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

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

23d

About The Position

The School of Animal Sciences at Virginia Tech seeks a 12-month, tenure-track faculty member focused on integrated ruminant livestock systems, with an emphasis on applied Extension programming and stakeholder engagement across Virginia. The position is based in the School of Animal Sciences and supports applied research, Extension programming, and teaching serving the Commonwealth’s beef and sheep industries. The appointment is allocated 60% Extension, 25% Research, and 15% Teaching. The successful candidate will develop an innovative, 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 role will help strengthen Virginia Tech’s statewide presence in ruminant livestock systems and create regionally relevant programming for Virginia producers. The faculty member will collaborate with School of Animal Sciences faculty, Virginia Cooperative Extension personnel, research station staff, regional industry stakeholders, and producers. They will work with the Southwest Virginia, Shenandoah Valley, Middleburg, and Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Centers (ARECs) to coordinate statewide animal research and support existing and future work. The position requires occasional travel for conferences and meetings. The successful candidate will develop a statewide research and Extension program that uses the diverse animals, land resources, facilities, environments, and expertise across Virginia’s AREC system. The program will 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. The candidate will collaborate on multidisciplinary research, demonstrations, and educational programs; support existing livestock programs where appropriate; pursue external funding; and provide experiential learning and mentoring for graduate and undergraduate students. Extension activities include producer education, demonstrations, workshops, field days, decision-support tools, management recommendations, and support for youth livestock and agricultural education programs, including 4-H and FFA. Teaching may include undergraduate or graduate instruction in Small Ruminant Management, Livestock Enterprise Management, Livestock Merchandising and Marketing, and experiential or “Study In-Broad” programs. Other teaching assignments will reflect program needs and candidate expertise. The appointment is available January 5, 2027. Salary is $85,000–$100,000, commensurate with experience. The position is exempt from overtime and is listed as a regular appointment. Applicants are to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, graduate transcripts, research-interest statement (maximum two pages), teaching and Extension philosophy statement (maximum two pages), and contact information for at least three professional references. A criminal conviction check is required.

Requirements

For Assistant Professor: Earned Ph.D. in Animal Science or a closely related field by the appointment start date.
For 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.
Commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary programming; for Associate Professor, a demonstrated record of such programming.
Commitment to stakeholder engagement; for Associate Professor, a demonstrated record of stakeholder engagement.
For Associate Professor: Qualifications consistent with appointment at the rank of Associate Professor.

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: 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: Demonstrated record of providing experiential learning opportunities.
For Associate Professor: Demonstrated record of student mentoring.

Responsibilities

Develop an integrated, statewide research and Extension program in livestock production systems using the resources and expertise of Virginia’s AREC system.
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 supporting 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 educational programs.
Support and enhance existing livestock programs where appropriate.
Pursue extramural funding.
Provide experiential learning and mentoring opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.
Coordinate statewide animal research in collaboration with the Southwest Virginia, Shenandoah Valley, Middleburg, and Southern Piedmont ARECs.
Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in relevant livestock and agricultural areas.
Travel occasionally to conferences and meetings.