Careers at Virginia Tech

The Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center (TAREC), in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, seeks an Assistant Professor in Entomology or a closely related field with state-wide crop responsibilities of cotton, peanuts, grain crops (corn, wheat and barley) and soybeans in Virginia. This is a 12-month, tenure track faculty position, with an appointment of 50% Cooperative Extension (Virginia Cooperative Extension Service) 50% research (Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station). The successful candidate’s tenure home will be the Department of Entomology on the main campus (https://www.ento.vt.edu). This position is eligible to be part of the Center for Advanced Innovation in Agriculture as well as contribute to Virginia’s Smart Farm Innovation Network.

The candidate will be expected to develop an innovative and vigorous regional, national and internationally recognized, externally funded Extension and research program focused on state-wide integrated pest management to mitigate insect losses in cotton, peanuts, grain crops, and soybeans. These crops occupy a large and diverse geographic area and constitute $546.8 million in farm gate value to the Commonwealth (2022).

Extension responsibilities will focus on developing recommendations and delivery of timely technical training to county Extension agents, farmers (stakeholders), and crop advisors through a combination of applied research, print and electronic resources, face-to-face meetings, field days, and farm visits. The candidate will develop and deliver sound insect pest management guidelines to empower stakeholders to make better decisions. The candidate will address current and emerging insect pest issues pertaining to agronomic cropping systems in conjunction with faculty specializing in agronomy, disease management, precision agriculture, and other appropriate fields of study.

The candidate will deliver practical information and educational tools via direct and indirect contact with clientele (e.g., newsletters, blogs, webinars) through Extension publication outlets and participation in county, state, regional, national, and international Extension activities.

The incumbent is also expected to develop a balanced applied and basic research program that generates new knowledge to solve relevant insect pest issues that impact agronomic crops. This includes developing and implementing novel insect pest management practices that integrate current and emerging technologies into Virginia and Mid-Atlantic agronomic cropping systems. Research effort carries with it an explicit expectation of excellence in competitive grantsmanship and timely communication of scholarship and research findings via peer reviewed/refereed journal articles. The candidate is expected to develop a strong program in collaboration with other faculty at the Tidewater AREC as well as other ARECs and campus faculty appropriate to specific projects. International engagement and recognition are encouraged and expected as your career advances.

The candidate will be expected to recruit and mentor graduate students. Finally, the successful candidate will be expected to provide service to the TAREC, department, college, university and state as the successful candidate’s expertise allows.

The candidate will be involved in graduate education through recruiting and mentoring graduate students and participate in offering online courses where appropriate. Involvement with graduate education is highly desirable in order to develop the next generation of Extension agents, specialists, entomologists, farmers, and crop advisers through mentoring and training of graduate students.

Ph.D. in Entomology or equivalent discipline with a concentration in Entomology by appointment start date
Effective communication and interpersonal skills
Capacity for effective instruction and mentoring of graduate students
Proven ability to publish in refereed journals
An ability to establish funding to support applied and basic research.
An ability to establish an effective outreach presence in the Tidewater Region of Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the nation.
Experience working in an interdisciplinary environment.
An ability to obtain a Virginia Commercial Pesticide License (Category 10) within 12 months of hire date.
Experience with field crop production systems.

Previous experience working with stakeholders, disseminating information, and implementing Extension programs.
Experience in insect identification.
Experience conducting applied field research.
Demonstrated ability to secure extramural funding.
Ability to deliver information and tools via modern media technologies to diverse audiences.
Ability to effectively manage staff and graduate students.

Regular

Commensurate with experience

September 15, 2023

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check. 

In addition to completing an on-line application form, the online package should include: 1) a cover letter highlighting the applicant’s qualifications and fit to this position, 2) a current curriculum vita, 3) a two-page statement of research and extension interests and future research plans, and 4) three names and contact information of references who can assess the applicant’s qualifications for this position. 

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.