Description

This is a 12-month, non-tenure-accruing faculty position with a 100% teaching appointment in the Department of Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences (SWES), Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), at the University of Florida's main campus in Gainesville, Florida. Faculty assignments may be adjusted based on departmental and college priorities.

The successful candidate will contribute to the department's instructional mission by providing innovative, student-centered teaching and mentoring while advancing experiential learning and integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data science. This position will contribute to a cohort of teaching-centered faculty within the department. Ideal candidates will have experience in at least two of the three department focus areas (soil, water, and ecosystems); and a commitment to Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.

Teaching Responsibilities

The lecturer will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in face-to-face, hybrid, and/or distance education (DE) formats, depending on programmatic needs. Teaching assignments will be balanced with other responsibilities and may evolve to meet departmental priorities.

The successful candidate may revise and assume responsibility for teaching one or more existing courses depending on interests and expertise (examples of existing courses listed below).  New course development will focus on emerging needs and candidate’s interests. All aspects of environmental sciences focused on soil and water (e.g., chemistry, quality, remediation, management, watersheds, etc.) and ecosystem sciences (e.g., ecosystem restoration, services, management, etc.) are encouraged.

Existing courses for consideration:

• Soil, Water, and Land Use (SWS 4231C)
• Environmental Soil, Water, and Land Use (SWS 5234)
• Urban Soil and Water Systems (SWS 4204/SWS 6209)
• Professional development courses
  • Communicating in Academia, 3-credit hour 5000 level course taught in Spring semesters (DE and in-person formats)
  • Math for Environmental Professionals, 2-credit hour 5000 level course taught in Summer semesters (DE and in-person formats)

Student Mentoring and Program Support

Beyond formal teaching, this position will play a key role in mentoring students and supporting/facilitating educational initiatives within the department.

Responsibilities include:

• Mentoring and supervising undergraduate student research, creative works, internships, and independent study projects.
• Advising students in the non-thesis Master of Science program and, as appropriate, serving on M.S. and Ph.D. supervisory committees.
• Incorporating the SWES Experiential Learning Laboratory (ELL; located at the University of Florida Energy Research and Education Park) into course learning activities and student mentoring.
• Providing support, promoting, and helping develop the SWES Experiential Learning Laboratory (ELL) .
• Collaborating with SWES faculty, the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), and colleagues across the university to pursue internal and external funding opportunities that support undergraduate research and experiential learning.
• Participating in/complying with UF QUEST and other related CALS/UF curriculum requirements.
• Working with the departmental Honors Coordinator to facilitate and track undergraduate Honors Thesis research conducted within the department.
• Supporting student recruitment, retention, and academic success initiatives.

Service and Professional Development

The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the academic community through service and continued professional growth by:

• Participating in departmental, college, and university committees, particularly those related to teaching and student success.
• Engaging in professional development opportunities offered through the University of Florida, CALS, and other venues - especially those focused on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, teaching excellence, and instructional innovation.
• Pursuing and disseminating scholarship related to teaching and learning, as appropriate for the position.
• Contributing to curriculum assessment, revision, and enhancement efforts.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in teaching, student mentoring, educational innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Experience with experiential learning, artificial intelligence, data science, and evidence-based instructional practices is highly desirable and will contribute to advancing the department's educational mission.

Requirements

A doctorate or master’s degree (foreign equivalents acceptable) in the life sciences or a closely related discipline with a strong background in any aspect of soil sciences, ecosystem ecology, and/or water sciences is required (a doctorate is required for the use of the ‘Instructional Assistant/Associate Professor’ working title). 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.