Duties and Responsibilities

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is committed to creating an environment that affirms diversity across a variety of dimensions, including ability, class, ethnicity/race, gender identity and expression. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service.

This is a 9-month, tenure track position (60% research 40% teaching) in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department (ABE), Institute of Food and Sciences (IFAS). This position will work closely interfacing ABE with others in IFAS, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (HWCOE), and UF Artificial Intelligence thriving community.

The successful candidate is expected to establish an applied research program focused on the development, integration and use of biosensors and AI tools in agricultural and environmental (biological) applications to improve decisions and policies at the local, regional, and international level. The appointee is expected to develop biosensors to complement or replace existing analytical methodologies to measure biological, physical and chemical parameters in biological systems. Biosensor development is anticipated to consider big data and AI-based optimization of noisy/interacting readings, price, size, safety, and biodegradable qualities for different applications. Biosensor application examples in biological systems include precision agriculture, harmful algal blooms, water and soil pollutants, biological indicators, climate change, and food safety. Integration of biosensor networks and AI in rapid early warning systems related to these applications are also desired.

The teaching portion of this position will include development of a successful undergraduate and graduate education program which will introduce students to cutting-edge biosensor technology and techniques in the context agricultural and biological engineering and will include AI components. The 40% FTE commitment will typically be fulfilled by teaching one undergraduate and one graduate course per year as assigned by the department chair. In addition, the candidate will be expected to participate in co-teaching courses related to senior design and cross-cutting topics. Potential topics in the ABE curriculum might be an undergraduate-level course in Biosensors and a graduate-level course in Biosensors with AI, while other topics based upon candidate’s expertise and interests are welcome.

The successful candidate is expected to build a nationally and internationally recognized research program supported by a strong graduate research group and extramural funding from state and federal agencies. The candidate is expected to develop and promote his/her research activity and leadership in professional societies, supported by a sustained publication activity in top scientific journals. The candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with other faculty and research partners, creating synergy both inside and outside of the University of Florida academic community. 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 Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, UF Research Computing, UF Institutes (Informatics, Water, Florida Climate, Food Systems) and the new UF - NVDIA flagship collaboration in AI.  

The ABE department contributes to several department, college, and university efforts related to sensors, control systems, and AI through coursework, certificates, and interdisciplinary M.S. degrees. The successful candidate will participate, integrate, and provide leadership in these efforts to increase AI topic diversity with context-specific applications for biological systems, ensure that the curriculum is relevant and innovative, and expand biosensor curriculum options for undergraduate students.

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. Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system. Candidates must also have a commitment to IFAS core values of excellence, diversity, global involvement, accountability and a deep commitment to ethical dignity. The position is expected to provide appropriate levels of service to the department, college, university and/or discipline. Specific expectations are described in department, college and university policy statements regarding evaluation and promotion.