Invasive Species Geneticist

Job Description

As part of a campuswide cluster hire on invasive species the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation in the College of Natural Resources and the Environment at Virginia Tech seeks applicants for a 9month tenuretrack research 60 teaching 30 and service 10 position at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank. The successful candidate will study fish or wildlife populations using cuttingedge genetic/genomic tools to improve detection identification rapid response management and/or eradication of invasive species. Possible areas of research could include the use of environmental DNA metabarcoding genomics proteomics transcriptomics gene editing or related approaches for studying invasive species that affect fish or wildlife populations.

The successful candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in their area of expertise in the department. Advising and mentoring both graduate and undergraduate students is required. Participation in departmental college and university affairs and collaboration with faculty both within the department and across the university is expected.

The successful candidate will also be affiliated with Virginia Techs Invasive Species Collaborative (ISC). The ISC is a universitywide initiative with its academic home within the Global Change Center (GCC) at Virginia Tech a campuswide center within the Fralin Life Sciences Institute. The ISC seeks to foster growth in transdisciplinary research to develop solutions to the complex global problem of invasive species which impacts the lives of all people costing the global economy more than $423 billion annually. This position is part of a cluster hire funded by the Provosts office that includes seven faculty positions related to invasive species in environmental law and public policy science and technology predictive modeling and research and extension. The successful candidate is expected to leverage the expertise of the Department the ISC the broader GCC and other vibrant collaborative research communities at Virginia Tech to engage in team science with associated faculty.

Researchers who can collaborate with a range of scientists and stakeholders and who can secure funding from national and international funding sources are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to collaborative individuals employing cuttingedge research methods and who have a demonstrated ability to effectively disseminate research results through diverse outlets across the scientificpublic spectrum. The individual will also be expected to contribute to the development of proposals to secure significant extramural funding to support a center of excellence at Virginia Tech focusing on invasive species science technology management outreach and policy.

The department and university values diversity and continually strives to maintain and promote an inclusive learning and research environment that embraces all students faculty and staff. We are particularly interested in applications from persons identifying with groups currently underrepresented in natural resources fields including but not limited to Black Indigenous people of color and underrepresented genders. This includes cis women trans women trans men nonbinary people and those who are otherwise marginalized.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT AND COLLEGE
Established in 1972 the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservations vision is to significantly contribute to fish and wildlife resource conservation and management at state national and international levels through integrated programs in research teaching and engagement. The Department currently comprises 22 teaching research and extension faculty 6 technical support and research staff and approximately 75 graduate and 300 undergraduate students. The department is also home to 8 federal scientists including the USGS Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service. Approximately 35 postdoctoral associates and research scientists are supported by department faculty. The departments educational research and outreach missions are supported by research laboratories in at least 6 buildings on campus with most faculty offices housed in portions of the adjacently located Cheatham Latham and Steger Halls. Field operations are conducted out of the Wild Animal Research Facilities which includes the Research Aviary the Freshwater Mussel Conservation Laboratory and the Conservation Aquaculture Laboratory.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation is well known for encompassing diverse disciplines and promoting interdisciplinary collaborations including but not limited to areas such as ecosystem ecology behavioral ecology population dynamics physiology ecotoxicology disease ecology humanwildlife conflicts human dimensions of natural resource conservation marine ecology and fisheries natural resource policy and fish and wildlife habitat management.

The Department offers the Bachelor of Science degree in Fish and Wildlife Conservation and a minor in Biodiversity Conservation. The Department also offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences. Graduate students study a diverse range of subjects reflecting the broad expertise and interest of the faculty and participate widely in interdisciplinary programs across campus and beyond.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in biology ecology fish and wildlife conservation/management conservation science genetics genomics or related field.
Demonstrated effectiveness in verbal and written communication to include an outstanding peerreviewed publication record in accordance with career stage.
Demonstrated experience using genetic or genomic tools for detecting monitoring studying and/or managing invasive species of any taxonomic group that affect fish or wildlife.
Demonstrated experience with collaborations or team science including other academic disciplines state or federal agencies NGOs and/or private industry.
Demonstrated commitment to principles of diversity equity inclusion and accessibility in teaching and research.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated ability and interest in developing and teaching courses in genetics and/or genomics invasive species management or closely related areas.
Evidence of ability to work in interdisciplinary teams with the goal of producing scientific evidence that can translate to realworld applications or solutions.
Demonstrated teaching effectiveness.
Evidence of inclusive teaching and research practices and a demonstrated record of working with individuals from underrepresented and marginalized communities

*Required Application Materials

1. Resume/CV; 2. Cover letter expressing statement of interest in the position (not to exceed 1 page); 3. Names titles and full contact information for 3 professional references; 4. Written statement describing: 1. teaching and mentoring experience and philosophy 2. research experience and future plans 3. commitment to diversity equity and inclusion in relation to the position description (not to exceed 3 pages).

Appointment Type

Regular

Review Date

October 11 2024

Additional Information

Inquiries should be addressed to the Search Committee Chair with an email header that reads INVASIVE SPECIES GENETICIST:

Dr. William A. Hopkins
Professor Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Director The Global Change Center at Virginia Tech
Associate Executive Director The Fralin Life Sciences Institute
College of Natural Resources Virginia Tech 100 Cheatham Hall 0321
Blacksburg VA 24061
email:

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 handson transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problemsolvers. A comprehensive landgrant 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 36000 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 Techs rapidly growing presence near Washington D.C. generates exciting opportunities for engaging stakeholders and decision makers in the National Capital Region.

Virginia Tech is a highly collegial researchintensive Land Grant University that boasts exceptional collective strengths in environmentoriented fields. It has numerous strategic initiatives including the Invasive Species Collaborative that connect faculty from diverse disciplines and colleges through resource allocations that foster collaboration and new synergies to solve todays greatest socioenvironmental challenges. Faculty in the Department are highly engaged in these initiatives including The Global Change Center at Virginia Tech and the Center for Emerging Zoonotic and ArthropodBorne Pathogens. Likewise numerous faculty and graduate students are affiliated with crosscampus interdisciplinary graduate education programs housed within these two Centers.

Virginia Techs main campus is located in Blacksburg Virginia nestled in the heart of the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. Blacksburg and its surrounding communities in the New River Valley offer the charm of a small town combined with some of the modern conveniences of a metropolitan area. The thriving region boasts unique restaurants and stores symphonies theaters historical attractions a vibrant nightlife and sporting events. The area has a temperate climate with nationally recognized outdoor recreation activities. Virginia Tech is a short driving distance from a number of state and national forests including the Monongahela Washington and Jefferson national forests as well as the Shenandoah and New River Gorge national parks and nearby Mountain Smith Mountain and Claytor Lakes. The Appalachian Trail and the New River are both within a 20minute drive from campus and the area is surrounded by numerous additional hiking biking climbing fishing hunting and other outdoor recreational opportunities.

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.