The School of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Virginia Tech is inviting applications for an Assistant Professor of Agronomy—Grain Crop Extension Specialist. This position is a 9-month, academic year, tenure track position, 60% Extension, 40% Research, and will be located on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, VA. The School is recruiting an individual who will assume state-wide leadership in developing client-focused, innovative and highly visible extension and research programs in corn and small grain production and management for grain and silage. A cropping systems level approach to research is expected to incorporate varietal selection, modern management frameworks and technology-based monitoring to increase farm profitability. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability and willingness to participate in extension and research teams across related disciplines and is expected to work closely with Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Virginia Corn Board, Virginia Small Grains Board, Virginia Grain Producers Association, the Virginia Crop Improvement Association, and other associations to develop and deliver of research, extension, and educational programs. These programs will meet current and emerging needs of Virginia grain growers and related stakeholders. These include but are not limited to, activities that provide information and educational opportunities on modern cropping system innovations for human food, feed, fuel, and other alternative value-added end uses. The candidate will conduct official statewide corn hybrid and small grain variety trials and work cooperatively with breeding program faculty, Agricultural Research and Extension Center faculty, and other SPES, VT, or Virginia State University faculty and stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia to conduct and publish results from state-wide and other variety testing programs. The candidate is expected to develop a rigorous extramurally funded applied research program using the latest technology in agronomy, agentic AI, machine learning, remote-, bio-, and field sensors, as well as other agronomic feedback tools. The successful candidate is expected to mentor graduate students. Position requires occasional travel to attend conferences and meetings.

Ph.D. in Agronomy, Plant Sciences, or a closely related field by appointment start date. Experience with on-farm research and crop production; Demonstrated strong potential for impactful, externally funded research and Extension programming; a developing publication record (peer-reviewed journal articles and Extension materials); Effective communication skills; Ability to engage diverse stakeholder groups. The proposed research and Extension program must include a substantial applied component conducting field research in corn and other grain crops, with findings delivered to grain producing stakeholders and readily usable in grain management; Capacity to work cooperatively as part of a multidisciplinary team and travel within Virginia and elsewhere as required to support Extension programming and time-sensitive variety trials.

Experience with leading on-farm research teams to conduct research relevant to grain producing stakeholders; Experience collaborating with professional associations, industry partners, and government agencies, and those with a background in corn, small grain, and other field-based research and problem-solving with end users, will be especially competitive.

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Regular

90,000 - 110,000; Commensurate with experience

40

01/01/2027 (open until filled)

Review of applications will begin January 1, 2027 and continue until the position is filled. This position will be based on the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, with research and Extension activities conducted statewide in collaboration with the VT Turfgrass Team at the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center (Virginia Beach, Virginia) and other Virginia Tech research facilities. Employment is contingent upon a successful background check.

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 Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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