Assistant Professor - Enology

State of Virginia • Winchester, VA

373d • $85,000 - $100,000

About The Position

Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is seeking applicants for a tenure-track position in enology to be located at the Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center near Winchester, Virginia. This is an Assistant Professor position with equal appointments in research (50%) and extension (50%) and a tenure home in the Food Science and Technology Department at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. The position is an academic year (9-month) appointment. The successful candidate will develop a nationally recognized, externally funded research and extension program principally focused on wine grapes and wine production, but with opportunities to conduct apple cider and small fruit research as funding and partnerships are developed. The successful candidate will be expected to recruit and mentor graduate students and engage with Virginia Cooperative Extension Agents and other Extension Specialists to deliver research-based, broadly accessible, inclusive extension materials that address the relevant needs of Virginia's grape and wine industries. The Enologist position is one of six full-time faculty at the AREC; other positions include a viticulturist, a tree fruit horticulturist, a tree fruit pathologist, a grape pathologist, and an entomologist. The AREC has modern labs for physiological, molecular, and fruit analyses, greenhouses, controlled environment chambers, and a 120-acre research farm including a vineyard.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in food science, enology, fermentation science and technology, viticulture, horticulture, or related field by appointment start date.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing field or laboratory research.
• Record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Ability to effectively communicate Extension materials to a diverse stakeholder audience.
• Criminal conviction check is mandatory prior to start date.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience with wine grape and wine production.
• Experience in grapevine physiology.
• Analytic quantification of flavor/aroma metabolites.
• One or more years of postdoctoral training/experience in a relevant field.
• Evidence of successful grantsmanship.
• Demonstrated ability to be an effective supervisor or team leader.

Responsibilities

• Develop a nationally recognized, externally funded research and extension program focused on wine grapes and wine production.
• Recruit and mentor graduate students.
• Engage with Virginia Cooperative Extension Agents and other Extension Specialists.
• Deliver research-based, inclusive extension materials.
• Collaborate with grape breeders and grape breeding programs.
• Develop real-time, nondestructive means of evaluating vine health.
• Understand the impact of diseases on fruit and wine quality.
• Determine the impact of viticultural practices on flavor, aroma, and health-promoting properties of grapes.
• Secure extramural funding and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Participate in professional societies and contribute to departmental service.
• Develop educational opportunities for stakeholders and Extension agents.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Opportunities for professional development and networking.
• Access to modern research facilities and resources.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees