Assistant/Associate Professor - Ruminant Livestock Systems and Integrated Grazing Mgmt

Job Description

The School of Animal Sciences at Virginia Tech invites applications
for a 12-month, tenure-track (60% Extension, 25% Research, 15%
Teaching) faculty position focused on integrated ruminant livestock
systems with an emphasis on applied Extension programming and
stakeholder engagement across Virginia. This position will be
headquartered within the School of Animal Sciences and will help
support applied research, Extension programming, and teaching
activities aligned with the needs of the Commonwealth’s beef and
sheep industries. The successful candidate will develop an
innovative, stakeholder-driven Extension and applied research
program focused on profitable, sustainable ruminant livestock
production systems. The position will emphasize integrated beef and
sheep systems, grazing and forage utilization, animal health,
reproductive efficiency, and value-added marketing strategies for
commercial producers. The position is intended to strengthen
Virginia Tech’s leadership presence and statewide identity in
ruminant livestock systems while building impactful, regionally
relevant programming that supports Virginia producers. The faculty
member will work collaboratively with School of Animal Sciences
faculty, Virginia Cooperative Extension personnel, research station
staff, and regional industry stakeholders to strengthen Virginia’s
beef and sheep industries through applied programming and
translational research. The candidate will work directly with the
Virginia Tech Agricultural Research and Extension Centers (ARECs)
to provide statewide coordination of animal research. Specifically,
the successful candidate will work closely with the Southwest
Virginia AREC, the Shenandoah Valley AREC, the Middleburg AREC and
the Southern Piedmont AREC to support existing and future work.
This position requires occasional travel to attend conferences and
meetings.

Primary Responsibilities (60% Extension, 25% Research)

The successful candidate will develop an integrated, statewide
research and Extension program in livestock production systems that
leverages the diverse animals, land resources, facilities,
environments, and expertise available across Virginia’s
Agricultural Research and Extension Center system. The program will
address priority needs in beef cattle, sheep, forage, and
grazing-based production systems, with potential emphasis on animal
health, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, production efficiency,
environmental stewardship, and economic sustainability. The
candidate will collaborate with faculty, Extension professionals,
AREC personnel, producers, industry, and other stakeholders to
develop multidisciplinary research, demonstration, and educational
programs; support and enhance existing livestock programs where
appropriate; pursue extramural funding; and provide experiential
learning and mentoring opportunities for graduate and undergraduate
students.

Extension and Stakeholder Engagement

The successful candidate will:

• Develop impactful statewide Extension programming supporting

Virginia beef and sheep producers.

• Conduct producer education programs, demonstrations, workshops,

and field days.

• Develop decision-support tools and applied management

recommendations for producers.

• Support Virginia youth livestock and agricultural education

programs, including 4-H and FFA activities.

• Build strong partnerships with industry organizations, producer

groups, allied industries, and Extension agents.

Teaching Responsibilities (15%)

Teaching responsibilities may include undergraduate and/or graduate
instruction in areas such as: Small Ruminant Management, Livestock
Enterprise Management, Livestock Merchandising and Marketing,
Experiential or “Study In-Broad” programs designed to expose
students to diverse agricultural systems and strengthen industry
networking opportunities. Additional teaching assignments will be
based on programmatic needs and candidate expertise.

SALARY: Commensurate with education and experience. Virginia Tech
offers a comprehensive benefits package.

DATE AVAILABLE: January 5, 2027

APPLICATIONS: Deadline for applications is November 8, 2026, or
until the position is filled. Candidates must submit online
(https://www.jobs.vt.edu) a cover letter summarizing their
qualifications and interest in the position, curriculum vitae, a
copy of graduate transcripts, a statement of research interests
(2-page maximum), a statement of teaching and extension philosophy
(2-page maximum), and the contact information for at least three
professional references. Questions can be addressed to:

Dr. Rodrigo Marques

School of Animal Sciences

3150 Litton-Reaves

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA 24061-0306

marques@vt.edu

406-581-6063

Required Qualifications

Required Qualifications for Assistant Professor:

• Earned Ph.D. in Animal Science or a closely related field by

appointment start date.

• Demonstrated expertise in beef cattle and/or sheep production

systems.

• Evidence of effective communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability or strong potential to develop impactful

Extension and applied research programs.

• Commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary programming.
• Commitment to stakeholder engagement.

Required Qualifications for Associate Professor:

• Earned Ph.D. in Animal Science or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in beef cattle and/or sheep production

systems.

• Evidence of effective communication skills.
• Established record of impactful Extension and applied research

programs supported by peer-reviewed and Extension
publications.

• Demonstrated record of collaborative, interdisciplinary

programming.

• Demonstrated record of stakeholder engagement.
• Qualifications consistent with appointment at the rank of

Associate Professor.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications for Assistant Professor:

• Experience with integrated grazing systems, stocker cattle

systems, or small ruminant production.

• Experience conducting applied livestock research.
• Demonstrated potential to secure extramural funding.
• Experience developing industry partnerships.
• Experience working directly with producers and Extension

clientele.

• Interest in experiential learning and student mentoring.

Preferred Qualifications for Associate Professor:

• Established expertise in integrated grazing systems, stocker

cattle systems, or small ruminant production.

• A sustained record of securing extramural funding.
• Established industry partnerships.
• Regional or national recognition in Extension or applied

livestock research.

• Extensive experience working with producers and Extension

clientele.

• A demonstrated record of providing experiential learning

opportunities.

• A demonstrated record of student mentoring.

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

11/08/2026

Additional Information

Deadline for applications is November 8, 2026, or until the
position is filled. Candidates must submit online
(https://www.jobs.vt.edu) a cover letter summarizing their
qualifications and interest in the position, curriculum vitae, a
copy of graduate transcripts, a statement of research interests
(2-page maximum), a statement of teaching and extension philosophy
(2-page maximum), and the contact information for at least three
professional references. Questions can be addressed to:

Dr. Rodrigo Marques

School of Animal Sciences

3150 Litton-Reaves

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA 24061-0306

marques@vt.edu

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 Rodrigo da Silva Marques at marques@vt.edu during regular business
hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.