Asst. Professor - Nursery Production Specialist

Asst. Professor - Nursery Production Specialist

Pay Competitive

Employment type Other

Job Description

• Req# : 525794

Job Description

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) is seeking a Nursery Production Specialist for the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center (HRAREC) in Virginia Beach, VA. This is a full-time 9 or 12-month (to be determined by the successful candidate) Assistant Professor, tenure track faculty position in Nursery Production, and a tenure home in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences.

The Nursery Production Specialist is expected to maintain a highly productive research and statewide extension program in nursery crop production with relevance to the vision and mission of HRAREC and in support of the nursery industry in Virginia.

Potential research areas include water use, water quality, irrigation management, nutrient management, propagation, evaluating new plant introductions, remote sensing, precision agriculture, agrichemical management and remediation, including development and evaluation of best management practices, and / or physiochemical properties of soilless substrates. The candidate's research and extension programs are expected to engage with stakeholders across Virginia, the SmartFarm Innovation Network, and the Center for Advanced Innovation in Agriculture (CAIA) and effectively collaborate with the ARECs and Blacksburg campus faculty and Virginia Cooperative Extension agents through other Virginia Tech initiatives as appropriate.

Responsibilities : The primary responsibility of this position is to assist the Virginia nursery industry in improving resource efficiency, optimizing production, and minimizing environmental impacts while ensuring sustainable revenues. The Nursery Production Specialist will also provide expertise in current and future integrated research and extension programs focused on critical issues in the production and use of nursery crops.

Expectations include successful recruiting and mentoring of graduate students to degree completion, working collaboratively with Virginia Cooperative Extension agents and specialists, and developing cooperative partnerships with external stakeholders. The individual will support Virginia Cooperative Extension through in-service training and by disseminating information via social media, extension publications, presentations, newsletters and other means to producers, extension agents and others affiliated with the nursery industry. Guest lectures are also encouraged to support existing undergraduate and graduate courses. Participation in institutional and professional service activities that align with the candidate's strengths will also be expected. In combination, the successful candidate's career will contribute to the national and global recognition of HRAREC and expansion of Virginia Tech's reputation in this domain.

Required Qualifications :

Preferred Qualifications :

Appointment Type : Regular

Salary Information : Commensurate with experience

Review Date : September 3, 2023

Additional Information :

Applications should include :

The completed online application, a formal, concise cover letter summarizing the applicant's qualifications fitting the position (2-page max), a statement of research interests, extension philosophy and programming interests (2-page max), a current curriculum vitae, and a complete list of research and extension publications and grants; and three (3) names and contact information of references who can assess the candidate's qualifications for this position.

For questions regarding the search, please contact :

Alejandro Del-Pozo, Ph.D., Chair

Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist

Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center

Department of Entomology

Virginia Tech

adelpozo@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 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 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, 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. Alejandro Del-Pozo at adelpozo@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

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