Research Assistant Scientist - Crop Transformation Center (CTC)

Res Ast Sctst

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 (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station), 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 unit.

The faculty member will work closely with the Crop Transformation Center (CTC) Director to build a community of practice for crop transformation at UF, engaging the external advisory board, faculty, students, and staff. Responsibilities will focus on the socio-technical foundations of crop improvement and biotechnology and the development of effective public-private partnerships to advance the CTC mission. The faculty member will help define strategies for biotechnology pipeline development, secure funding, prepare calls for proposals, manage resulting projects, and develop stakeholder communications. They will also co-develop and implement a strategic business model for the CTC, overseeing technical, financial, legal, and administrative activities with staff support. Additional responsibilities include leveraging partnerships with national and international organizations to enhance CTC research capacity, pursuing funding from public and private sources, managing intellectual property, ensuring compliance, and overseeing monitoring and evaluation activities to document outputs and impacts.

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.