Laboratory and Research Specialist II

Virginia Tech; Hayfield (VA); On-site; USD 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech in Winchester, VA, is seeking a field-based horticulture technician to support viticulture and grape pathology research. The role involves pruning, canopy management, data collection, and coordinating lab tasks.

Requires a BS/BA in horticulture or related field and pesticide certification within 6 months. The position may require weekends and driving to remote locations.

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree in horticulture, plant science, or a related field or practical training and experience in fruit production or similar horticultural field.
• Verbal and writing skills enabling competent communication, reporting, and supervision.
• Competency with or willingness to learn farm machinery and safe operation of up to 75hp tractors and related equipment.

Responsibilities

• Support viticulture and grape pathology research and extension programs.
• Perform seasonal maintenance including pruning and canopy management; data collection and analysis.
• Coordinate labor and tasks with supervisors, students, and staff for time-sensitive tasks.
• Apply registered and experimental pesticides and growth regulators as needed.
• Assist other labs and contribute to center maintenance.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Labor supervision

Farm machinery operation

Education

BS/BA in horticulture or related field

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

Job Description

This position is located at the Alson H. Smith Jr. AgriculturalResearch and Extension Center, in Winchester, Virginia. Positionrequires knowledge of a wide range of field operation and somelaboratory analytical methods to support viticulture and grapepathology programs. Primary responsibilities include providingtechnical support for viticulture and grape pathology research andextension programs. Specific duties may include, but are notlimited to, seasonal maintenance such as dormant pruning, summergrowth management, crop load management and pest, disease, and weedmanagement of grapevines. Responsibilities may also extend to otherfaculty labs, including, enology, entomology, horticulture, andtree fruit pathology crops related to ongoing projects. Additionalduties include selecting experimental units, establishing fieldplots, initiating experiments, applying registered and experimentalpesticides and growth regulators, collecting, recording,tabulating, and analyzing data, and compiling MS Word and Excelfiles. Some work will be done at remote locations. The employeewill be responsible to coordinate labor, time, and tasks withsupervisors, students, and other staff members to meet the needs oftime-sensitive tasks such as, canopy management, treatmentapplications, and data collection for experiments. The employeewill occasionally assist with other disciplines’ projects andcontribute to Center maintenance. The employee will supervise wageemployees in the above tasks or work in tandem with wage employees,other classified staff, and graduate students in a teamenvironment.

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

Required Qualifications

BS/BA degree in horticulture, plant science, or a related sciencefield, or practical training and experience in fruit production ora similar horticultural field. Familiarity with common viticulturalfield and laboratory techniques, knowledge of the safe use oflaboratory and field equipment, and a valid motor vehicleoperator's license. Require pesticide certification as a registeredtechnician or commercial applicator and Category 10 completedwithin 6 months of hiring. Competency with or willing to learn farmmachinery, including safe operation of up to 75hp tractors,airblast sprayers, pesticide application, and brush chopper/mowers.Safe driving and acceptable conviction checks are required of thesuccessful candidate. Verbal and writing skills, which enablecompetent communication, reporting, and supervision to foster aprofessional and academic atmosphere. Demonstrated ability tomanage and supervise oneself, other staff, and physical resources,especially in vineyards or field research settings. Demonstratedability to work independently. Commercial pesticide applicatortraining and certification, as well as additional safety training,will be required within the first year of employment. Must bewilling, on occasion, to work on weekends or beyond regular workhours.

Preferred Qualifications

Have a VA commercial pesticide license and obtain Cat. 10 within 6months of hire. Working knowledge of and hands-on experience withapple, peach, cherry, grape, and other fruit and ornamental cropproduction practices from the relevant growing regions, includingthe underlying principles of dormant pruning, nutrition, canopymanagement goals (summer pruning), crop load management techniques,and effective pest, disease, and weed management. Experience withplant physiology measurements (e.g., water potential, canopydensity, yield estimation, and harvest parameter) and familiaritywith field research settings. Minimum computer competency includesfamiliarity with the PC/Windows operating system and the MS Officesuite (Word and Excel), as well as entering experimental data,documenting trial progress, and presenting basic summary statisticsin tabular form. Willingness to learn and adopt new technologiesand skills for research and daily task management. MS degree inhorticulture or a related plant science field (or 2 years relatedfield/lab experience). Experience with common laboratory equipment,such as electronic scales, pH meters, and pipets, and safe andproper handling of laboratory chemicals.

Pay Band

4

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$46,000 - $56,000; commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

August 30, 2026

Additional Information

Walking, standing, reaching, grasping. Ability to lift up to 40pounds. Must have an acceptable and safe driving record. 8:00 am to4:30pm M-F with occasional weekend work and earlier arrival/laterleaving to accommodate project in progress or weather conditions.Independently conduct remote operations. Requires mandatory30-minute lunch break. Commercial pesticide applicator training andcertification, as well as additional safety training, will berequired within the first year of employment. Require pesticidecertification as a registered technician or commercial applicatorand Category 10 completed within 6 months of hiring.

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 Dr. Mizuho Nita at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior tothe event.