Assistant/Associate Professor of Turfgrass Science

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

1d•$85,000 - $100,000

About The Position

The School of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Virginia Tech seeks a tenure-track faculty member at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank in Turfgrass Science. The successful candidate will develop a nationally recognized research and Extension program supporting Virginia’s turfgrass industries, including golf course management, sports field management, sod production, and professional lawn care. Research priorities should respond to stakeholder-identified needs throughout Virginia and may address turfgrass adaptation and management, including water-use efficiency and irrigation scheduling, water quality, adaptation of warm- and cool-season grasses, modeling the spread and distribution of pests, labor-saving and input-reducing technologies, energy transitions in equipment, and economic evaluation of management practices and new technologies. The position includes developing a productive, externally funded applied research program and providing statewide Extension leadership through timely, science-based information for turfgrass professionals. The candidate will collaborate with Virginia Tech faculty, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Agricultural Research and Extension Centers, and industry partners to develop publications, digital tools, and decision-support materials. Responsibilities also include presenting at stakeholder and Extension meetings, advising graduate students, and contributing to the School’s scholarly mission. The candidate will contribute to teaching at a level consistent with a 10% teaching appointment. Activities may include strengthening existing turfgrass courses, developing shared course modules, guest lecturing, and mentoring students. Leading a full course may be possible by mutual agreement with the School. The appointment is for nine months, is regular, and carries a salary of $85,000–$100,000. The position is exempt from overtime and requires 40 hours per week. The successful candidate must complete a criminal conviction check.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Turfgrass Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Sciences, Environmental Science, Entomology, or a closely related field.
Strong potential for impactful, externally funded research and Extension programming.
A developing record of peer-reviewed journal articles and Extension materials (Assistant Professor qualifications).
Effective communication skills and ability to engage diverse stakeholder groups.
Research program must include a substantial applied component, with findings delivered to turfgrass stakeholders and readily usable in management practice.
Ability to work cooperatively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to travel within Virginia and elsewhere as required to support Extension programming.
For Associate Professor appointment: sustained record of peer-reviewed publications and Extension materials; history of competitive external funding as principal investigator or equivalent; evidence of statewide or national Extension leadership; documented applied research delivered to and adopted by stakeholders; graduate student mentoring; and collaborative work with industry, agencies, and professional associations commensurate with rank.
Successful candidate must complete a criminal conviction check.

Nice To Haves

Expertise in one or more stakeholder-identified priority areas in turfgrass science and management.
Experience collaborating with industry partners, government agencies, or professional associations.
Background in field-based research and problem-solving with end users.

Responsibilities

Develop a nationally recognized research and Extension program supporting Virginia’s diverse turfgrass industries.
Establish a productive, externally funded research program that advances turfgrass science through improved management strategies.
Conduct applied research responsive to stakeholder-identified needs and deliver findings in usable forms to turfgrass stakeholders.
Provide statewide Extension leadership and deliver timely, science-based information addressing challenges faced by turfgrass professionals.
Collaborate with Virginia Tech faculty, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Agricultural Research and Extension Centers, and statewide turfgrass industry partners.
Develop Extension publications, digital tools, and decision-support materials.
Present at stakeholder and Extension-organized meetings.
Advise graduate students.
Contribute to the School’s broader scholarly mission.
Contribute to teaching consistent with a 10% teaching appointment, potentially by strengthening courses, developing shared modules, guest lecturing, and mentoring students.
Travel within Virginia and elsewhere as required to support Extension programming.