Assistant Professor, Life Sciences Communication

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech invites applications for an academic-year, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Life Sciences Communication. This research and teaching appointment seeks a scholar who will contribute to ALCE's mission and engage in interdisciplinary work.

The successful candidate will develop curricula, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor students, and pursue external funding while collaborating with colleagues. Occasional travel to conferences is expected.

Qualifications

• A PhD in agricultural communication, mass communication, mass media, digital media, social media, public relations, international media systems, or a closely related field by the appointment start date.
• Ability to direct graduate and undergraduate academic programs in Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education.
• Ability to work with constituents and a student body from diverse backgrounds and demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the campus community.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and across differences.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as expertise in utilizing technology in communication.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Oral and written communication

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Education

PhD in agricultural communication or related field

Job description

Job Description

The Virginia Tech Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education seeks to expand efforts in research and teaching in Life Sciences Communication. The expanding interconnectedness of society requires models to connect food, health, and the environment with consumers. Communicating key topics to specific audiences using new media types is critical to the successful dissemination of life science related information and research.

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

Position Responsibilities

• Develop a nationally recognized systematic program of research in life sciences communication.
• Initiate, build and sustain external funding to support graduate students and the research program and leverage the existing resource strengths of the department.
• Maintain an active research program through the dissemination of peer-reviewed scholarship and/or creative activities.
• Develop curricula and course materials to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in communication.
• Teach graduate coursework in the successful candidates’ area of research 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 student works.
• Provide discipline-related service to the university, college, and department.
• Perform as a team member in achieving the goals of the unit, the College, and the University.
• International engagement and recognition are encouraged and expected as your career advances.

Required Qualifications

• A Ph. D. in agricultural communication, mass communication, mass media, digital media, social media, public relations, international media systems, or a closely related field by the appointment start date.
• A capacity for directing graduate and undergraduate academic programs in Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education.
• Ability to work with constituents and a student body from diverse backgrounds and demonstrate a commitment to issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the campus community.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and across differences.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as expertise in utilizing technology in communication.

Preferred Qualifications

• A record of successful external funding and scholarship.
• Demonstrated teaching expertise at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
• 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 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 Karen Barnhart at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.