Assistant Professor of Horticultural Cropping Systems

Virginia Tech is seeking an Assistant Professor of Commercial Vegetable Horticulture for a tenure-track position at the Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Painter, VA. The role involves developing a research and extension program focused on vegetable horticulture, collaborating with various stakeholders, and securing funding. Candidates must have a Ph.D. in Horticulture or a related field and demonstrate strong communication skills and scholarship.
Job Description

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 April 23,
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.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Horticulture, Crop Science, Agronomy or closely related
field

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work well with
producers, farm consultants, researchers, Extension agents,
agribusiness personnel, and government agencies in the development
and delivery of educational programs.

• Experience planning and implementing research

• Record of peer-reviewed publication

Preferred Qualifications

• Successful grantsmanship

• Teaching and/or team leadership experience

• Extension education and publication record

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

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

Hours per week

40

Review Date

April 23, 2025

Additional Information

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 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 Reiter at mreiter@vt.edu
during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to
the event.

Advertised: March 12, 2025

Applications close: