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

Job Description

The School of Animal Sciences at Virginia Tech invites applications for a 12-month, tenure-track (60% Extension, 25% Research, 15% Teaching) faculty position focused on integrated ruminant livestock systems with an emphasis on applied Extension programming and stakeholder engagement across Virginia. This position will be headquartered within the School of Animal Sciences and will help support applied research, Extension programming, and teaching activities aligned with the needs of the Commonwealth's beef and sheep industries. The successful candidate will develop an innovative, stakeholder-driven Extension and applied research program focused on profitable, sustainable ruminant livestock production systems. The position will emphasize integrated beef and sheep systems, grazing and forage utilization, animal health, reproductive efficiency, and value-added marketing strategies for commercial producers. The position is intended to strengthen Virginia Tech's leadership presence and statewide identity in ruminant livestock systems while building impactful, regionally relevant programming that supports Virginia producers. The faculty member will work collaboratively with School of Animal Sciences faculty, Virginia Cooperative Extension personnel, research station staff, and regional industry stakeholders to strengthen Virginia's beef and sheep industries through applied programming and translational research. The candidate will work directly with the Virginia Tech Agricultural Research and Extension Centers (ARECs) to provide statewide coordination of animal research. Specifically, the successful candidate will work closely with the Southwest Virginia AREC, the Shenandoah Valley AREC, the Middleburg AREC and the Southern Piedmont AREC to support existing and future work. This position requires occasional travel to attend conferences and meetings.

Primary Responsibilities (60% Extension, 25% Research)

The successful candidate will develop an integrated, statewide research and Extension program in livestock production systems that leverages the diverse animals, land resources, facilities, environments, and expertise available across Virginia's Agricultural Research and Extension Center system. The program will address priority needs in beef cattle, sheep, forage, and grazing-based production systems, with potential emphasis on animal health, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, production efficiency, environmental stewardship, and economic sustainability. The candidate will collaborate with faculty, Extension professionals, AREC personnel, producers, industry, and other stakeholders to develop multidisciplinary research, demonstration, and educational programs; support and enhance existing livestock programs where appropriate; pursue extramural funding; and provide experiential learning and mentoring opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.

Extension and Stakeholder Engagement

The successful candidate will:

• 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 strong partnerships with industry organizations, producer groups, allied industries, and Extension agents.

Teaching Responsibilities (15%)

Teaching responsibilities may include undergraduate and/or graduate instruction in areas such as: Small Ruminant Management, Livestock Enterprise Management, Livestock Merchandising and Marketing, Experiential or "Study In-Broad" programs designed to expose students to diverse agricultural systems and strengthen industry networking opportunities. Additional teaching assignments will be based on programmatic needs and candidate expertise.

SALARY: Commensurate with education and experience. Virginia Tech offers a comprehensive benefits package.

DATE AVAILABLE: January 5, 2027

APPLICATIONS: Deadline for applications is November 8, 2026, or until the position is filled. Candidates must submit online (https://www.jobs.vt.edu) a cover letter summarizing their qualifications and interest in the position, curriculum vitae, a copy of graduate transcripts, a statement of research interests (2-page maximum), a statement of teaching and extension philosophy (2-page maximum), and the contact information for at least three professional references. Questions can be addressed to:

Dr. Rodrigo Marques

School of Animal Sciences

3150 Litton-Reaves

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA 24061-0306

marques@vt.edu

406-581-6063

Required Qualifications

Required Qualifications for Assistant Professor:

• Earned Ph.D. in Animal Science or a closely related field by appointment start date.
• Demonstrated expertise in beef cattle and/or sheep production systems.
• Evidence of effective communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability or strong potential to develop impactful Extension and applied research programs.
• Commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary programming.
• Commitment to stakeholder engagement.

Required Qualifications 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.
• Established record of impactful Extension and applied research programs supported by peer-reviewed and Extension publications.
• Demonstrated record of collaborative, interdisciplinary programming.
• Demonstrated record of stakeholder engagement.
• Qualifications consistent with appointment at the rank of Associate Professor.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications for Assistant Professor:

• Experience with integrated grazing systems, stocker cattle systems, or small ruminant production.
• Experience conducting applied livestock research.
• Demonstrated potential to secure extramural funding.
• Experience developing industry partnerships.
• Experience working directly with producers and Extension clientele.
• Interest in experiential learning and student mentoring.

Preferred Qualifications for Associate Professor:

• Established expertise in integrated grazing systems, stocker cattle systems, or small ruminant production.
• A sustained record of securing extramural funding.
• Established industry partnerships.
• Regional or national recognition in Extension or applied livestock research.
• Extensive experience working with producers and Extension clientele.
• A demonstrated record of providing experiential learning opportunities.
• A demonstrated record of student mentoring.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$85,000 - $100,000; commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

11/08/2026

Additional Information

Deadline for applications is November 8, 2026, or until the position is filled. Candidates must submit online (https://www.jobs.vt.edu) a cover letter summarizing their qualifications and interest in the position, curriculum vitae, a copy of graduate transcripts, a statement of research interests (2-page maximum), a statement of teaching and extension philosophy (2-page maximum), and the contact information for at least three professional references. Questions can be addressed to:

Dr. Rodrigo Marques

School of Animal Sciences

3150 Litton-Reaves

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA 24061-0306

marques@vt.edu

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 Rodrigo da Silva Marques at marques@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.