Opportunities

Internships, Fellowships, Graduate, and Post-doctoral Positions

The VectorED Network is looking for summer 2026 interns at the University of Tennessee, University of Pittsburgh, University of Delaware, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Penn State, and the Ohio State University. Please learn more about this opportunity here.

Summer Internship

DESCRIPTION: The Director provides leadership and assistance to the faculty and staff at the center in developing and implementing research, extension, and academic programs and seeks Federal, State, and/or private funds to supplement the budget provided by the Florida Legislature. Other administrative responsibilities include the preparation of budgets, allocation of operating funds to all sections of the Center, evaluation of all FMEL faculty members in conjunction with department chairs, the initiation of tenure and promotion for FMEL faculty members in consultation with appropriate department chairs, and supervision of staff including farm operations, automotive services, custodial/janitorial/maintenance services, and the center’s media specialist. The Director is responsible for communicating all facility needs and maintenance requirements to the appropriate staff and administrators. Close interaction with industry representatives and governmental agencies is expected. The Director strengthens and maintains strong ties and goodwill with stakeholders and support organizations, regulatory agencies, environmental groups, local and statewide governmental agencies, members of urban and rural clientele groups, and the public. The Director works with faculty and staff to facilitate a multi-disciplinary program related to the FMEL’s mission and actively encourages and supports graduate educational programs at the Center. The Director interacts with other research and education center directors, department chairs, faculty, and county extension faculty to foster cooperation and collaboration among faculty members at different administrative units within the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS). The Director must have the necessary skills to recruit and develop faculty and staff that will be responsive to the research and extension educational needs of the FMEL’s clientele groups. The Director will report administratively to the Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and programmatically to the deans and directors of the three functions: Research, Academic Programs, and Cooperative Extension.

QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates should have a Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) in Entomology, Biology, Ecology, Epidemiology, Public Health or closely related fields relevant to the mission of FMEL and experience in conducting major research and/or extension education programs. The candidate must have academic credentials that merit appointment at the rank of a tenured Professor in the appropriate academic department within IFAS. The candidate should have strong professional leadership, verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and administrative skills. Experience in obtaining and managing extramural support from industry, governmental, and/or regulatory agencies is required. Candidates must be supportive of the mission of the land-grant system and must also have a commitment to UF core values.

HOW TO APPLY: For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by 15 February 2026. Find out more here.