Research Assistant Scientist - Crop Transformation Center (CTC)
Research Assistant Scientist - Crop Transformation Center (CTC)
Job no: 541995
Work type: Non-Tenure-Track Faculty
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Biology/Life Science, Agricultural Sciences
Department:60230000 - AG-HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES
Classification Title:
Res Ast Sctst
Classification Minimum Requirements:
Highest degree possible in field; Evidence of pertinent experience for the position and qualities for the academic unit.
Job Description:
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. 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 12-month non-tenure-accruing position that will be 100% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station), available in the Horticultural Sciences Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.
The faculty member will work closely with the Crop Transformation Center (CTC) Director to build a community of practice for crop transformation at UF, engaging the external advisory board, faculty, students, and staff. Responsibilities will focus on the socio-technical foundations of crop improvement and biotechnology and the development of effective public-private partnerships to advance the CTC mission. The faculty member will help define strategies for biotechnology pipeline development, secure funding, prepare calls for proposals, manage resulting projects, and develop stakeholder communications. They will also co-develop and implement a strategic business model for the CTC, overseeing technical, financial, legal, and administrative activities with staff support. Additional responsibilities include leveraging partnerships with national and international organizations to enhance CTC research capacity, pursuing funding from public and private sources, managing intellectual property, ensuring compliance, and overseeing monitoring and evaluation activities to document outputs and impacts.
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.
The Horticultural Sciences Department is a unit within IFAS at the University of Florida and has a variety of teaching, research, and extension education programs with 34 faculty in Gainesville and 26 faculty at various Research and Education Centers throughout the state. The Horticultural Sciences Department is currently ranked top 9 in the center for world university rankings.
The Center for Crop Transformation, founded in 2023, addresses the need for rapid development and commercialization of genetically improved crops. The CTC is directed and led by Dr. Charlie Messina, a professor of predictive breeding specializing in symbiotic AI with over 16 years in the private sector. The center aims to accelerate genetic gain in specialty crops, ultimately improving human and environmental health. Their primary focus is creating citrus varieties that can tolerate or eventually resist citrus greening disease (HLB). The CTC harnesses core capabilities to activate an end-to-end approach to translate these novel ideas into products for Florida farmers and consumers.
Expected Salary:
Commensurate with Education and Experience
Required Qualifications:
A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Agricultural Sciences or close discipline is required. Candidates should have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, outstanding interpersonal relationships, procurement of extramural funding and management of large projects. Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system. Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.
Preferred:
A MSc in Applied Economics and/or Food and Agribusiness is desired.
Demonstrated project management and leadership experience including building collaborations among interdisciplinary scientific teams.
Grant writing and budgeting for scientific discovery.
Multi-lingual to operate in an international context.
Knowledge of financial operations for managing the CTC.
Knowledge of human resources operations for managing the CTC.
Supervision skills for communications and administrative staff.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.
Nominations
Nominations are welcome. Nominations need to include the complete name and address of the nominee. This information should be sent to:
Please refer to Requisition # 541995
Dr. Esteban Rios
Chair, Search and Screen Committee
University of Florida
Horticultural Sciences Department
PO Box 110690
Gainesville, Florida 32611
Telephone: (352) 392-1928
Facsimile: (352) 392-5653
Electronic Mail: estebanrios@ufl.edu
Application Information
Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered "official" if a designation of "Issued to Student" is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.
Health Assessment Required:No
Advertised: 12 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 26 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time
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Job no: 541995
Work type: Non-Tenure-Track Faculty
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Biology/Life Science, Agricultural Sciences
Department:60230000 - AG-HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES
Classification Title:
Res Ast Sctst
Classification Minimum Requirements:
Highest degree possible in field; Evidence of pertinent experience for the position and qualities for the academic unit.
Job Description:
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. 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 12-month non-tenure-accruing position that will be 100% research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station), available in the Horticultural Sciences Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Florida. This assignment may change in accordance with the needs of the unit.
The faculty member will work closely with the Crop Transformation Center (CTC) Director to build a community of practice for crop transformation at UF, engaging the external advisory board, faculty, students, and staff. Responsibilities will focus on the socio-technical foundations of crop improvement and biotechnology and the development of effective public-private partnerships to advance the CTC mission. The faculty member will help define strategies for biotechnology pipeline development, secure funding, prepare calls for proposals, manage resulting projects, and develop stakeholder communications. They will also co-develop and implement a strategic business model for the CTC, overseeing technical, financial, legal, and administrative activities with staff support. Additional responsibilities include leveraging partnerships with national and international organizations to enhance CTC research capacity, pursuing funding from public and private sources, managing intellectual property, ensuring compliance, and overseeing monitoring and evaluation activities to document outputs and impacts.
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.
The Horticultural Sciences Department is a unit within IFAS at the University of Florida and has a variety of teaching, research, and extension education programs with 34 faculty in Gainesville and 26 faculty at various Research and Education Centers throughout the state. The Horticultural Sciences Department is currently ranked top 9 in the center for world university rankings.
The Center for Crop Transformation, founded in 2023, addresses the need for rapid development and commercialization of genetically improved crops. The CTC is directed and led by Dr. Charlie Messina, a professor of predictive breeding specializing in symbiotic AI with over 16 years in the private sector. The center aims to accelerate genetic gain in specialty crops, ultimately improving human and environmental health. Their primary focus is creating citrus varieties that can tolerate or eventually resist citrus greening disease (HLB). The CTC harnesses core capabilities to activate an end-to-end approach to translate these novel ideas into products for Florida farmers and consumers.
Expected Salary:
Commensurate with Education and Experience
Required Qualifications:
A doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Agricultural Sciences or close discipline is required. Candidates should have demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication, outstanding interpersonal relationships, procurement of extramural funding and management of large projects. Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant system. Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.
Preferred:
A MSc in Applied Economics and/or Food and Agribusiness is desired.
Demonstrated project management and leadership experience including building collaborations among interdisciplinary scientific teams.
Grant writing and budgeting for scientific discovery.
Multi-lingual to operate in an international context.
Knowledge of financial operations for managing the CTC.
Knowledge of human resources operations for managing the CTC.
Supervision skills for communications and administrative staff.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.
Nominations
Nominations are welcome. Nominations need to include the complete name and address of the nominee. This information should be sent to:
Please refer to Requisition # 541995
Dr. Esteban Rios
Chair, Search and Screen Committee
University of Florida
Horticultural Sciences Department
PO Box 110690
Gainesville, Florida 32611
Telephone: (352) 392-1928
Facsimile: (352) 392-5653
Electronic Mail: estebanrios@ufl.edu
Application Information
- Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF by 11:55 PM (Eastern) of the closing date and submit:
- Cover letter that states applicant's interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above
- Curriculum vitae
- Contact information (including email addresses) for three individuals willing to write letters of recommendation
- Unofficial transcripts
Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered "official" if a designation of "Issued to Student" is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.
Health Assessment Required:No
Advertised: 12 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 26 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time
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