Director and Research Associate/Full Scientist - Statistical and Data Analytics Consulting Unit

Classification Title:

Dir & Res Aso/Full Sctst

Classification Minimum Requirements:

Highest degree possible in field; Evidence of creative and successful research; Distinguished record of achievement beyond prior level.

Job Description:

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. 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 9-month non-tenure-accruing faculty position that will be 60% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station), 20% teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences), and 20% administration, available in the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. The assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the Institute. 

Duties will include directing the UF/IFAS Statistical and Data Analytics Consulting Unit (currently IFAS Statistical Consulting Unit), to guide research and develop and deliver trainings on data analysis using statistical and computational methods (including AI) for graduate students, postdoctoral associates, faculty, and staff IFAS-wide. The successful candidate with engage in and support scholarly activities across all UF/IFAS units, including development of creative works (e.g., Rand Python code), publications, and grant proposals that support all three Land Grant mission areas. Funding sources would reflect the programs of those colleagues, including major federal agencies (e.g., USDA, NSF, DOD, DOE, NIH), state agencies, foundations, NGOs, and industry. Teaching expectations include developing and delivering trainings on data analysis using statistical and computational methods (including Al) for graduate students, postdoctoral associates, faculty, and staff. Trainings should support all three Land Grant mission areas. The faculty member will participate actively in undergraduate education and graduate education by serving on graduate committees, supervising thesis and dissertation research, supervising undergraduate research, and publishing the results with students.

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.

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Required Qualifications:

A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in applied statistics, data science, or a closely related discipline is required. Experience with popular statistical software packages and knowledge of advanced statistical and computational meth