Agricultural Technician I

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Winchester (VA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Virginia Tech in Winchester, VA seeks a wage personnel Agricultural Technician to support horticulture research at the AHS Jr. AREC. You will work on tissue culture, plant propagation, and fruit quality assessments through hands-on lab and field activities.

The role involves collaborative work with graduate students and staff, with duties spanning molecular biology techniques and data record keeping, while adhering to safety and procedural standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in general biology, plant science, tissue culture, or related laboratory work.
• Computer literacy with MS Word, Excel, email, and internet applications.
• A valid driver's license and access to personal transportation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare media for tissue culture, in vitro propagation, and genetic transformation experiments.
• Collect, sterilize, and culture plant tissues under sterile conditions.
• Assist with experiments related to in vitro propagation, gene editing, and transformation.
• Provide full care for plants and plantlets grown in vitro or under greenhouse conditions.
• Assist in basic molecular biology experiments, including PCR, qRT-PCR, gel documentation, and nucleic acid quantification.
• Maintain accurate records of experiments, plant materials, media preparation, autoclave logs, and outputs.
• Assist in a broad range of field and laboratory experiments, including sample collection and evaluation of fruit quality parameters.
• Collaborate with graduate students, field technicians, and other personnel on research initiatives.

Skills

Biology experience

Tissue culture

Molecular biology

Lab analyses

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in plant biology or related field

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Email & Internet apps

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking a wage personnel Agricultural Technician at Virginia Tech's AHS Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center, located in Winchester, Virginia. Join the dynamic horticulture research team at the AHS Jr. AREC and play a critical role in supporting innovative research through hands-on field and laboratory work, with a focus on the development and management of fruit tree research plots.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare media for tissue culture, in vitro propagation, and genetic transformation experiments.
• Collect, sterilize, and culture plant tissues under sterile conditions.
• Assist with experiments related to in vitro propagation, gene editing, and transformation.
• Provide full care for plants and plantlets grown in vitro or under greenhouse conditions.
• Assist in and independently perform basic molecular biology experiments, including PCR, qRT-PCR, gel documentation, and nucleic acid quantification.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records of experiments, plant materials, media preparation, autoclave logs, and experimental outputs.
• Assist in a broad range of field and laboratory experiments as needed, including sample collection from the field and laboratory evaluation of fruit quality parameters.
• Collaborate with graduate students, field technicians, and other personnel on research initiatives.

This position will not exceed 1,500 hours within the payment year.

Required Qualifications

• Direct or related experience in general biology, plant science, tissue culture, molecular biology, or laboratory analyses in a wage or similar capacity.
• Computer literacy, particularly with MS Word, Excel, email, and internet applications.
• A valid driver's license and access to personal transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in plant biology or a related field, with practical experience in tissue culture, molecular biology, or relevant laboratory skills.
• Experience in data management and supervision.

Pay Band

3

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with Experience

Hours per week

Approximately 29 hours per week/1500 hours per year

Review Date

11/6/2026

Additional Information

Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy.

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. Sherif Sherifat [e-mail] regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.