Research Associate

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VT); Virginia (IL); On-site; USD 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech's School of Plant and Environmental Sciences seeks a Research Associate to lead applied research in controlled environment agriculture, overseeing industry-sponsored trials in greenhouse, hydroponics, lighting, and automation at the Danville, Virginia site.

The successful candidate will develop testing protocols, collect and analyze data, prepare technical reports, and contribute to scholarly outputs, including publications and extension materials, helping build a sustainable

Qualifications

• Master's degree in horticulture, plant science, crop science, CEA, agricultural engineering or closely related field.
• Experience with greenhouse, hydroponic, or indoor vertical farm research.
• Experience with experimental design, data collection, and data management.
• Ability to analyze and interpret research data; strong technical writing and communication.
• Ability to work independently and with a multidisciplinary team; capable of physical tasks in lab/greenhouse.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation and management of applied research and industry-sponsored trials.
• Develop testing protocols, conduct research, and collect and analyze data.
• Prepare technical reports and disseminate findings; contribute to peer-reviewed outputs.
• Support cooperative extension programming with educational materials.

Skills

Experimental design

Data collection

Data management

Statistical analysis

Scientific writing

Independent work

Team collaboration

Technical communication

Education

Master's degree in related field

Tools

R

Job description

Job Description

The School of Plant and Environmental Sciences (SPES) at Virginia Tech seeks a Research Associate to support the Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Innovation Center, a partnership between Virginia Tech and the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) located in Danville, Virginia.

The primary work location is Danville, Virginia. This position is supported through the funded project sponsored by the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, Meeting the Need of the CEA Industry Through Testing Services and Educational Material Development (2026–2028), and will play a key role in expanding research, testing services, educational programming, and technology adoption within the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) industry.

The Research Associate will lead the implementation and management of applied research as well as projects in industry-sponsored trials with greenhouse, indoor vertical farm, hydroponic, lighting, automation, environmental control, and agricultural technology companies to evaluate products, technologies, and production practices. The incumbent will collaborate with industry partners, faculty, graduate students, and research staff to develop testing protocols, conduct research, collect and analyze data, develop technical reports, and communicate findings. In addition to overseeing industry-sponsored trials, the Research Associate will contribute to scholarly outputs, including peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, and will support Virginia Cooperative Extension programming through the development of educational materials, such as factsheets. A long-term goal of this position is to help establish a sustainable testing service program that supports the continued growth of the regional and national CEA industry.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Horticulture, Plant Science, Crop Science, Controlled Environment Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Biological Systems Engineering, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
• Experience conducting agricultural, horticultural, greenhouse, hydroponic, or indoor vertical farm research.
• Experience with experimental design, data collection, and data management.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret research data.
• Strong technical writing, scientific communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to work in greenhouse and indoor agricultural environments and perform routine physical tasks associated with crop production and research activities.
• Ability to traverse uneven terrain and walk, stand, stoop, and bend for long periods.
• Ability to lift, move, and carry equipment at or above 25 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Some experience conducting research in microbiology, plant pathology, or a related field.
• Experience working directly with agricultural producers, industry stakeholders, or commercial partners.
• Experience with statistical analysis and graphing software, such as R.
• Record of contributing to peer-reviewed publications.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

57,783 - 65,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

09/07/2026

Additional Information

The primary work location is Danville, Virginia.

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 officesandresearch 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. Kaylee Southat [e-mail] regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.