Postdoctoral Associate in Agricultural Ecology
Postdoctoral Associate in Agricultural Ecology
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1 Vacancy
Job Description
Job Description
An interdisciplinary team at Virginia Tech is seeking a postdoctoral 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 highquality fruit for the growing craft cider industry which represents an important valueadded market in Virginia that connects growers directly to consumers. We will combine onfarm case studies across Virginia ecological experiments in our research orchard at Virginia Tech and surveybased socioeconomic research to understand how fruit quality is shaped by the orchard agroecosystem and perceived by both consumers and cidermakers. The postdoc will have their primary home in the Whitehead Lab () with extensive collaboration and comentorship from the Igwe Lab () and Larochelle Lab (
The postdoc 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 nontechnical 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 systemslevel interdisciplinary research.
This is a twoyear position dependent on anticipated funding with a start date negotiable between JuneAug 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 skillset including programming/data analysis in R
Experience with DNA extractions PCR amplicon sequencing and bioinformatics pipelines for microbial community ecology
Experience with socioeconomic 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 twoyear position dependent on anticipated funding with a start date negotiable between JuneAug 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 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 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 Dreama Priceat during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Required Experience:
IC
Employment Type
Full Time
