Careers at Virginia Tech

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Virginia Tech is seeking a highly qualified candidate for a faculty position with a focus on seafood quality, safety, sensory, and engineering. The position will be located at the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center (VSAREC) (https://www.arec.vaes.vt.edu/arec/virginia-seafood.html), Hampton, Virginia, with tenure home in the Department of Food Science and Technology (www.fst.vt.edu), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia. This is a 9-month tenure-track position with 45% Research, 45% Extension, and 10% teaching appointment.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to cocreate a pre-eminent extension and research program on seafood quality, safety, engineering, and security in seafood and related products. This position will assist fisheries professionals, processors, wholesalers, and retail establishments to improve product quality, safety, nutritional aspects, and value; And serve as a key resource for national food safety/security efforts and regulatory requirements under the USDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The successful candidate will work closely with VSAREC faculty and staff, faculty across ARECS, and campus faculty in CALS and other colleges at Virginia Tech. This position will support the University’s Global Systems Science Destination area; the CALS Center for Advanced Innovation in Agriculture and Controlled Environmental Agriculture Innovation Centers; and create and support critical links between faculty and programs distributed across AREC’s, CALS units, and the University.

The position is expected to develop and conduct outreach and educational programs for stakeholders, including producers, educators, processors, consumers, regulatory agencies, and other decision-makers. The individual will be expected to develop and establish nationally and internationally recognized research and extension programs and obtain extramural funding from various sources with an emphasis on competitive and industry funding. Potential research areas may include (but are not limited to) seafood quality, safety, engineering, and cellular agriculture, as well as optimization of value-added and shelf-life applications related to seafood products. Supporting the Universities’ Global Systems Science Destination Area, this position will also focus on the transdisciplinary study of the dynamic interplay among natural and social systems. Faculty working in this area collaborate toward transdisciplinary solutions to critical social problems emerging from human activity and environmental change. Linkages with other faculty within and outside the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are highly encouraged. The successful candidate will also contribute to graduate education. Qualified candidates will demonstrate the ability to recruit and mentor graduate (M.S. and Ph.D.) and undergraduate students and be committed to professional service.

Ph.D. in Food Science or related field, and experience in microbiology, chemistry, quality control, or processing of fish, shellfish, and related food products. Demonstrated ability to obtain extramural funding is highly desired. The candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills, demonstrated ability for and commitment to quality student education, demonstrated publication record, and ability to develop and conduct scholarly research, both independently and collaboratively. They will create a collegial and diverse environment with key stakeholders and the university. Applicants from diverse and international backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Candidates must be able to work legally in the U.S.

While a strong background in seafood food safety is fundamental. Additional experience in food engineering, cellular agriculture, innovation for shelf-life extension as well as shipping, tracking, and ID of fresh/processed/packaged products are also desirable, but not required. Experience on teams addressing seafood quality, safety, and security issues is also helpful, as is demonstrated experience with interdisciplinary teaching or research in areas that align with Virginia Tech’s university-wide, multi-disciplinary focus on Virginia Tech’s Global Systems Science Destination area.

Regular

Salary will be commensurate with the qualifications of the applicant.

January 6, 2025

Applications will be reviewed beginning January 6th, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. The position start date is August 2025. Inquiries concerning the position or application process should be directed to the search committee chair, Jonathan van Senten, jonat86@vt.edu

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Qualified people are requested to submit all application materials electronically to: https://listings.jobs.vt.edu/postings/.

● Letter of application summarizing qualifications relevant to the position description
● Resume, including a complete list of publications with citations
● Research and Extension interests, goals, and vision
● List of 3-4 references with contact information

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.

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.