Assistant Professor, Integrative Plant Biology

The Opportunity

The Department of Biology in the College of Sciences (COS) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a 9-month, tenure track assistant professor, anticipated to begin Fall 2025 or Spring 2026. Teaching duties include one (1) course per semester (Fall/Spring) in accordance with the current departmental equitable workload policy with subjects to be determined based on expertise and departmental needs. We seek an integrative plant biologist whose research and teaching interests span botanical disciplines such as plant physiology, metabolism, genetics, ecology, conservation, evolution or related areas. 

We are especially interested in an individual who can contribute through their research, teaching, and service to the excellence of our academic community and foster an environment in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive.

The Department of Biology administers a bachelor’s degree in biology including a plant science track, a Ph.D. program in integrative and conservation biology and a M.S. program in biology. Existing resources for plant biology include the UCF Herbarium, a genomics core laboratory, a 1.1-hectare experimental field plot with electrical and water connections, a 557 m2 greenhouse with three climate-controlled bays that was renovated in July 2024, a microscope imaging facility, a field research building, the 80-acre UCF Arboretum, and 800+ acres of campus natural lands. Please see https://sciences.ucf.edu/biology for more information.

The UCF College of Sciences (COS) houses most of the university’s natural, computational, and social sciences in ten departments and schools, and several centers. Seven departments hold national rankings for best graduate programs. The college’s programs play a key role in advancing UCF as a national research university that is determined to help students from all backgrounds achieve success. For more information, visit https://sciences.ucf.edu.

UCF is one of the most innovative public universities in the nation, as named by the U.S. News & World Report. UCF is a leading, metropolitan, research-intensive university with over 68,000 students. As part of our comprehensive traditional benefits, UCF offers support for expectant mothers, paid parental leave for both parents, on-site pre-school, and professional development and leadership training for all faculty at all career stages. The university offers more than 240 degree programs. UCF is an economic engine, attracting and supporting industries vital to the region’s future while providing students with real-world experiences that help them succeed after graduation. For more information, visit http://www.ucf.edu.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Ph.D. in biology, plant biology, conservation biology, or closely related field, from an accredited institution at time of appointment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Potential to develop and maintain an extramurally funded research program including research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.

• Postdoctoral training or comparable work experience.

• Commitment to excellence in teaching, effective student mentoring, and strong academic support for our student population. In particular, the ideal candidate will contribute courses to the Plant Science track within the B.S. Biology major and expand undergraduate research and internship opportunities in plant science.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with other disciplines is desirable.

• The ability to teach in different modalities including face-to-face and online.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload a single PDF document that includes:

(1) A cover letter that explains the applicant’s research program and how it complements current departmental expertise

(2) A curriculum vitae

(3) A statement of research interests and plans (limit 2 pages)

(4) A teaching statement including potential courses the candidate could teach or develop (limit 2 pages)

(5) A list with contact information (phone and email) for three (3) professional references

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

Questions regarding this search should be directed to Dr. Graham Worthy, Chair of the Search Committee, at Graham.Worthy@ucf.edu and must include the job title in the subject line.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

N/A

Job Close Date:

01/16/2025

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program. 

• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.

• Retirement savings options. 

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions. 

• Education assistance.

• Flexible work environment. 

• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

Work Schedule

Type of Appointment

Expected Salary

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets.  Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. 

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.