Postdoctoral Assoc/Research Asst Prof-Muscle Growth Biology

Job Description

The School of Animal Sciences at Virginia Tech invites applications
for a Postdoctoral Associate / Research Assistant Professor
position in Muscle Growth Biology. The position will be located in
Blacksburg, Virginia. Appointment level will be commensurate with
the successful candidate's qualifications, experience, and record
of scholarly accomplishment.

The successful candidate will contribute to and develop a
productive research program focused broadly on skeletal muscle
biology and animal growth. Areas of research may include, but are
not limited to, hormonal, cellular, molecular, metabolic,
physiological, and/or genetic mechanisms regulating whole-body
growth, skeletal muscle growth and development, muscle metabolism,
and the biological processes influencing meat production and
quality.

The individual will work collaboratively with faculty in the School
of Animal Sciences while developing an increasingly independent
program of scholarship. Responsibilities will include designing and
conducting research, analyzing and interpreting data, preparing
manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication, presenting research at
scientific meetings, and contributing to the development of
competitive extramural research proposals. The successful candidate
will be encouraged to develop new research directions and
collaborations that complement and expand existing strengths in
animal growth and muscle biology at Virginia Tech.

The position will provide opportunities to mentor undergraduate and
graduate students and to contribute to the training of other
research personnel. Depending upon appointment level and
experience, the individual may also contribute to graduate and/or
undergraduate instruction in muscle biology, animal growth, or
related areas.

Candidates appointed at the Postdoctoral Associate level will be
expected to demonstrate strong potential for research productivity
and to develop increasing scientific and grant-writing
independence. The position is intended to provide advanced research
training and professional development that prepares the individual
for an independent academic, government, or industry research
career.

Candidates appointed at the Research Assistant Professor level will
be expected to demonstrate a more established record of scholarship
and greater research independence, including evidence of successful
proposal development and the potential to develop an extramurally
funded research program. Research Assistant Professors will be
expected to assume greater responsibility for developing research
initiatives, pursuing external funding, mentoring students and
research personnel, and building collaborative research
relationships within and beyond Virginia Tech.

The successful candidate will be expected to interact effectively
with faculty, students, industry partners, and other stakeholders
and to contribute to a collaborative research environment.
Opportunities will also exist to engage with the meat and livestock
industries, participate in outreach activities, and develop
national and international research collaborations.

Appointment Expectations

Appointment as a Postdoctoral Associate or Research Assistant
Professor will be determined based on the candidate's experience,
scholarly productivity, research independence, and demonstrated
potential for securing extramural support. The position is designed
to provide opportunities for continued professional development and
increasing research independence within Virginia Tech's meat
science and muscle biology program.

To apply: Please submit a cover letter describing your interests
and relevant background and your CV. Applications will be reviewed
on a rolling basis with a priority deadline of October 30, 2026.
Contact for questions: David Gerrard, dgerrard@vt.edu.

Required Qualifications

Required Qualifications for Research Assistant Professor:

1. Ph.D. in Animal Science, Biology, Physiology, Biochemistry,
Molecular Biology, or a closely related discipline by the
appointment start date.

2. Demonstrated ability to conduct rigorous scientific research and
analyze and interpret experimental data.

3. Ability and willingness to work collaboratively in
multidisciplinary research environments.

4. Interest in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and
contributing to the research and educational missions of the School
of Animal Sciences.

5. Effective communication skills.

6. Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication appropriate to
career stage.

Required Qualifications for Postdoctoral Associate:

1. Ph.D. in Animal Science, Biology, Physiology, Biochemistry,
Molecular Biology, or a closely related discipline. PhD must be
awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of
appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.

2. Record of peer-reviewed publications or evidence of scholarly
productivity

3. Excellent communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications for Research Assistant Professor:

1. Demonstrated experience with cellular, molecular, physiological,
genetic, genomic, metabolic, biochemical, or other contemporary
approaches applicable to skeletal muscle biology and meat
science.

2. Experience preparing or contributing to competitive extramural
research proposals.

3. Demonstrated evidence of interdisciplinary or collaborative
research.

4. Demonstrated experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate
researchers.

5. Experience with national and international research
collaborations.

6. Potential to contribute to graduate and undergraduate
instruction in meat science, muscle biology, animal growth, or
related disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications for Postdoctoral Associate:

1. Strong record of peer-reviewed publication appropriate to career
stage.

2. Experience with cellular, molecular, physiological, genetic,
genomic, metabolic, biochemical, or other contemporary approaches
applicable to skeletal muscle biology and meat science.

3. Experience contributing to competitive extramural research
proposals.

4. Evidence of interdisciplinary or collaborative research.

5. Interest in developing national and international research
collaborations.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

53,550-65,029 (PostDoc); 65,000-75,000 (Research Asst. Prof.)

Hours per week

40

Review Date

10/30/2026

Additional Information

To apply: Please submit a cover letter describing your interests
and relevant background and your CV. Applications will be reviewed
on a rolling basis with a priority deadline of October 30, 2026.
Contact for questions: David Gerrard, dgerrard@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 Dr. David Gerrard at dgerrard@vt.edu during regular
business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.