits website
How to apply:
Contact Dr. Michael J. Mulvaney at m.mulvaney@ufl.edu for more information. For consideration, the following documents must be sent to Dr. Mulvaney as a single application package. Incomplete application packages will not be considered.
- CV
- Cover letter explaining your career interests and qualifications
- GRE scores and year taken
- TOEFL scores, if English is not the native language
- Official or unofficial academic transcripts (official transcripts required upon hire)
- Three letters of reference
Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is appointed. It is anticipated that the incumbent will begin during the Fall 2018 semester, although earlier employment will also be considered.
Final candidate will be required to provide official transcripts 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 approval by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at naces.org.
Ph.D. Graduate Research Assistantship: Agronomy
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
University of Florida
Position Summary:
A Ph.D. level Graduate Research Assistantship is available to conduct research on agronomic management of Brassica carinata cropping systems in the Florida panhandle. The research may include rotational effects of carinata into existing cotton and peanut rotations, tillage effects on carinata production, and nutrient management and uptake.
The research will be conducted at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center (WFREC) located north of Pensacola, Florida. The WFREC research unit consists of 640 acres and is located about 12 miles north of Milton near Jay, FL (Lat 30.776657°, Long -87.141633°), where research is conducted on cropping systems, weed science, golf and sports turf management, landscape and nursery management, forestry, and wildlife ecology. Graduate student housing facilities, suitable for temporary housing, are conveniently available on the research station, though the student is expected to find housing locally. Most coursework is available online or through an additional concentration program, such as the Ph.D. Agroecology Concentration.
Carinata is a non-food oilseed crop used to manufacture jet biofuel. USDA NIFA awarded $15 million to develop the crop as a renewable source of jet fuel in the Southeastern US. Limited acreage is already under production in the Southeast, but critical questions must be addressed to optimize production. This research will address agronomic management of carinata in the Southeast. The research will be conducted at the UFL WFREC campus in Jay, FL. Dr. Mulvaney has a 60% Research and 40% Extension appointment, so participation in Extension programming is available and expected.
Responsibilities will include:
- Conducting field and laboratory research to integrate and optimize carinata production in relevant farming systems in the region;
- Prepare peer-reviewed and extension publications;
- Travel to other research units as needed; and
- Writing, reviewing, and editing extension and peer-reviewed publications.
Required Qualifications:
- M.S. in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Weed Science or a closely related field of study that has equipped the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position
- Excellent written and oral English skills
- Ability to meet the entrance requirements of the University of Florida Graduate School and the Department of Agronomy
- Self-motivated, meticulous and highly organized
- Willingness to conduct field research away from the Gainesville campus
Preferred Qualifications:
- Agricultural field experience
- Strong analytical and statistical skills
- Strong laboratory skills
Benefits:
- Tuition
- 12-month stipend at US$20,078+/yr
- Health insurance
- Additional benefits information is available at hr.ufl.edu/benefits-rewards/my-benefits/explore/eligibility/ga/
How to apply:
Contact Dr. Michael J. Mulvaney at m.mulvaney@ufl.edu for more information. For consideration, the following documents must be sent to Dr. Mulvaney as a single application package. Incomplete application packages will not be considered.
- CV
- Cover letter explaining your career interests and qualifications
- GRE scores and year taken
- TOEFL scores, if English is not the native language
- Official or unofficial academic transcripts (official transcripts required upon hire)
- Three letters of reference
Department and university requirements are available online. The formal application will proceed online and will require the following materials:
- One page statement of purpose
- GRE scores within the previous five years
- TOEFL scores within the previous two years, if applicable
- Transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation
- Departmental requirement: UF application submitted to the UF Office of Admissions
Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is appointed. It is anticipated that the incumbent will begin during the Fall 2018 semester, although earlier employment will also be considered.
M.S. Graduate Research Assistantship: Weed Science
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
University of Florida
Position Summary:
A M.S. level Graduate Research Assistantship is available to conduct research on weed management within Brassica carinata cropping systems and rotations with cotton and peanut in the Florida panhandle. The research will be conducted at the UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center (WFREC) located north of Pensacola, Florida.
The WFREC research unit consists of 640 acres and is located about 12 miles north of Milton near Jay, FL (Lat 30.776657°, Long -87.141633°), where research is conducted on cropping systems, weed science, golf and sports turf management, landscape and nursery management, forestry, and wildlife ecology. Graduate student housing facilities, suitable for temporary housing, are conveniently available on the research station, though the student is expected to find housing locally. Most coursework is available online or through an additional concentration program, such as the M.S. Agroecology Concentration.
Carinata is a non-food oilseed crop used to manufacture jet biofuel. USDA NIFA awarded $15 million to develop the crop as a renewable source of jet fuel in the Southeastern US. Limited acreage is already under production in the Southeast, but critical questions must be addressed to optimize production. This research will address agronomic and ecological aspects of weed management of carinata within existing peanut and cotton rotations common in the Southeast emphasizing weed population dynamics. The incumbent will be mentored by Dr. Michael J. Mulvaney (University of Florida) and Dr. Ramon Leon (North Carolina State University). The research will be conducted at the UFL WFREC campus. Dr. Mulvaney has a 60% Research and 40% Extension appointment, so opportunities to participate in extension programming will be available.
Responsibilities will include:
- Conducting field and laboratory research to integrate and optimize carinata production in relevant farming systems in the region;
- Prepare peer-reviewed and extension publications;
- Travel to other research units as needed; and
- Writing, reviewing, and editing extension and peer-reviewed publications.
Required Qualifications:
- B.Sc. in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science or a closely related field of study that has equipped the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position
- Excellent written and oral English skills
- Ability to meet the entrance requirements of the University of Florida Graduate School and the Department of Agronomy
- Self-motivated, meticulous and highly organized
- Willingness to conduct field research away from the Gainesville campus
Preferred Qualifications:
- Agricultural field experience
- Strong analytical and statistical skills
- Strong laboratory skills
Benefits:
- Tuition
- 12-month stipend at US$20,078+/yr
- Health insurance
- Additional benefits information is available at hr.ufl.edu/benefits-rewards/my-benefits/explore/eligibility/ga/
How to apply:
Contact Dr. Michael J. Mulvaney at m.mulvaney@ufl.edu for more information. For consideration, the following documents must be sent to Dr. Mulvaney as a single application package. Incomplete application packages will not be considered.
- CV
- Cover letter explaining your career interests and qualifications
- GRE scores and year taken
- TOEFL scores, if English is not the native language
- Official or unofficial academic transcripts (official transcripts required upon hire)
- Three letters of reference
Department and university requirements are available online. The formal application will proceed online and will require the following materials:
- One page statement of purpose
- GRE scores within the previous five years
- TOEFL scores within the previous two years, if applicable
- Transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation
- Departmental requirement: UF application submitted to the UF Office of Admissions
Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is appointed. It is anticipated that the incumbent will begin during the Fall 2018 semester, although earlier employment will also be considered.
