Small Fruits Field & Lab Aide

Virginia Tech; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

Virginia Tech in Hampton is seeking a part-time field assistant to support the Hampton Roads Agriculture Research and Extension Center. The role involves working with strawberry and blackberry plots, collecting data in the field and lab, and helping with planting, maintenance, and harvesting.

You will mark plots, apply fertilizer, transplant, mow, prune, and set row covers; enter measurements in Excel and assist with sample analyses.

Qualifications

• Basic computer skills and an interest in plant sciences.
• Ability to work outside in the field, in all weather conditions.
• Prior field, lab, or greenhouse experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with maintenance of agricultural research plots and laboratory analysis.
• Set up research trials including marking plots, bed making, fertilization, and transplanting (10%).
• Maintain plots by mowing, pruning, and setting row covers (20%).
• Harvest berries in the field (40%).
• Collect field and lab data: plant health ratings, canopy readings, fruit sugar content, size and firmness (20%).
• Enter data in MS Excel (10%).

Skills

Basic computer skills

Interest in plant sciences

Outdoor field work

Excel data entry

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

Job Description

This position is located at the Hampton Roads Agriculture Research and Extension Center. The position assists faculty, staff, and graduate students with the maintenance of agricultural research plots and laboratory analysis. Job responsibilities include working with strawberry and blackberry production. Specific duties include setting up research trials including marking research plots, bed making, fertilizer application, transplanting (10% of the time); plot maintenance such as mowing, pruning, helping with setting row covers (20%); harvesting berries in the field (40%); data collection in the field and lab. which includes taking plant health ratings, plant canopy readings, measuring fruit sugar content, fruit size and fruit firmness (20%); and data entry in MS Excel (10%).

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

Required Qualifications

Basic computer skills. Interest in plant sciences and ability to work outside in the field, regardless of the weather.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior field, lab and/or greenhouse experience.

Pay Band

1

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$16 per hour

Hours per week

Approximately 29 hours per week/1500 hours per year.

Review Date

Review date begins September 13, 2026; open until filled

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 Dr Jayesh Samtani at [e-mail] regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.