- Agency
- Virginia Tech
- Location
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Job Category
- Faculty Appointments, Full Time Positions
- Last Date to Apply
- December 1, 2019 or until filled
- Website
- https://entojobs.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/79/2019/10/Virginia-Tech-Hampton-Roads-Insect-Ecologist-Anticipated.pdf
- Description
- The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-track position at the level of Assistant Professor in the areas of invasive and emerging insect biology and integrated pest management (IPM). This is a key position with a 50% research and 50% Extension appointment in the new Smart Farm Innovation Network (SFIN) cluster at Virginia Tech. The successful candidate will be a faculty member in the Department of Entomology on the main campus (https://www.ento.vt.edu/index.html), and reside full-time at the Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC, https://www.arec.vaes.vt.edu/arec/hampton-roads.html) in Virginia Beach, near major ports of entry for Eastern United States. Responsibilities: The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally-recognized, externally-funded research program on invasive and emerging insect pests impacting the nursery, greenhouse/floriculture, landscape, and turfgrass industries. Areas of particular interest include, but are not limited to: insect ecology, biological control, population genetics, plant-insect interactions, and vectors of plant pathogens that are linked to the development of IPM strategies/tactics. The selected candidate will serve as a member of a team of scientists pursuing a systems approach to sustainable ornamental and turfgrass health, production and maintenance. The selected candidate will also be expected to actively interact with faculty of the SFIN cluster as well as others at the university. The incumbent will be expected to work with other Extension specialists and agents throughout the Commonwealth to plan, conduct, and evaluate educational programs on insect pest biology and management for the nursery, greenhouse/floriculture, landscape, and turfgrass industries in the state. This Extension entomologist will serve clientele statewide through applied research, updating the Pest Management Guides (https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/456/456-017/456-017.html), information delivery, and development and use of appropriate training/teaching materials. Increased urbanization and the shipment of nursery stock and sod across the United States as well as from abroad has led to the increased spread of invasive species. Additionally, close proximity to dense human populations places severe constraints on management practices (i.e., insecticide use). These and other emerging constraints and challenges offer great opportunities for an enthusiastic entomologist to develop a productive professional career through discovering, producing, and implementing novel pest management approaches. Preference will be given to individuals with an established track record in invasive and emerging insect research and a demonstrated ability to secure extramural funding and publish in peer-reviewed, high-quality journals. The incumbent is expected to mentor graduate students.
- Qualifications
- Required Qualifications: • PhD in entomology or a closely related discipline • Experience in applied entomology • Knowledge and experience in the planning, design, implementation and evaluation of field experiments and educational programming related to pest management • An ability to work with diverse audiences, to communicate effectively (both oral and written), and to function effectively as a team member or leader.
- Job Number
- 135
- Contact Person
- Chuan Hong, Search Committee Chair
- Contact Phone
- 757-363-3908
- Contact eMail
- chhong2@vt.edu