Available Positions
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Professor and Department Chair – Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida
Background Information:
The Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) Department Chair:
- Provides support and coordination of faculty and staff visioning, planning, developing and implementing the Department’s programs in teaching, research, and extension in accord with the Land-Grant mission.
- Provides leadership in recruiting and fostering academic growth and professional development of faculty, staff, and students.
- Administers the Department’s human and financial resources.
- Promotes external funding opportunities.
- Provides leadership and administration of teaching, research, and extension programs in the Department as well as coordination of ABE programs at the UF/IFAS Research and Education Centers throughout the state.
- Provides administration and development of the Agricultural and Biological Engineering academic program through the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering and the Agricultural Operations Management program through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
- Administers state, national, and international programs of the Department.
- Fosters the Department’s strong culture of shared governance and collegiality as outlined in the ABE Shared Governance Principles document.
- Evaluates faculty and staff performance.
- Encourages the proactive development of strategic programs.
- Represents the Department and faculty interests with administrators, other departments and units, and outside agencies, individuals and groups in agriculture, natural resources, industry, and communities.
- Works closely with the Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Deans, Associate and Assistant Deans, and collaborates with other IFAS Chairs and Research and Education Center Directors, and other administrators, including those in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, in providing leadership for delivering integrated programs to meet the needs of students, citizens of the state of Florida, Extension clientele, research sponsors, and other stakeholders.
- Coordinates and consults with an Advisory Board of stakeholders to guide the development of the Department’s research, teaching and extension programs.
Minimum Qualifications:
- An earned Doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Agricultural and Biological Engineering or related engineering discipline;
- A record of outstanding scholarly achievement and professional activities in teaching, research, extension, and/or private or public organizations that will qualify the individual to be a tenured full professor in the Department by the date of appointment;
- Ability to direct a varied academic unit engaged in teaching, research, and extension activities at a major Land-Grant university with faculty located throughout the state;
- Ability to direct interdisciplinary, grant-funded programs;
- Effective administrative and managerial skills;
- Ability to secure private funds through developmental activities;
- Demonstrated ability to interact collegially and effectively with students, faculty, staff, university administrators, and external stakeholders at the state, federal, and international levels;
- Commitment to shared governance, collegiality, mentorship, and continual professional development for self, faculty, staff, and students;
- Commitment to international programs and industry partnerships;
- Strong support for and understanding of the mission of a Land-Grant university;
- Commitment to UF core values.
For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by March 24, 2025. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.
How to Apply: Interested applicants, please review and submit application materials on the Careers at UF listing:
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Paid Internship - Watermelon Operation, Packinghouse - Leger & Son
Background Information:
This will be a paid internship, and there will be opportunity at the Zolfo Springs, FL location for the timeframe of May-June and the Cordele/Ashburn, GA location for the timeframe of June-mid July.
How to Apply: Anyone with interest or questions, please feel free to contact bailey@legerandson.com and visit the Leger & Son web page for more information.
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Assistant Professor of Agricultural Water Management – Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida
Background Information:
This is a 9-month tenure-accruing position that will be 60% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station) and 40% extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service), available at the Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) within the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Tenure will accrue in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
The incumbent is expected to develop a program with a major focus on water resources and water quality in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) and adjacent areas in south Florida. The EAA and adjacent areas have organic, sandy, and transitional soils and comprise one of the nation’s largest suppliers of winter vegetables, while also boasting the largest sugarcane and sweet corn production in the country and significant rice acreage. The incumbent will develop a nationally recognized extramurally funded research and extension program focused on efficient irrigation and drainage systems balancing water resources, water quality and agricultural production with local and global applications in the context of complex hydrological systems and climate change. The candidate is expected to provide research and outreach leadership to 1) further hydrologic knowledge of agricultural systems such as irrigation, subsurface drainage and water table management using the latest technologies, innovations, artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning modeling and data science applications; 2) develop, test, and evaluate soil and water management practices that provide erosion and sediment control, and 3) reduce and mitigate the impact of agricultural water management decisions and other production practices on phosphorus nutrient transport as part of an established comprehensive Best Management Practices (BMP) program in the EAA.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A doctorate degree (foreign equivalent acceptable) in agricultural engineering, biological engineering, water resources, soil, water and ecosystem sciences, environmental engineering, or a closely related discipline at the time of hire 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.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in applied agricultural water management research and outreach.
- Knowledge in watershed hydrology, soil science, GIS, and hydrological and/or nutrient/contaminant fate and transport modeling.
- Knowledge in water management strategies and practices during periods of extreme weather events such as drought and floods.
- Data science expertise/skills.
- Expertise in AI machine learning modeling.
Salary:
Commensurate with education and experience
For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by February 11, 2025. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.
How to Apply: Interested applicants, please review and submit application materials on the Careers at UF listing:
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Biological Scientist I – Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida
Background Information:
This individual will manage the Precision Water Management laboratory, in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department under the guidance of Dr. Vivek Sharma. Their overall responsibility is to maintain proper function and organization of the laboratory, including, but not limited to, the following duties: Laboratory and Field Administration, Research Support, Technical Writing and Regulatory Compliance, and Training of Lab Personnel.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in biology or a closely related life science field.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree in agricultural engineering, soil water engineering, agronomy, soil science, or a closely related field.
Salary:
Commensurate with education and experience.
How to Apply: Interested applicants, please review and submit application materials on the Careers at UF listing:
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Postdoctoral Researcher in Advanced Modeling and Simulation in Reusable Transport Packaging and Circular Economy - Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida
Background Information:
The postdoctoral researcher will engage in advanced research focused on evaluating reverse logistics for reusable packaging to meet EU circularity requirements for U.S. specialty crop exports as part of the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) Program. The successful candidate will lead and conduct independent research on mathematical modeling and simulation, perform data analysis, and contribute to the development of decision-support tools and manuscripts for publication. The role involves close collaboration with the Principal Investigator (PI), project partners the International Fresh Produce Association and Reusable Packaging Association, and other research team members at the University of Florida.
This is a full-time, grant-funded, 24-month position with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. The salary is competitive and includes a benefits package.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Operations Research, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related discipline.
- Strong background in AI, machine learning, network design, and systems modeling.
- Experience with mathematical modeling, simulation, and optimization in supply chain logistics.
- Familiarity with the digital twin technologies
- Demonstrated experience in publishing scientific papers.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Proficiency in software tools such as Python, R, MATLAB, or similar for AI and simulation tasks.
- Experience in sustainable packaging, reverse logistics, or developing digital decision-support tools.
- Experience in sustainability assessments, e.g., life-cycle assessment (LCA), techno-economic analysis (TEA)
- Previous experience in mentoring
- Familiarity with the European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan and packaging regulations.
How to Apply: The review of applications will begin in September 2024 and continue until the position is filled. Please apply via https://go.ufl.edu/jobboz
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Post-doctoral Associate Position – Hydrologic and Nutrient Transport Modeling, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida
Background Information:
Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) Department and Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida (UF), seeks a post-doctoral associate for hydrologic and nutrient transport modeling in vadose zone. The post-doc will develop and use hydrologic model(s) and contribute to developing a decision support system (DSS) for multi-disciplinary projects on developing and evaluating water and nutrient best management practices (BMPs) under different groundwater environments. The post-doc will help collect and use the soil, water, and plant data from multiple sites to develop models for predicting subsurface water and nutrient transport in well-drained and poorly-drained soils in agricultural fields. The project takes a systems approach and involves conducting experiments on high-value fresh market crops under different nutrient inputs, irrigation and drainage, hydrologic, and weather conditions. The post-doc will work with a team of post-docs, students, and faculty to integrate water and nutrient loss predictions with plant, soil, water, and economic data to develop a DSS for nutrient and water management. The project team includes faculty drawn from engineering, hydrology, statistics, economics, plant, soil, and ecosystem sciences. Responsibilities include analyzing irrigation, soil, plant, hydrologic, topographic, and weather data, developing hydrologic model(s), integrating model predictions with field data, preparing reports, manuscripts, and proposals, and presenting at conferences and stakeholder meetings.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in agricultural/biological/civil/environmental engineering or related physical sciences
- Strong background in hydrologic modeling and nutrient transport processes
Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior experience with subsurface hydrologic models (e.g. HYDRUS)
- Background in irrigation management and machine learning models is a plus
Salary:
$50,000 - $65,000/yr, commensurate with education and experience
The position is available immediately with initial appointment for one year and is likely to be renewable depending on funding and performance. Screening of candidates will begin August 15, 2024.
How to Apply: Interested applicants, please send a resume and the names of three references to Dr Sanjay Shukla, Professor, Water Resources, Agricultural and Biological Engineering (sshukla@ufl.edu).
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Post-doctoral Research Associate - Precision Water Management, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, University of Florida
Background Information:
We are seeking TWO highly motivated individuals to assist with ongoing research in the Precision Water Management Lab in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department. The candidates will work on the integrating irrigation and nutrient management BMPs with remote sensing, decision support tools, and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) algorithms to interlink water quantity and quality dynamics and crop productivity relationships and their impact on economic and risk management aspects on local to regional scales. The successful candidates should have relevant experience in precision water management and agro-hydrological modeling. The candidates will also supervise technical support staff, graduate students, and/or student workers, as assigned; prepare and write supplementary proposals to funding agencies; maintain financial records related to research projects. The successful candidates should be self-motivated, creative, and has the desire to collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment. The candidates will be expected to publish in peer-reviewed journals and conference publications. Both positions will be funded for three years and will be renewed annually with an extension contingent on performance.
Qualifications:
- Appropriate Degree (Ph.D.) degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Precision Water Management, Soil and Water Science, Remote Sensing, Hydrology, or any other related,
- Knowledge and experience in applied agricultural water management research and outreach,
- Knowledge in watershed hydrology, soil science, GIS, and hydrological and/or chemical/nutrient fate and transport modeling,
- Experience and willingness to work in various field conditions,
- Excellent Data science expertise/ Programming skills – Python, R, or similar language,
- Record of previous scientific communications (journal articles or/and conference publications).
The positions are open for immediate hiring if qualified candidate found and will remain open till candidate hired.
How to Apply: Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Vivek Sharma (vsharma1@ufl.edu) directly with a copy of your CV, research statement, unofficial transcript, list of publications, and contact information of three references.
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Graduate Research Assistantship (Ph.D. Level) - Precision Water Management Lab
Background Information:
Applications are solicited for a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) position (Ph.D. level) in the Precision Water Management lab in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department at the University of Florida Starting in Summer/Fall 2024 under the supervision of Dr. Vivek Sharma. The candidate will work on the NRCS CIG on-farm funded project on Accelerating the Variable Rate Irrigation Technology. The project will include integrating VRI technology with in-field data, remote sensing and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) algorithms to interlink water quantity and quality dynamics and crop productivity relationships and their impact on economic and risk management aspects on local to regional scales. The successful candidate should have relevant experience in precision water management, machine/deep learning. In addition, candidate possess strong programming skills. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, creative, and has a desire to collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment. The candidate will be expected to publish in peer-reviewed journals and conference publications. The GRA will cover stipends, tuition, and fee.
Required Qualifications:
(i) Appropriate M.S. degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Precision Water Management, Soil and Water Science, Agronomy, Remote Sensing, Hydrology, or any other related field with a GPA of 3.0 or higher; (ii) English writing and communication skills; (iii) Non-English credentials: TOEFL score of 79 iBT or IELTS score of 6.5 or higher.
Preferred Qualifications: (i) Knowledge and experience in applied agricultural water management research and outreach; (ii) knowledge in watershed hydrology, soil science, GIS, and hydrological and/or chemical/nutrient fate and transport modeling; (iii) Experience and willingness to work in various field conditions; (iv) Excellent Data science expertise/ Programming skills – Python, R, or similar language; (v) Record of previous scientific communications (journal articles or/and conference publications).
How to Apply: Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Vivek Sharma (vsharma1@ufl.edu) directly with a copy of your CV, research statement, unofficial transcript, list of publications, and contact information of three references. More information about applying for a graduate degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering can be found at https://abe.ufl.edu/graduate/admissions/.
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Postdoctoral Research Associate - Precision Water Management Lab
Background Information:
The Precision Water Lab in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department have TWO open Post-Doctoral Research Associate Positions starting in Summer 2024. The candidate will work in a team environment comprising researchers, graduate students, extension agents, and growers to accelerate the adoption of precision irrigation and nutrient management technologies. The project will include integrating VRI technology with in-field data, remote sensing and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) algorithms to interlink water quantity and quality dynamics and crop productivity relationships and their impact on economic and risk management aspects on local to regional scales. The successful candidate should have relevant experience in precision water management, machine/deep learning. The successful candidate should be self-motivated, creative, and has the desire to collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment. The candidate will be expected to publish in peer-reviewed journals and conference publications. A review of applications will begin immediately until the position is filled.
Qualifications:
(i) Appropriate Degree (Ph.D.) degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Precision Water Management, Soil and Water Science, Agronomy, Remote Sensing, Hydrology, or any other related field with a GPA of 3.0 or higher; (ii) Knowledge and experience in applied agricultural water management research and outreach; (iii) knowledge in watershed hydrology, soil science, GIS, and hydrological and/or chemical/nutrient fate and transport modeling; (iv) Experience and willingness to work in various field conditions; (v) Excellent Data science expertise/ Programming skills – Python, R, or similar language; (vi) Record of previous scientific communications (journal articles or/and conference publications).
The positions are open for immediate hiring if qualified candidate found and will remain open till candidate hired.
How to Apply: Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Vivek Sharma (vsharma1@ufl.edu) directly with a copy of your CV, research statement, unofficial transcript, list of publications, and contact information of three references. More information about applying for a graduate degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering can be found at https://abe.ufl.edu/graduate/admissions/.
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Post Doctoral Research Associate: Hydrologic and Nutrient Transport Modeling in Vadose Zone (SWFREC)
Background Information:
Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) Department and Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida (UF), seeks a post-doctoral associate for hydrologic and nutrient transport modeling in vadose zone. The post-doc will develop and use hydrologic model(s) and contribute to developing a decision support system (DSS) for multi-disciplinary projects on developing and evaluating water and nutrient best management practices (BMPs) under different groundwater environments.
The post-doc will help collect and use the soil, water, and plant data from multiple sites to develop models for predicting subsurface water and nutrient transport in well-drained and poorly-drained soils in agricultural fields. The project takes a systems approach and involves conducting experiments on high-value fresh market crops under different nutrient inputs, irrigation and drainage, hydrologic, and weather conditions.
The post-doc will work with a team of post-docs, graduate students, and faculty to integrate water and nutrient loss predictions with plant, soil, water, and economic data to develop a DSS for nutrient and water management. The project team includes faculty drawn from engineering, hydrology, statistics, economics, plant, soil, and ecosystem sciences.
Qualifications:
Applicants must have Ph.D. in agricultural/biological/civil/environmental engineering, soil and water sciences, or related physical sciences. Applicants are expected to have strong background in vadose zone models (e.g. HYDRUS) and nutrient transport processes. Background in irrigation management for agricultural systems and machine learning models is a plus.
Employment:
The position is available immediately with initial appointment for one year and is likely to be renewable depending on funding and performance. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience and is likely to range from $50,000- $62,000/year.
How To Apply:
Send a resume and the names of three references to Dr Sanjay Shukla, Professor, Water Resources, Agricultural and Biological Engineering ( sshukla@ufl.edu ) and Ms Becky Decker ( rdecker54@ufl.edu ). The screening of candidates will begin July 24th, 2023.
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Post Doctoral Research Associate: Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR)
Background Information:
The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Florida invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position as part of the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) project titled “Integrated Food Waste Measurement and Predictions Supported by Agent-Based Models (IFWASTE)”
The successful candidate will be at the forefront of applying advanced modeling and simulation tools, with a particular focus on agent-based modeling, to the assessment of food loss and waste at the household level. This project is aimed at building and refining advanced simulations to assess the multifaceted complexities of food loss and waste systems. The hired postdoctoral researcher will work in an interdisciplinary team of engineers, social scientists, implementation partners such as City of Gainesville, Alachua County, and Sarasota Extension office and help coordinate the project efforts.
Qualifications:
PhD in Systems Science, Computer Science, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Environmental Science and Engineering, Economics, or a closely related field; Expertise in agent-based modeling and advanced simulation tools; Experience in analyzing complex systems, with a preference for research related to food loss and waste; Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or R; Interest and expertise in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science is a plus; Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to publish research findings; Ability to work in a collaborative research environment and coordinate the project teams and ensure the milestones are met
Employment:
This is a full-time, grant-funded, 18-month position with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. Salary is competitive and includes a benefits package.
How To Apply:
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter detailing their research interests and experience, a CV, and contact information for three references to ziynetboz@ufl.edu
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Graduate Research Assistantship (Ph.D. Level) - Agricultural Robotics and AI
Background Information:
The Bio-Sensing Automation and Intelligence Laboratory (B-SAIL) (www.uflbsail.net) in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the University of Florida is seeking highly motivated graduate students for Ph.D.-level research assistantships (RA) in agricultural sensing, automation, and AI. We are currently accepting applications for these positions, which will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Qualifications:
Successful candidates should have relevant experiences and interests in one or more of the following areas: computer vision, mechatronics, robotics, electronics, sensing, and machine learning/deep learning. Additionally, candidates should possess strong programming skills in one or more of the following languages: Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, C/C++, Java, and IDL. A proven ability to publish research in peer-reviewed journals and a willingness to learn new technologies is also desirable.
How to Apply: Interested applicants should send their curriculum vitae, a list of three references, and transcripts to Dr. Changying “Charlie” Li at cli2@ufl.edu.
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Post Doctoral Research Associate: AI in Land Cover Dynamics
Background Information:
The candidate is expected to provide leadership in remote sensing-based land cover dynamics using AI algorithms and high-performance computing in support of a NASA-funded project. Responsibilities include conducting and documenting research activities, writing refereed journal publications and research proposals.
Qualifications:
An earned doctorate in Electrical, Computer, Civil, Environmental, or Agricultural Engineering, or a closely related field. Candidate should be experienced in using remote sensing datasets, developing remote sensing algorithms and AI techniques. Applicants should have a good publication record, effective communication skills, and an ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students in the Center, the ABE Department and with other units on campus.
Employment:
This is a full-time, non-tenure-track faculty appointment. Initial appointment is for one year, with an opportunity for renewal. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications.
How To Apply:
To apply for this position, submit a letter of application describing your relevant experience, resume, transcripts, and the name and full contact information for three references to Prof. Jasmeet Judge via email jasmeet@ufl.edu