Jobs at Member Institutions & APLU

Requisition # 525933

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by May 15, 2023.  The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is committed to creating an environment of inclusive excellence that affirms diversity across a variety of dimensions, including ability, class, ethnicity/race, gender identity and expression. Inclusive excellence is the active process of including and respecting everyone as we strive for excellence and equitable outcomes in all we do at the University of Florida. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. We strongly encourage candidates from historically underrepresented groups to apply.

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 .

Duties and Responsibilities

The Chair of the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department provides vision in planning, developing, and implementing departmental programs in teaching, research, and Extension; intellectual and philosophical leadership of faculty, staff, and students for synergistic academic, research, Extension, and outreach programs; leadership in recruiting and fostering academic growth and professional development of faculty, staff, and students; administration of the Department’s human and financial resources; leadership for continued acquisition of internal and external resources; and fostering cooperation and collaboration intra- and inter-institutionally.

The Chair administers state, national, and international programs of the Department, assigns responsibilities to faculty and staff, and evaluates their performance. The Chair represents departmental and faculty interests with administrators, other departments and units, outside agencies, state and federal agencies, partners and collaborators, and individuals and groups in industry. The Chair will collaborate with the Senior Vice President, Deans, Associate and Assistant Deans, other IFAS Chairs, Research and Education Center Directors, and other administrators in providing leadership for delivering integrated programs to meet the needs of students, Extension clientele, research sponsors, and other stakeholders.

Background Information

The Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) Department has 32 campus faculty, two off-campus faculty, four affiliate faculty, and 36 staff positions in teaching (College of Agricultural and Life Sciences), research (Florida Agricultural Experiment Station), and Extension (Florida Cooperative Extension Service and Florida Sea Grant Program) support. The Department supports county Extension faculty conducting educational programs addressing issues in food safety and human nutrition.  In addition to institutional funding, grants and contracts (averaging between $4-9M annually) provide strong support of FSHN programs.

The Department offers programs leading to B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees. FSHN academic programs include undergraduate and graduate curricula in Food Science, Dietetics, and Nutritional Sciences, with a total enrollment of approximately 75 graduate students and 500-600 undergraduate students. FSHN faculty members have received national and international recognition as leaders in food science, dietetics, and human nutrition teaching, research, and Extension.

The Department’s mission is to advance the food, nutritional sciences, and dietetics programs for the improvement of food quality and human health through excellence in research, education, and Extension.  Programs in food science encompass seafood and aquaculture products, citrus, fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, and dairy products.  Programs in nutrition include nutritional biochemistry, nutritional genomics, phytochemicals and dietary supplements, and immune function.  Programs in dietetics emphasize the applied science of nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, food systems management, and nutrition education to prepare students for careers as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). The Department is seen as a leader in nutritional genomics; nutritional regulation of human metabolism and health; the function and biochemistry of micronutrients; the effects of phytochemicals and nutrient supplements on health; healthy dietary patterns, food security, and health promotion,  and the safety, quality, and processing of aquatic food products, fruits and vegetables, and juices.  FSHN faculty members maintain very active professional interactions at UF, nationally and internationally.

The Chair must have

• An earned doctorate (or appropriate terminal degree; foreign equivalent acceptable) in food science, human nutrition, or a related discipline;
• A record of distinction, outstanding scholarly achievement, and professional activities related to teaching, research, and/or Extension that qualify the individual to be a tenured full professor in the Department;
• Evidence of administrative ability to direct an academic department engaged in teaching, research, and Extension activities at a major land-grant university;
• Evidence of ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary programs;
• Ability to provide visionary and progressive leadership;
• Demonstrable understanding of teaching, research, and Extension priorities for food science, human nutrition, and dietetics programs;
• Effective administrative leadership and managerial skills and documented experience in defining organizational objectives; developing strategic approaches to planning, managing human, fiscal, and physical resources; generating and managing grant funds in support of teaching, research, and Extension; and securing private funds;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively listen, communicate, and represent the Department with administrators, agencies, and on-and off-campus interest groups;
• Ability to work with External Advisory Boards and other external stakeholders to develop and integrate meaningful, contemporary and evolving strategic plans for the Department;
• Strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate student recruitment and retention;
• Demonstrated ability to interact well with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and external stakeholders within the university and at state, federal, and international levels;
• Appreciation for, or experience in the food industry in R&D or related areas, clinical and community dietetics, and other related professional areas;
• Commitment to continued personal professional development for self and faculty and staff;
• Commitment to international programs; and
• Strong support and understanding of the mission of a land-grant university.