Assistant Professor in Precision Water Management

This is a 9-month, tenure track position, 40% extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service) and 60% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department (ABE), Institute of Food and Sciences (IFAS) at the University of Florida. This position will work closely with existing precision agriculture and water management faculty as well as faculty in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, and other departments in IFAS such as Horticultural Sciences and Agronomy. This position will address application and development of water management technologies, water-use efficiency and evaluation and use of alternative water supplies for irrigated agriculture. Research should ultimately consider long-term water resource and agricultural sustainability, considering the balance between environmental impacts and Best Management Practices (BMPs). The position will consider agricultural water management at a systems level that includes spatial and temporal analysis and evaluation of water demand and supply. Topics will likely include evaluation of precision irrigation for crop production, impacts on downstream resources and users, water quality and efficient resource utilization as well as alternative sources of water for irrigation.

The candidate should have a strong background in irrigation/drainage engineering, agricultural water management and mathematical modeling and a demonstrated interest in conducting research that will enhance Florida agriculture in the face of land use change and ongoing impacts to natural resources. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.

The candidate will also develop a scholarly extension program with measurable impacts on water conservation, irrigation, water quality and related issues as they become relevant. Various educational methods will be used to deliver these programs to county agents, growers, consultants agribusiness personnel and decision makers. The candidate will work with state and county faculty by providing information, educational materials, trainings and workshops to diverse stakeholders.

The faculty member in this position will be responsible for building an internationally recognized, extramurally funded program in precision water management that will address agricultural needs in Florida and locations globally such as managing irrigation at the sub-field scale to address environmental concerns while maintaining profitability. In addition, this faculty member will bring analysis techniques to a variety of precision data sources to understand and manage variability at the field and watershed scale.

The candidate will serve on graduate committees, supervise graduate research and publish research and extension results with students. The incumbent will actively seek contract and grant funding to support their program. 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.

The faculty member in this position will have the opportunity to collaborate with other faculty and research partners, creating synergy both inside and outside of the University of Florida. The candidate will be also expected to participate in all activities of departmental academic life such as research groups, mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students, and academic service activities; and work closely with other faculty in IFAS, the College of Engineering, the Emerging Pathogens Institute, the UF Water Institute, Florida Climate Institute and Institute for Sustainable Food Systems.