Postdoctoral Assoc/Research Asst Prof-Muscle Growth Biology

Virginia Tech • Blacksburg, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The School of Animal Sciences at Virginia Tech is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate / Research Assistant Professor to join their Muscle Growth Biology program in Blacksburg, Virginia. The appointment level will be determined by the candidate's qualifications, experience, and scholarly achievements. This role will focus on developing and contributing to a robust research program centered on skeletal muscle biology and animal growth. Research may encompass hormonal, cellular, molecular, metabolic, physiological, and genetic mechanisms that regulate whole-body growth, skeletal muscle development, muscle metabolism, and factors influencing meat production and quality. The individual will collaborate with faculty in the School of Animal Sciences while fostering an increasingly independent research program. Responsibilities include research design and execution, data analysis and interpretation, manuscript preparation for publication, presentation of findings at scientific meetings, and contributing to grant proposals. The position encourages the development of new research directions and collaborations to enhance existing strengths in animal growth and muscle biology at Virginia Tech. Opportunities for mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, as well as training other research personnel, will be provided. Depending on the appointment level and experience, there may be opportunities to contribute to graduate and/or undergraduate instruction in relevant fields. Postdoctoral Associates are expected to show strong research potential and develop independence in scientific inquiry and grant writing, with the position serving as advanced research training for future academic, government, or industry careers. Research Assistant Professors are expected to have a more established scholarly record and greater research independence, including successful proposal development and the potential to secure extramural funding. They will take on more responsibility for research initiatives, external funding acquisition, mentoring, and building collaborations. Effective interaction with faculty, students, industry partners, and stakeholders is expected, along with contributions to a collaborative research environment. Engagement with the meat and livestock industries, outreach activities, and national/international research collaborations are also opportunities within this role.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Animal Science, Biology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a closely related discipline by the appointment start date (for Research Assistant Professor)
• Demonstrated ability to conduct rigorous scientific research and analyze and interpret experimental data (for Research Assistant Professor)
• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary research environments (for Research Assistant Professor)
• Interest in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and contributing to the research and educational missions of the School of Animal Sciences (for Research Assistant Professor)
• Effective communication skills (for Research Assistant Professor)
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication appropriate to career stage (for Research Assistant Professor)
• Ph.D. in Animal Science, Biology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or a closely related discipline (for Postdoctoral Associate)
• PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining (for Postdoctoral Associate)
• Record of peer-reviewed publications or evidence of scholarly productivity (for Postdoctoral Associate)
• Excellent communication skills (for Postdoctoral Associate)

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience with cellular, molecular, physiological, genetic, genomic, metabolic, biochemical, or other contemporary approaches applicable to skeletal muscle biology and meat science (for Research Assistant Professor)
• Experience preparing or contributing to competitive extramural research proposals (for Research Assistant Professor)
• Demonstrated evidence of interdisciplinary or collaborative research (for Research Assistant Professor)
• Demonstrated experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate researchers (for Research Assistant Professor)
• Experience with national and international research collaborations (for Research Assistant Professor)
• Potential to contribute to graduate and undergraduate instruction in meat science, muscle biology, animal growth, or related disciplines (for Research Assistant Professor)
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publication appropriate to career stage (for Postdoctoral Associate)
• Experience with cellular, molecular, physiological, genetic, genomic, metabolic, biochemical, or other contemporary approaches applicable to skeletal muscle biology and meat science (for Postdoctoral Associate)
• Experience contributing to competitive extramural research proposals (for Postdoctoral Associate)
• Evidence of interdisciplinary or collaborative research (for Postdoctoral Associate)
• Interest in developing national and international research collaborations (for Postdoctoral Associate)

Responsibilities

• Designing and conducting research
• Analyzing and interpreting data
• Preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication
• Presenting research at scientific meetings
• Contributing to the development of competitive extramural research proposals
• Developing new research directions and collaborations
• Mentoring undergraduate and graduate students
• Training other research personnel
• Contributing to graduate and/or undergraduate instruction (depending on appointment level and experience)
• Assuming greater responsibility for developing research initiatives, pursuing external funding, mentoring students and research personnel, and building collaborative research relationships (for Research Assistant Professor)
• Interacting effectively with faculty, students, industry partners, and other stakeholders
• Contributing to a collaborative research environment
• Engaging with the meat and livestock industries
• Participating in outreach activities
• Developing national and international research collaborations

Benefits

• Professional development opportunities
• University shared governance participation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree