Assistant Professor - Biology Department

Assistant Professor 

The Department of Biology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) at the University of Florida (UF) invites applications for a nine-month, full-time (1.0 FTE), tenure-accruing Assistant Professor position in Plant Ecology, with an anticipated start date of August 16, 2027. The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain an internationally recognized, extramurally funded research program and contribute to undergraduate teaching through local field courses and other classes within the Botany major. The candidate will also be expected to provide graduate training and mentorship in their area of expertise and participate in service activities that support the missions of the Department, College, and University.

The successful candidate will join a large and diverse group of Biology faculty in CLAS and have access to the department’s newly completed greenhouse, along with HiPerGator, one of the largest university-based research computing clusters in the US, core facilities at the Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, and a diverse array of other resources and services. UF’s local network of field stations includes 31 natural areas on campus as well as UF’s Austin-Cary Forest, the Nature Coast Biological Station, the Ordway-Swisher Biological Station, and the Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to interact with faculty in other UF units including the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences, the College of Medicine, and the College of Engineering, many of whom are affiliated with the Tropical Conservation and Development Program in the Center for Latin American Studies, the Center for African Studies, UF’s Biodiversity Institute, Emerging Pathogens Institute, Genetics Institute, Informatics Research Institute, Water Institute, and the Organization for Tropical Studies, of which UF is a founding and permanent member. 

UF is the state’s oldest, largest, and most comprehensive land, sea, and space grant university with an enrollment of over 50,000 students. It is located in Gainesville, a city of approximately 150,000 residents in North-Central Florida that is within a short drive of the Atlantic and Gulf coast beaches, freshwater springs, and numerous state parks and recreation areas. The climate supports year-round outdoor activities. Alachua County schools are highly rated and offer a variety of programs including magnet schools and an International Baccalaureate program. Together UF and Gainesville host a cultural life and other amenities comparable to those of a much larger metropolitan area (see Visit Gainesville for weekly activities).

PhD in Biology, Botany, Ecology, or related field

The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, and the compensation includes a full benefits package.

Benefits: This faculty position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes state medical, dental, and vision plans; life and disability coverage; multiple retirement options; and paid time away and university holidays. Learn more about UF faculty benefits here: https://hr.ufl.edu/benefits/.

Applications must be submitted online. Click on Apply Now at the top of this posting.

A complete application includes:

1. Cover Letter summarizing the applicant's suitability for the position
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Two page statement describing the applicant’s research accomplishments and future plans
4. Two page statement describing the applicant’s teaching experience and future plans
5. Names and email addresses of three colleagues that can provide a letter of reference. Letter writers will be contacted for applicants that pass the initial screening process.

Review of complete applications will begin November 9, 2026, but the position will remain open until filled. Please contact the Chair of the search committee, Dr. Stuart McDaniel (stuartmcdaniel@ufl.edu) with any questions about the position.

All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a review of criminal records, reference checks, and verification of education.

The 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 educational institution outside of the United States require evaluation by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/.