Laboratory and Research Specialist II

Virginia Tech; Winchester (VA); Hybrid; USD 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech seeks a technical support specialist at the Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Winchester, VA.

The role covers viticulture and grape pathology research, including field maintenance, data collection, and coordinating labor across sessions. Responsibilities include scheduling treatments, assisting with lab and field tasks, and compiling data. Some work may occur remotely; candidates must hold pesticide certification and be willing to obtain Cat.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in horticulture, plant science, or related field, or practical training/experience in fruit production.
• Familiarity with viticultural field and lab techniques; valid driver's license.
• Pesticide certification required within 6 months; Category 10 within 6 months.
• Ability to operate farm machinery up to 75hp; safe operation of tractors and sprayers.
• Strong verbal and written communication; ability to supervise and report clearly.
• Ability to work independently and coordinate with staff and students.
• Willingness to obtain additional safety training within first year of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for viticulture and grape pathology research and extension programs.
• Coordinate labor, time, and tasks with supervisors, students, and staff for time-sensitive tasks.
• Inspect and maintain field plots; collect data and prepare MS Word/Excel reports.
• Assist with other disciplines' projects at the Center; supervise wage employees as needed.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Pesticide certification

Driver's license

Farm machinery operation

Supervision

Independent work

Team coordination

Education

BS/BA in horticulture or related field

MS in horticulture or related field

Tools

MS Office (Word; Excel)

Electronic scales

pH meters

Pipets

Pesticide application equipment

Job description

Job Description

This position is located at the Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center, in Winchester, Virginia. Position requires knowledge of a wide range of field operation and some laboratory analytical methods to support viticulture and grape pathology programs. Primary responsibilities include providing technical support for viticulture and grape pathology research and extension programs. Specific duties may include, but are not limited to, seasonal maintenance such as dormant pruning, summer growth management, crop load management and pest, disease, and weed management of grapevines. Responsibilities may also extend to other faculty labs, including, enology, entomology, horticulture, and tree fruit pathology crops related to ongoing projects. Additional duties include selecting experimental units, establishing field plots, initiating experiments, applying registered and experimental pesticides and growth regulators, collecting, recording, tabulating, and analyzing data, and compiling MS Word and Excel files. Some work will be done at remote locations. The employee will be responsible to coordinate labor, time, and tasks with supervisors, students, and other staff members to meet the needs of time-sensitive tasks such as, canopy management, treatment applications, and data collection for experiments. The employee will occasionally assist with other disciplines’ projects and contribute to Center maintenance. The employee will supervise wage employees in the above tasks or work in tandem with wage employees, other classified staff, and graduate students in a team environment.

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

Required Qualifications

BS/BA degree in horticulture, plant science, or a related science field, or practical training and experience in fruit production or a similar horticultural field. Familiarity with common viticultural field and laboratory techniques, knowledge of the safe use of laboratory and field equipment, and a valid motor vehicle operator's license. Require pesticide certification as a registered technician or commercial applicator and Category 10 completed within 6 months of hiring. Competency with or willing to learn farm machinery, 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 the successful candidate. Verbal and writing skills, which enable competent communication, reporting, and supervision to foster a professional and academic atmosphere. Demonstrated ability to manage and supervise oneself, other staff, and physical resources, especially in vineyards or field research settings. Demonstrated ability to work independently. Commercial pesticide applicator training and certification, as well as additional safety training, will be required within the first year of employment. Must be willing, on occasion, to work on weekends or beyond regular work hours.

Preferred Qualifications

Have a VA commercial pesticide license and obtain Cat. 10 within 6 months of hire. Working knowledge of and hands‑on experience with apple, peach, cherry, grape, and other fruit and ornamental crop production practices from the relevant growing regions, including the underlying principles of dormant pruning, nutrition, canopy management goals (summer pruning), crop load management techniques, and effective pest, disease, and weed management. Experience with plant physiology measurements (e.g., water potential, canopy density, yield estimation, and harvest parameter) and familiarity with field research settings. Minimum computer competency includes familiarity with the PC/Windows operating system and the MS Office suite (Word and Excel), as well as entering experimental data, documenting trial progress, and presenting basic summary statistics in tabular form. Willingness to learn and adopt new technologies and skills for research and daily task management. MS degree in horticulture or a related plant science field (or 2 years related field/lab experience). Experience with common laboratory equipment, such as electronic scales, pH meters, and pipets, and safe and proper 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 40 pounds. Must have an acceptable and safe driving record. 8:00 am to 4:30pm M-F with occasional weekend work and earlier arrival/later leaving to accommodate project in progress or weather conditions. Independently conduct remote operations. Requires mandatory 30-minute lunch break. Commercial pesticide applicator training and certification, as well as additional safety training, will be required within the first year of employment. Require pesticide certification as a registered technician or commercial applicator and Category 10 completed within 6 months of hiring.

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.

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If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Dr. Mizuho Nitaat [e-mail] regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.