Associate agricultural

Virginia Tech is seeking a post-doctoral researcher for a two-year position focused on the agroecology of apple orchards. The role involves leading research on orchard sustainability, mentoring students, and conducting field and lab activities related to biodiversity and soil health. Candidates should have a PhD in ecology or related fields. This position requires collaboration with various professionals and is based in Blacksburg, VA.
Job Description

An interdisciplinary team at Virginia Tech is seeking a post-doctoral researcher to lead a new project focused on the agroecology of apple orchards. The project aims to improve orchard sustainability by linking plant and microbial diversity in the orchard understory to soil health and improved fruit quality, including nutrient and polyphenol composition. We focus in particular on the production of high-quality fruit for the growing craft cider industry, which represents an important value-added market in Virginia that connects growers directly to consumers. We will combine on-farm case studies across Virginia, ecological experiments in our research orchard at Virginia Tech, and survey-based socio-economic research to understand how fruit quality is shaped by the orchard agroecosystem and perceived by both consumers and cider-makers. The post-doc will have their primary home in the Whitehead Lab (speciesinteractions.com) with extensive collaboration and co-mentorship from the Igwe Lab (igwelab.com) and Larochelle Lab (https://aaec.vt.edu/people/faculty/larochelle-catherine.html).

The post-doc will mentor students and lead diverse research activities in both the field and lab, including biodiversity surveys for plants, microbes, and insects, soil health analysis, phytochemical analysis of fruits, and design and analysis of economic surveys. They will communicate results broadly to both scientific and non-technical audiences (e.g. presenting at grower meetings or developing extension factsheets). We will provide mentorship and broad interdisciplinary training through our project team which includes ecologists, economists, apple growers, extension agents, and industry professionals. This is a great opportunity for a scientist interested in the intersection of ecology, sociology, and agriculture to strengthen skills in project management and systems-level interdisciplinary research.

This is a two-year position, dependent on anticipated funding, with a start date negotiable between June-Aug 2025.

Required Qualifications

A PhD in ecology, plant science, microbiology, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

Please note that any of these skills would be helpful, but we do not expect candidates to have experience in all these areas.
• Strong writing skills and evidence of ability to carry projects through to publication
• Strong organizational skills and leadership experience
• Experience designing and carrying out field experiments
• Experience conducting biodiversity surveys for plants and/or insects in the field
• Background in phytochemical analysis techniques such as HPLC
• Bioinformatic and statistical skill-set including programming/data analysis in R
• Experience with DNA extractions, PCR, amplicon sequencing, and bioinformatics pipelines for microbial community ecology
• Experience with socio-economic research, including design and analysis of surveys
• Experience with supervision/mentorship of student researchers
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing a culture of shared understanding and equitable outcomes in science and agriculture
• Experience managing project logistics such as travel, scheduling project personnel, maintaining equipment, and ordering/organizing supplies

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

June 2, 2025

Additional Information

This is a two-year position, dependent on anticipated funding, with a start date negotiable between June-Aug 2025.

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.

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

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer