Virginia Tech is inviting applications for an Assistant Professor of Commercial Vegetable Horticulture (9-month, tenure track position, 50% Research, 50% Extension) to be located at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center (ESAREC) (https://www.arec.vaes.vt.edu/arec/eastern-shore.html); which is located on the Virginia portion of the Delmarva Peninsula between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The position will have academic affiliation with the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Virginia Tech (SPES; https://spes.vt.edu). Specific responsibilities will be to develop an innovative, nationally recognized research and extension program focused on commercial horticulture for vegetables and other potential crops for the Eastern Shore, Northern Neck, Southeast Virginia, and other parts of the Commonwealth where vegetable production is important. Large acreage vegetable crops include snap bean, potato, tomato, pumpkin, broccoli, among others. Programs should advance understanding of varieties, fumigation, irrigation, high tunnels, equipment, and introduce new crops to our state. Innovative technologies, to develop management practices, should be utilized within the SmartFarm Innovation NetworkTM (https://caia.cals.vt.edu/index.html). The incumbent is expected to secure funding to develop and implement a sustainable and dynamic program with targets to innovate current production systems, produce higher yield and/or high-quality vegetable products, and lead team efforts to increase vegetable economic outputs in Virginia. Research should be applicable to grower needs and publishable in refereed journals.
Candidates must demonstrate excellent communication skills and collaborate well with producers, farm consultants, researchers, extension agents, agribusiness personnel, and government agencies to develop and deliver educational programs. Scholarship must be demonstrated through peer-reviewed research and extension publications, recruiting, and advising graduate students, and securing extramural funding to support research and extension programs. Prior to employment, candidates must have an earned Ph.D. in Horticulture or a closely related field. Knowledge of production agriculture is expected.
Applications will be accepted online at jobs.vt.edu. Required application materials include: 1) cover letter summarizing qualifications, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) graduate transcripts, 4) statement of current research and extension interests (no longer than 2 pages), and 5) full contact information for four professional references. All inquiries concerning this position should be directed to the ESAREC Director, Dr. Mark Reiter, mreiter@vt.edu. Review of applications will begin on March 24, 2025 and will continue until a suitable candidate is selected.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran status; or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss or disclose their compensation or compensation of other employees, or applicants, or any other basis protected by law.
