Careers at Virginia Tech

The College of Science at Virginia Tech seeks applicants for a 9-month research and teaching tenure-track position at any rank in the area of environmental data science as part of a campus-wide Invasive Species cluster hire located at the Blacksburg, VA campus. The position will concentrate on understanding the complex factors that shape invasive species spread, occurrence, and persistence to inform early detection, rapid response, and long-term management of invasive species. The focus of the position is to develop an innovative research program in retrospective and predictive modeling of invasive species at any organismal scale that reconstructs or predicts invasive species risk, spread, and impacts. Research may be applied or basic, empirical or theoretical, focused on known or novel invasive species, and performed at any geographical scale or region. While the search will be jointly conducted with the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Biological Sciences, the successful candidate will choose the department that best suits their preferences and career goals.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in their area of expertise in accordance with their home department. Advising and mentoring of both graduate and undergraduate students is expected. Participation in departmental, college, and university affairs and collaboration with faculty both within and across the university is strongly encouraged and expected.

The successful candidate is expected to participate in Virginia Tech’s Invasive Species Collaborative (ISC) as a faculty affiliate. This search is part of a university-wide initiative to foster growth in this existing transdisciplinary research group, working to develop solutions to a complex global problem of invasive species that directly or indirectly impact the lives or livelihoods of people, costing the global economy in excess of $1 trillion annually. The successful candidate is expected to leverage the expertise of the ISC at Virginia Tech and engage in team science with the group as an extension of, or complement to their own research program. The individual will also have the opportunity to contribute to the growth of the ISC to a globally-recognized Center of Excellence at Virginia Tech that focuses on invasive species science, technology, management, outreach, and policy.

● Ph.D. in a relevant discipline (e.g., ecology, zoology, mathematics, statistics).
● Demonstrated research accomplishments in the areas of ecology, mathematical biology, or data science that relates, or can be related to, invasive species
● Demonstrated ability and interest in developing and teaching courses in ecology, mathematical biology, data science, or closely related content areas.
● Demonstrated effectiveness in verbal and written communication.
● Enthusiasm for team science collaborations, including academics in other disciplines, state or federal agencies, NGOs, or private industry.
● Commitment to principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in teaching and research.

● Demonstrated experience in using data science and/or mathematical modeling to study or predict the risk, spread, or impacts of invasive species.
● Evidence of ability to work in transdisciplinary teams.
● Demonstrated ability to acquire research funding for relevant research
● Demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence through experience and/or through training.
● Demonstrated record of research or teaching addressing needs of under-represented communities, including racial, ethnic, and religious minorities, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Regular

Commensurate with experience

December 23, 2024

Required Application Materials

1.) Resume/CV; 2.) Cover letter expressing statement of interest in the position (not to exceed 1 page); 3.) Names, titles, and full contact information for 3 professional references; 4.) Written statement describing: 1. teaching and mentoring experience and philosophy 2. research experience and future plans 3. commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in relation to the position description (not to exceed 5 pages) For guidance on a statement of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, please visit https://www.biol.vt.edu/Diversity/Diversity_Statement_Guidelines_2024.html

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.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.