Samuels Endowed Chair in Animal Nutrition

Job Description

Virginia Tech invites applications for the Winston and Marilyn Samuels Endowed Chair in Animal Nutrition, a distinguished faculty position created to advance transformative research and graduate education in animal nutrition, metabolism, and livestock health. This prestigious appointment offers a unique opportunity for an accomplished scholar to shape the future of animal nutrition research at a leading land-grant university.

The Samuels Chair will serve as both a scientific leader and program architect, building an internationally recognized research program that addresses critical challenges in livestock nutrition, animal health, and sustainable food production. The successful candidate will also play a central role in advancing a university-wide initiative in nutrition and metabolic biology, fostering collaboration across disciplines including animal science, veterinary medicine, engineering, data science, and the life sciences.

Through this position, Virginia Tech seeks to recruit a visionary scholar whose work drives discovery at the interface of biology, technology, and sustainability—generating innovative solutions that enhance livestock production systems and improve the nutritional quality of animal-derived foods with downstream impacts on human health.

Key Responsibilities

The Samuels Chair will:

Lead a globally recognized research program in animal nutrition and metabolism, integrating fundamental biological discovery with translational applications that improve animal health, productivity, and sustainability.

Secure and sustain extramural funding to support a high-impact, innovative research portfolio.

Mentor graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and early-career faculty, fostering a collaborative and supportive research environment.

Contribute to graduate education, including teaching a graduate-level course aligned with their expertise and providing intellectual leadership in curriculum and program development.

Build interdisciplinary collaborations across Virginia Tech and with external partners in academia, industry, and government.

Advance institutional research initiatives in animal nutrition and metabolic biology, helping position Virginia Tech as a global leader in this space.

Areas of Research Focus

Relevant research areas may include, but are not limited to:

Nutritional regulation of growth, reproduction, lactation, and metabolic efficiency

Nutritional biochemistry and metabolic physiology

Gut health and microbiome–host interactions (particularly in monogastric species)

Precision nutrition and systems-based approaches to nutrient utilization

Nutrition-based strategies aligned with “food-as-medicine” concepts

Sustainable nutrition solutions that enhance environmental stewardship in livestock systems

This is a research appointment, with expectations for high-impact scholarship and sustained productivity.

Research Environment

Virginia Tech offers an exceptional and collaborative environment for animal nutrition and metabolic biology research, including:

Extensive livestock research herds and modern experimental facilities on the Blacksburg campus

Access to additional infrastructure through Agricultural Research and Extension Centers across Virginia

Advanced analytical platforms supporting metabolomics, systems biology, and molecular physiology

Strong interdisciplinary partnerships across engineering, veterinary medicine, agriculture, and biomedical sciences

A vibrant and engaged community of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars

The Samuels Chair will have a significant opportunity to shape new research directions and build strategic collaborations that strengthen Virginia Tech’s leadership in animal agriculture and food systems. This is a full-time, 9-month academic appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor in the School of Animal Sciences. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Virginia Tech offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Required Qualifications

A Ph.D. in Animal Science, Nutrition, Physiology, or a closely related discipline; A distinguished record of nationally and internationally recognized scholarship; Demonstrated success in securing sustained extramural research funding; A strong record of mentoring graduate students and trainees; Evidence of leadership in developing innovative, high-impact research programs; Demonstrated ability to build and sustain multidisciplinary collaborations.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience leading large, interdisciplinary research initiatives; Demonstrated impact on advancing sustainable livestock systems or food systems innovation; Interest in mentoring junior faculty and contributing to program development.

Salary Information

Commensurate with Experience

Review Date

05/31/2026

Additional Information

Review of applications will begin May 31, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.

Applicants must apply online at: https://www.jobs.vt.edu

Required materials include:

-Letter of application

-Curriculum vitae

-Statement of research vision and interests

-Statement of teaching philosophy and interests

-Contact information for at least three professional references

Inquiries may be directed to:

Dr. Mark Hanigan

School of Animal Sciences

Virginia Tech

3470 Litton-Reaves Hall (0306)

Blacksburg, VA 24061-0306

mhanigan@vt.edu

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

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 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.

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.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Dr. Mark Hanigan at mhanigan@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.