Careers at Virginia Tech

The School of Plant and Environmental Sciences (SPES) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Virginia Tech seeks to fill an academic year (9-month) tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Genomics and Physiological Mechanisms of Plant Adaptation to Temperature Stress. The incumbent will be expected to develop an internationally recognized and externally funded research program focused on the genetic and physiological aspects of plant adaptation to temperature stress in agricultural crops. Areas of research may include the physiological, developmental, or genomic aspects of plant response and adaptation to temperature stress, especially those related to climate change. Outcomes of this research program should identify resilience mechanisms that can be translated to agricultural production. The research should integrate, but not be limited to, physiology, -omics, genetics, and modeling approaches to gain comprehensive insights into plant adaptation to temperature stress. This position complements existing and recent hires by focusing on plant/water/nutrient dynamics and builds strength in the critical area of plant resilience and crop improvement. The incumbent is expected to work collaboratively with colleagues in SPES, at Virginia Tech Agricultural Research and Extension Centers, in other units at Virginia Tech, at other universities, and with industry partners. International collaboration is encouraged. The incumbent is expected to develop and teach a course in plant agriculture and abiotic stress. The incumbent is also expected to serve on SPES and CALS committees, participate in SPES and CALS community activities, be a good citizen of SPES, CALS, and Virginia Tech, maintain an active Hatch project and contribute to the overall institutional mission of service to Virginia stakeholders. The School of Plant and Environmental Sciences is committed to building an inclusive community, and we welcome applications from diverse, underrepresented candidates. Position requires occasional travel to attend conferences and meetings.
Projected start date is August 10, 2024. Appointment: Assistant Professor; 80% research and 20% teaching.

Ph.D. in plant science, plant genomics, or a closely aligned discipline; Demonstrated expertise and research experience in the genomics and physiological mechanisms of plant stress and adaptation; Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills; A commitment to mentoring students and advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion; Occasional travel to attend conferences and meetings.

A record of grantsmanship and publications in crop stress; Commitment to collaborative research with interdisciplinary approaches; Demonstrated excellent communication skills; Experience in teaching

Regular

85,000 - 100,000

01/04/2024

Applications: Required application materials include: 1) complete curriculum vitae, 2) official or unofficial transcripts of all Ph.D. course work, 3) statement of current research and future research and teaching interests as relevant to this position (three page maximum), and 4) names, addresses and email of four professional references. All inquiries should be directed to Search Committee Chair Dr. M.A. Sagahi-Maroof at smaroof@vt.edu. Review of applications will begin on January 4, 2024 and all applications received by this date will be reviewed and considered.

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

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.