Assistant/Associate Professor of Turfgrass Science

Job Description

The School of Plant and Environmental Sciences (School) at Virginia Tech seeks applicants for a 9-month, tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank in Turfgrass Science. The successful candidate will develop a nationally recognized research and Extension program that supports Virginia’s diverse turfgrass industries, including golf course management, sports field management, sod production, and professional lawn care.

Research priorities should be designed to meet stakeholder-identified needs across the Commonwealth. The successful candidate may focus on any relevant area of turfgrass adaptation and management, including but not limited to:

• Water-use efficiency and irrigation scheduling, water quality
• Adaptation of warm- and cool-season grasses to environmental conditions
• Modeling the distribution and spread dynamics of turfgrass pests, including diseases, weeds, insects, and other arthropods
• Autonomous and GPS-guided equipment, or other labor-saving and input-reducing technologies and management strategies
• Energy transitions, including evaluation of gas-powered vs. electric equipment
• Economic evaluation of turfgrass management practices and adoption of new technologies

The successful candidate is expected to develop a productive, externally funded research program that advances turfgrass science through improved management strategies. The position also includes statewide Extension leadership through the delivery of timely, science-based information that addresses real-world challenges faced by turfgrass professionals. Collaboration with Virginia Tech faculty, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Agricultural Research and Extension Centers (ARECs), and statewide turfgrass industry partners will support the development of Extension publications, digital tools, and decision-support materials. Additional responsibilities include presenting at stakeholder and Extension organized meetings, advising graduate students, and contributing to the broader scholarly mission of the School.

The candidate will contribute to the School’s teaching mission at a level consistent with a 10% teaching appointment. This may include collaborating with colleagues to strengthen existing turfgrass courses, developing shared course modules (for example, integrated turfgrass pest management or turfgrass water use), guest lecturing, and mentoring students. Candidates who wish to lead a full course may do so by mutual agreement with the School.

Required Qualifications

The successful candidate must hold a Ph.D. in Turfgrass Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Sciences, Environmental Science, Entomology, or a closely related field. Candidates should demonstrate strong potential for impactful, externally funded research and Extension programming; a developing publication record (peer-reviewed journal articles and Extension materials); effective communication skills; and the ability to engage diverse stakeholder groups. The research program must include a substantial applied component, with findings delivered to turfgrass stakeholders and readily usable in management practice. The position also requires the capacity to work cooperatively as part of a multidisciplinary team and travel within Virginia and elsewhere as required to support Extension programming.

Additional Qualifications for Associate Professor

Appointment at the Associate Professor rank requires a demonstrated record of success including a sustained record of peer-reviewed publications and Extension materials; a history of competitive external funding as principal investigator or equivalent; evidence of statewide or national Extension leadership; and a documented program of applied research that has been delivered to and adopted by stakeholders. Candidates must also show a record of graduate student mentoring and collaborative work with industry, agencies, and professional associations commensurate with rank.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include expertise in one or more stakeholder-identified priority areas described above. Candidates with experience collaborating with industry partners, government agencies, or professional associations, and those with a background in field-based research and problem-solving with end users, will be especially competitive.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

85,000-100,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

12/04/2026 (Open until filled)

Additional Information

Application packets should include:

1. A formal cover letter summarizing qualifications,
2. a statement describing Teaching and Research philosophy (2-pg max),
3. a statement describing Extension philosophy (2-pg. max).
4. a current curriculum vitae, and
5. the names and contact information of three professional references who can assess the applicant’s qualifications for this position.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Dr. David McCall at dsmccall@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.