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This is a 9-month tenure-accruing position that will be 70% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 30% extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), available at the Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie, FL, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida.  Tenure will accrue in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.

Duties will include development of a productive, interdisciplinary, extramurally funded research program in the field of invasive wildlife ecology with a focus on providing natural resource managers, private landowners, and other stakeholders with scientific information to contribute to development of effective data-driven control strategies for invasive wildlife that threaten ecosystem health and economic sustainability. In addition, this program will provide baseline data to determine impacts of invasive wildlife species on native fauna and ecosystems, agricultural production, and the built environment's infrastructure. This may include, but is not limited to, application of field-based approaches, statistical modeling, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and molecular techniques aimed to identify impacts and to improve detection, removal, and monitoring of invasive wildlife. As an interdisciplinary field, invasion ecology affords many opportunities for internal and external collaborations, and the candidate is encouraged to seek collaborations with established research programs at UF/IFAS, other academic institutions, and government agencies.

Extension responsibilities may include developing educational programs and toolkits on detecting, reporting, and controlling invasive wildlife species. The incumbent will provide proactive leadership, training, and assistance to UF and other stakeholders. Interaction with local, state, and federal agencies as well as Indian tribes will be important to this position. The faculty member will actively participate in graduate education by chairing graduate committees, serving on graduate committees, supervising thesis and dissertation research, and publishing the results with their graduate students. Faculty are encouraged to participate in professional development activities related to teaching and advising and may teach courses and seminars. The faculty member will actively seek extramural funding to support their program, publish in referred journals, and produce extension publications. The faculty member is expected to engage in extension activities in their program area.

Because of the IFAS land-grant mission, all faculty are expected to be supportive of and engaged in all three mission areas—Research, Teaching and Extension—regardless of the assignment split specified in the position description.

Background Information:

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.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Biological, Ecological, or Wildlife Sciences or a closely related discipline is required.  Candidates should have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, interpersonal relationships, and procurement of extramural funding.  Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system.  Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.  Candidates must have experience mentoring students and promoting a professional environment. They must have clear evidence of scholarship demonstrated through peer reviewed publications and an in-depth knowledge of management techniques for invasive wildlife. Candidates must have a record of successfully obtaining extramural funding.

• Demonstrated professional experience with research and management of invasive wildlife.
• Demonstrated experience obtaining extramural funding to support research and graduate students.
• Demonstrated experience with development of, or willingness to learn, an extension program concerning invasive wildlife.
• Demonstrated experience working with Federal, State, and local agencies, Tribes, nongovernmental organizations and industry on issues of invasive species management.

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by March 17, 2026.  The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

Employment Conditions

This position is available in August 2026 and will be filled as soon thereafter as an acceptable applicant is available.  Compensation is commensurate with the education, experience, and qualifications of the selected applicant.

Nominations

Nominations are welcome.  Nominations need to include the complete name and address of the nominee. This information should be sent to:

Please refer to Requisition # 538712

Dr. Nan-Yao Su

Chair, Search and Screen Committee

University of Florida

3205 College Avenue

Davie. FL 33314-7799

(954) 577-6339

nysu@ufl.edu

Application Information

• Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF and submit:
• Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above
• Curriculum vitae
• Statement related to research and extension goals
• Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 individuals willing to write letters of recommendation
• Unofficial transcripts

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 and greater Fort Lauderdale community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.