Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is seeking applicants for a 9-month tenure track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in Cropping Systems and Organic Production with research (50%) and extension (50%) responsibilities. This position, based at the Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) in Blackstone, Virginia, will work collaboratively with resident faculty at ARECs across Virginia and the main campus to provide relevant and timely research-based information to stakeholders producing plant commodities in the Commonwealth. The Virginia Tech ARECs, with faculty from a broad range of disciplines, are at the forefront of cross-disciplinary applied research and discovery related to agronomic and horticultural crops, forages, livestock, and seafood.
This position will have a tenure affiliation with the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Virginia Tech and will also be affiliated with the Center for Advanced Innovation in Agriculture (CIAA), contributing to Virginia’s Smart Farm Innovation Network.
The successful candidate will develop a regionally and nationally recognized research and Extension outreach program to improve and enhance production capacity, profitability, and sustainability of agricultural commodities, especially those in the Southern Piedmont region of Virginia. The candidate is expected to establish and maintain close working relationships with Virginia Tech faculty, Extension agents, producers, industry, commodity groups, state agencies, and other organizations and institutions, as appropriate. The successful individual is expected to secure extramural funds (including federal competitive funding) to support an integrated Extension and research program. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are necessary, and the successful candidate is also expected to recruit and mentor graduate students. International engagement and recognition are encouraged and expected as the candidate’s career advances.
Research duties and expectations:
The candidate will be expected to lead a collaborative, multidisciplinary team of peer researchers, technicians, and students that conduct relevant applied and basic research addressing problems faced by stakeholders. Desired areas of specialization include agronomic management practices such as crop rotations, cover crops, and irrigation technology and topics relevant to the candidate’s area of expertise. Research activities and expectations include (but are not limited to):
● Obtaining external funding to support research on organic and conventional cropping systems.
● Increasing the productivity of regional agriculture by addressing existing challenges to production resilience and profitability.
● Creating opportunities to attract talent and train future generations.
● Publishing research results in peer-reviewed journals.
Extension duties and expectations:
● Working with a multidisciplinary team of Extension specialists, county Extension agents, and researchers to develop and conduct targeted research that addresses state and local needs.
● Establishing a highly visible outreach program founded on science-based information and research.
● Developing recommendations and delivering technical training to county Extension agents, farmers (stakeholders), and crop advisors.
● Delivery of practical information and educational tools via direct and indirect contact with clientele. Examples include:
o Participating in county, state, regional, national, and international Extension meetings, conferences, and field day events.
o Publishing timely and relevant information through Extension publications.
o Delivering timely information and advice through media outlets such as bulletins, newsletters, websites, blogs, videos, webinars, and social media.
o Responding to stakeholder and county Extension agent inquiries and needs as they arise. Troubleshooting problems via farm visits and other means of communication (e.g., video calls, text, email).
Teaching duties and expectations:
The candidate is expected to contribute to graduate student education by recruiting, mentoring and training graduate students and fostering the next generation of Extension agents and specialists, researchers, farmers, and crop advisers. Guest lectures are also encouraged to support existing undergraduate and graduate courses.
Service duties and expectations:
As a satellite campus of Virginia Tech, the Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research & Extension Center (AREC) hosts a multidisciplinary team of faculty, staff, and students. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the professional development of peers, staff, and students via personal interactions and formal trainings. Additionally, service to the professional community through review of publications, participation in and service to professional associations and meetings, and participation in competitive grant panels is expected.