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Position Summary:
The School of Plant and Environmental Sciences ( SPES ) in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ( CALS ) at Virginia Tech seeks candidates to fill a 9-month tenure-track faculty position in genomics and breeding of horticultural specialty crops. This position will have a primary appointment in research with a secondary appointment in teaching. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an impactful, extramurally-funded research program using modern genetic, bioengineering and/or traditional plant breeding techniques to develop and improve horticultural specialty crops of importance or potential importance to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Research may be focused on resistance to biotic and/or abiotic stresses, adaptation to climate variability, improving yield and/or improving quality traits.
The candidate will be expected to develop a cutting-edge research program in genomics and breeding of horticultural specialty crops and to publish research results in appropriate peer-reviewed journals. The candidate will be expected to collaborate on research projects with on-campus SPES and CALS faculty, faculty located at Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Centers as well as faculty at other U.S. and/or international institutions. The candidate will be expected to teach courses their area of expertise and courses based on the teaching needs of SPES in consultation with the SPES Director. The candidate will also advise graduate and undergraduate students. Finally, the candidate will serve on School-, College- and University-level committees as assigned by the Director.

Required Qualifications:
A Ph.D. in horticulture, agronomy, plant biology or other closely aligned fields of study with training and demonstrable experience in plant genomics and breeding is required. Excellent written and oral communications skills are required.

Preferred Qualifications:
Specific experience with genomics and breeding of horticultural specialty crops is desirable as is experience in teaching. Additionally, demonstrable experiences or achievements in publishing referred research manuscripts as well as grantsmanship are desirable.



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