Assistant/Associate Professor - Ruminant Livestock Systems and Integrated Grazing Mgmt

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

1d•$85,000 - $100,000

About The Position

Virginia Tech’s School of Animal Sciences is hiring a 12-month, tenure-track faculty member with a 60% Extension, 25% Research, and 15% Teaching appointment. The position focuses on integrated ruminant livestock systems, with emphasis on applied Extension programming and stakeholder engagement across Virginia. The faculty member will be headquartered in the School of Animal Sciences and support applied research, Extension, and teaching aligned with the needs of Virginia’s beef and sheep industries. The successful candidate will develop a stakeholder-driven Extension and applied research program focused on profitable and sustainable ruminant livestock production. Areas of emphasis include integrated beef and sheep systems, grazing and forage utilization, animal health, reproductive efficiency, and value-added marketing. The position will strengthen statewide coordination of animal research in collaboration with Virginia Tech Agricultural Research and Extension Centers, including the Southwest Virginia, Shenandoah Valley, Middleburg, and Southern Piedmont ARECs. The role also includes occasional travel to conferences and meetings. The faculty member will develop statewide research and Extension programming addressing priority needs in beef cattle, sheep, forage, and grazing-based production. Potential program topics include animal health, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, production efficiency, environmental stewardship, and economic sustainability. The candidate will collaborate with faculty, Extension professionals, AREC personnel, producers, industry, and other stakeholders; support existing livestock programs; pursue extramural funding; and provide experiential learning and mentoring opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Teaching may include undergraduate and/or graduate courses such as Small Ruminant Management, Livestock Enterprise Management, Livestock Merchandising and Marketing, and experiential or “Study In-Broad” programs. Additional teaching assignments will reflect programmatic needs and the candidate’s expertise. The appointment is available January 5, 2027. The position requires a criminal conviction check.

Requirements

For appointment as Assistant Professor: earned Ph.D. in Animal Science or a closely related field by the appointment start date.
For appointment as Associate Professor: earned Ph.D. in Animal Science or a closely related field.
Demonstrated expertise in beef cattle and/or sheep production systems.
Evidence of effective communication skills.
For Assistant Professor: demonstrated ability or strong potential to develop impactful Extension and applied research programs.
For Associate Professor: established record of impactful Extension and applied research programs supported by peer-reviewed and Extension publications.
For Assistant Professor: commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary programming and stakeholder engagement.
For Associate Professor: demonstrated record of collaborative, interdisciplinary programming and stakeholder engagement, with qualifications consistent with appointment at the Associate Professor rank.

Nice To Haves

For Assistant Professor: experience with integrated grazing systems, stocker cattle systems, or small ruminant production.
For Assistant Professor: experience conducting applied livestock research.
For Assistant Professor: demonstrated potential to secure extramural funding.
For Assistant Professor: experience developing industry partnerships.
For Assistant Professor: experience working directly with producers and Extension clientele.
For Assistant Professor: interest in experiential learning and student mentoring.
For Associate Professor: established expertise in integrated grazing systems, stocker cattle systems, or small ruminant production.
For Associate Professor: a sustained record of securing extramural funding.
For Associate Professor: established industry partnerships.
For Associate Professor: regional or national recognition in Extension or applied livestock research.
For Associate Professor: extensive experience working with producers and Extension clientele.
For Associate Professor: a demonstrated record of providing experiential learning opportunities.
For Associate Professor: a demonstrated record of student mentoring.

Responsibilities

Develop an integrated, statewide research and Extension program in livestock production systems using Virginia’s animals, land resources, facilities, environments, and expertise.
Address priority needs in beef cattle, sheep, forage, and grazing-based production systems, potentially including animal health, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, production efficiency, environmental stewardship, and economic sustainability.
Develop impactful statewide Extension programming for Virginia beef and sheep producers.
Conduct producer education programs, demonstrations, workshops, and field days.
Develop decision-support tools and applied management recommendations for producers.
Support Virginia youth livestock and agricultural education programs, including 4-H and FFA activities.
Build partnerships with industry organizations, producer groups, allied industries, and Extension agents.
Collaborate with faculty, Extension professionals, AREC personnel, producers, industry, and other stakeholders on multidisciplinary research, demonstrations, and education programs.
Support and enhance existing livestock programs where appropriate.
Pursue extramural funding.
Provide experiential learning and mentoring opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.
Coordinate animal research statewide in collaboration with the Southwest Virginia, Shenandoah Valley, Middleburg, and Southern Piedmont ARECs.
Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in relevant livestock areas, with additional assignments based on program needs and candidate expertise.
Travel occasionally to conferences and meetings.