Assistant Professor Recruiting

Employer: University of Central Florida - Department of Biology

Location: Orlando, Florida

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience

Closing date: Nov 13, 2025

Discipline: Life Sciences, Biology, Botany/Plant Science

Job Type: Faculty

Organization Type: Academia

Job Details

Aquatic Ecologist R111825

The nine-month tenure track, Assistant Professor, Aquatic Ecologist position is anticipated to begin August 2026. All areas of aquatic ecology will be considered, including population, community, or ecosystem ecology in freshwater or marine environments. Successful candidates must have a demonstrated ability or strong potential to establish and maintain a vigorous, extramurally funded research program, facilitate collaborations, and complement departmental strengths. They will be expected to contribute to teaching and mentoring students in our undergraduate and graduate programs. The instructional duties and services assignments are in accordance with the department’s current equitable workload policy. A demonstrated ability to collaborate with other disciplines and the potential to strengthen research and course offerings in freshwater ecology is preferred.

Minimum Qualifications: A Ph.D. in biology or a related field from an accredited institution at the time of application.

Preferred Qualifications: The ideal candidate will show: (a) experience in freshwater systems, (b) postdoctoral training or relevant work experience, (c) potential to develop and maintain an extramurally funded research program including research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students, (d) research experience that complements department strengths, and (e) commitment to inclusive excellence in teaching, effective student mentoring, and strong academic support for our diverse student population.

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Michelle Gaither, Chair of the Search Committee at michelle.gaither@ucf.edu. Please include "R111825 Assistant Professor, Aquatic Ecologist" in the subject line.

Job Opening #2: The nine-month tenure track, Assistant Professor, Plant Physiology position is anticipated to begin Fall 2026. We seek a broadly trained, integrative botanist who will use innovative approaches to develop a high-quality research program in plant physiology. All disciplines of plant physiology will be considered, from molecular to ecological to evolutionary, in terrestrial or aquatic environments, focusing on any plant or algal taxa. Focal work on agricultural crops, while not preferred, will be considered if it demonstrates an explicit connection to fundamental biological processes. In particular, the ideal candidate will contribute courses to the Plant Science track within the biology major and expand undergraduate research opportunities in plant physiology. The instructional duties and services assignments are in accordance with the department’s current equitable workload policy.

Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must have a Ph.D. in life sciences from an accredited institution by the time of application.

Preferred Qualifications: The ideal candidate will: (a) show potential to develop and maintain a vigorous, extramurally funded research program including research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students; (b) show commitment to excellence in teaching, effective student mentoring, and strong academic support for our student population; (c) complement department strengths; (d) demonstrate an ability to collaborate with other disciplines; and (e) will have postdoctoral training or comparable work experience.

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Barbara Sharanowski, Chair of the Search Committee at Barb.Sharanowski@ucf.edu and must include “R111788 Assistant Professor, Plant Physiology” in the subject line.

The Department of Biology at UCF blends contemporary research and dynamic teaching from a broad-based curriculum. We have successfully trained thousands of undergraduate students for a range of biology careers, fostering a strong foundation in the life sciences and equipping them with critical thinking skills. Many classes engage High Impact Practices, offering students opportunities to receive hands-on experience in the field and pursue a graduate education through a master’s program in Biology and a Ph.D. program in Integrative and Conservation Biology. Our facilities include a genomics core laboratory, an on-campus transgenic greenhouse, walk-in growth chamber, research hoophouses, herbarium, research field plots, and 800 acres of natural lands and wetlands. Our faculty and research scientists are actively addressing environmental challenges through novel research—from coastal restoration to marine turtle conversation, boldly shaping a better future. For more information, please see https://sciences.ucf.edu/biology.