Assistant Professor, Life Sciences Communication

Virginia Tech; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Tech Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education invites applications for an academic year tenure-track Assistant Professor in Life Sciences Communication. This is a research and teaching appointment.

The successful candidate will develop curricula for undergraduate and graduate courses, teach in their area of research expertise, and mentor students. Occasional travel is expected.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in agricultural communication, mass communication, mass media, digital media, social media, public relations, international media systems, or a closely related field.
• Ability to direct graduate and undergraduate programs in ALCE.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the campus community.

Responsibilities

• Develop a nationally recognized program of research in life sciences communication.
• Secure external funding to support graduate students and research.
• Mentor and advise undergraduate and graduate students.

Skills

Excellent communication

Diversity and inclusion

Grant funding

Education

Ph.D. in agricultural communication or related field

Job description

Job Description

The Virginia Tech Department of Agricultural, Leadership, andCommunity Education seeks to expand efforts in research andteaching in Life Sciences Communication. The expandinginterconnectedness of society requires models to connect food,health, and the environment with consumers. Communicating keytopics to specific audiences using new media types is critical tothe successful dissemination of life science related informationand research.

The Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education(ALCE) invites applicants for an academic year, tenure-trackfaculty position at the Assistant Professor level, with expertisein Life Sciences Communication. This is a research and and teachingappointment. In addition, the successful candidate will contributeto ALCE as a team member in transforming lives through learning,discovery, and engagement. This position requires occasional travelto attend conferences and meetings.

Position Responsibilities

• Develop a nationally recognized systematic program of research inlife sciences communication.
• Initiate, build and sustain external funding to support graduatestudents and the research program and leverage the existingresource strengths of the department.
• Maintain an active research program through the dissemination ofpeer-reviewed scholarship and/or creative activities.
• Develop curricula and course materials to teach undergraduate andgraduate courses in communication.
• Teach graduate coursework in the successful candidates’ area ofresearch expertise.
• Mentor and advise undergraduate and graduate students.
• Provide guidance to students in areas of scholarship and inquiry,and assist in the completion and publication of studentworks.
• Provide discipline-related service to the university, college,and department.
• Perform as a team member in achieving the goals of the unit, theCollege, and the University.
• International engagement and recognition are encouraged andexpected as your career advances.

Required Qualifications

• A Ph. D. in agricultural communication, mass communication, massmedia, digital media, social media, public relations, internationalmedia systems, or a closely related field by the appointment startdate.
• A capacity for directing graduate and undergraduate academicprograms in Agricultural, Leadership, and CommunityEducation.
• Ability to work with constituents and a student body from diversebackgrounds and demonstrate a commitment to issues of equity,diversity, and inclusion in the campus community.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiencesand across differences.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills as well asexpertise in utilizing technology in communication.

Preferred Qualifications

• A record of successful external funding and scholarship.
• Demonstrated teaching expertise at the graduate and undergraduatelevels.
• Demonstrated discipline-related professional experience.

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

10/12/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminalconviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve),Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking ahands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to beleaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institutionthat enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout theworld, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, andcreativity.

The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverseenrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, andprofessional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presenceacross Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C.area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sitesin Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes . A leading global research institution,Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in researchannually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professionaldevelopment opportunities and university shared governance . These valuablecontributions to university shared governance provide importantrepresentation and perspective, along with opportunities for uniqueand impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, orapplicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (includingpregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, geneticinformation, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation,race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, orotherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquireabout, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensationof other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protectedby law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire anaccommodation, please contact Karen Barnhart at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10business days prior to the event.