Director of Shimberg Center for Housing Studies

The M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Building Construction at the University of Florida http://www.bcn.ufl.edu/ seeks a Director for the Shimberg Center for Housing Studies (SCHS).

SCHS was established at the University of Florida in 1988 to promote safe, decent and affordable housing and related community development throughout the state of Florida. The Center conducts research relating to the problems and solutions associated with the availability of affordable housing in the state. 

In the past several years, the work of SCHS has focused on three areas: comprehensive affordable housing data, community (housing) development, and housing technology. A primary focus is the Florida Housing Data Clearinghouse, which provides public access to comprehensive data on Florida’s housing needs and supply, subsidized rental housing, household demographics, and population projections. Candidates are encouraged to view the three websites that SCHS maintains: the SCHS general site (http://www.shimberg.ufl.edu), the Florida Housing Data Clearinghouse (http://flhousingdata.shimberg.ufl.edu), and the SCHS site on research and data regarding assisted rental housing preservation (http://preservation.shimberg.ufl.edu).

The Director is responsible for managing research and service which are focused upon problems and solutions associated with the availability of affordable housing in the state of Florida, and disseminating the results of such research to appropriate public and private audiences in the state and throughout the nation.   

Specifically, the director will work with the associate director to:

• Continue and expand current initiatives including the Florida Housing Data Clearinghouse, ongoing applied research, and academic programs

• Develop new research initiatives and secure external funding

• Develop and teach courses in the Building Construction program residential track

·        Secure financial sponsorship to support SCHS programs and operations through ongoing fundraising from a variety of public, private, and philanthropic sources

·        Direct strategic, tactical, and operational aspects of SCHS

• Provide service to the state and to a diverse group of stakeholders, including state agencies and policymakers, local governments, non-profit housing agencies, and the general public

• Encourage partnerships and cooperation with other elements of the University, other research institutions, public and private agencies, corporations, and community-based groups.

The position will be filled at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor in the Rinker School of Building Construction, tenure upon hire negotiable based upon experience.  Applicants must demonstrate academic credentials and experience appropriate to the academic rank and ability to assume leadership in research, teaching and service congruent with the mission of SCHS. A doctoral degree and distinguished record of research and scholarly activities are required. Familiarity with state and national housing programs and policies and facility in the use of housing and demographic data in policy research are essential.  Successful experience in a university research environment is strongly desirable.

Applicants must provide a curriculum vita, a letter of introduction and interest, a description of the applicant’s research area(s) of interest, and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of five professional references.  All applicants should apply at https://jobs.ufl.edu using requisition number 0803413.  Review of applications will begin January 18, 2010 and will continue until a suitable applicant pool has been identified.  The selection process will be conducted under provisions of Florida’s “Government in Sunshine” and public record laws.  The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff.  We highly encourage applications from women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.  Further information is available at http://www.ufl.edu.