Job Description

The Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center (ESAREC) (https://www.arec.vaes.vt.edu/arec/eastern-shore.html), in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, seeks an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Applied Entomology. The incumbent will focus on crops significant to Virginia's agricultural economy and important to the Eastern Shore and Coastal Plain regions of Virginia (potato, tomato, snap bean, broccoli, corn, soybean, wheat, and others). This is a 9-month tenure track faculty position (50% research and 50% Extension). The candidate's tenure home will be within the Department of Entomology (https://www.ento.vt.edu).
The successful candidate will:
- Develop an extramurally funded, nationally renowned applied research program focused on vegetable, grain, and oilseed entomology, with an emphasis on issues important to Eastern Shore growers and vegetable farmers across the Commonwealth.
- Conduct research and extension programs in integrated pest management for arthropod pests and how they respond adaptively to rapidly changing environments, pesticide chemistries, and crops.
- Mentor graduate students and teach within online courses when necessary.
- Integrate technology into both research and extension programming.
- Provide important contributions to extension programming by offering farmers, industry, Extension agents, and other stakeholders training as needed.
- Develop new and innovative programming with other entomology faculty at Virginia Tech and elsewhere.
- Adopt a multidisciplinary approach to research and problem-solving that will enhance teamwork and collaboration within the Department of Entomology, ESAREC, the university community, and the larger scientific field.
Located in Painter, Virginia on the environmentally sensitive and agronomically important Eastern Shore of Virginia, the ESAREC is committed to supporting commercial vegetable, grain, and oilseed cropping systems. Faculty, staff, and graduate students at the ESAREC grow more than twenty-five agricultural crops annually for research and extension studies. New, state-of-the-art applied research that is relevant to local farming operations is essential to ensure the Eastern Shore and Eastern Virginia remains a leader in commercial agricultural production.
Required Qualifications

Applicants are required to hold a PhD in entomology or a closely related discipline by the appointment start date. The candidate must have effective communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with diverse teams and audiences, internal and external to the University. The candidate must have the capacity to mentor graduate students and develop applied research programs relevant to the mid-Atlantic region. Previous experience securing extramural funding, publishing in high quality peer-reviewed journals, and documentation of effective extension outreach is necessary. Incumbents must obtain a Category 10 (Demonstration and Research Pest Control) Virginia Commercial Pesticide License within 12 months of hire. Position requires occasional travel to attend conferences and meetings.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to individuals with post-doctoral experience and a demonstrated ability to integrate various cropping systems, including vegetable, grain, and oilseed crops.

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$85,000 - $100,000; commensurate with experience

Review Date

January 31, 2024

Additional Information

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

Application: Individuals wishing to apply should go to . Review of applications will begin January 31, 2024, and continue until a suitable candidate is selected. Applications should include the completed on-line application; which includes: 1) a formal cover letter addressing the applicant's interests and qualifications in research and extension, 2) a current curriculum vita, 3) a two-page research statement, 4) a two-page Extension interests statement, and 5) three names and contact information of references who can assess the applicant's qualifications for this position. Inquiries concerning the position or application process should be directed to the ESAREC director, Dr. Mark Reiter (mreiter@vt.edu, 757.807.6576), Eastern Shore AREC, Virginia Tech, Painter, VA 23420.

About Virginia Tech

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 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 , a , a college, , and . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous and . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.