The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. 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 .
Background Information:
The mission of the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department is to develop professionals, create and disseminate knowledge, and promote the application of engineering, science, and management principles to meet societal needs with respect to agricultural, biological and land and water resource systems. With more than 100 years since its founding, ABE is one of the top ranked departments in the nation (ranked third in graduate and seventh in undergraduate agricultural and biological engineering programs by US News & World Report in 2024).
The Department has 44 faculty positions, 37 at the University location in Gainesville and 7 at UF/IFAS Research and Education Centers around the state. The annual operating budget of the Department is between $5.5 and $7.0 million; sponsored research program expenditures average an additional $6 million annually. The Department offers the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering (ABET accredited), Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Operations Management (ASABE approved), Master of Engineering, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Undergraduate enrollment (primarily upper division) includes approximately 90 in Biological Engineering, and 90 in Agricultural Operations Management. The graduate program includes an additional 80 students. The Department has strong research and extension programs that are well recognized at state, national and international levels.
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.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) Department Chair:
• Provides support and coordination of faculty and staff visioning, planning, developing and implementing the Department’s programs in teaching, research, and extension in accord with the Land-Grant mission.
• Provides leadership in recruiting and fostering academic growth and professional development of faculty, staff, and students.
• Administers the Department’s human and financial resources.
• Promotes external funding opportunities.
• Provides leadership and administration of teaching, research, and extension programs in the Department as well as coordination of ABE programs at the UF/IFAS Research and Education Centers throughout the state.
• Provides administration and development of the Agricultural and Biological Engineering academic program through the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering and the Agricultural Operations Management program through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
• Administers state, national, and international programs of the Department.
• Fosters the Department’s strong culture of shared governance and collegiality as outlined in the ABE Shared Governance Principles document.
• Evaluates faculty and staff performance.
• Encourages the proactive development of strategic programs.
• Represents the Department and faculty interests with administrators, other departments and units, and outside agencies, individuals and groups in agriculture, natural resources, industry, and communities.
• Works closely with the Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Deans, Associate and Assistant Deans, and collaborates with other IFAS Chairs and Research and Education Center Directors, and other administrators, including those in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, in providing leadership for delivering integrated programs to meet the needs of students, citizens of the state of Florida, Extension clientele, research sponsors, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinates and consults with an Advisory Board of stakeholders to guide the development of the Department’s research, teaching and extension programs.
Qualifications Required:
• An earned Doctorate (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Agricultural and Biological Engineering or related engineering discipline;
• A record of outstanding scholarly achievement and professional activities in teaching, research, extension, and/or private or public organizations that will qualify the individual to be a tenured full professor in the Department by the date of appointment;
• Ability to direct a varied academic unit engaged in teaching, research, and extension activities at a major Land-Grant university with faculty located throughout the state;
• Ability to direct interdisciplinary, grant-funded programs;
• Effective administrative and managerial skills;
• Ability to secure private funds through developmental activities;
• Demonstrated ability to interact collegially and effectively with students, faculty, staff, university administrators, and external stakeholders at the state, federal, and international levels;
• Commitment to shared governance, collegiality, mentorship, and continual professional development for self, faculty, staff, and students;
• Commitment to international programs and industry partnerships;
• Strong support for and understanding of the mission of a Land-Grant university;
• Commitment to UF core values.
