Assistant/Associate Professor of Turfgrass Science

About the Role

Virginia Tech's School of Plant and Environmental Sciences seeks applicants for a 9-month, tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank in Turfgrass Science. The role involves developing a nationally recognized research and Extension program to support Virginia’s turfgrass industries, including golf course management, sports field management, sod production, and professional lawn care.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop a productive, externally funded research program that advances turfgrass science through improved management strategies.
• Provide statewide Extension leadership by delivering timely, science-based information to address real-world challenges faced by turfgrass professionals.
• Collaborate with Virginia Tech faculty, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Agricultural Research and Extension Centers (ARECs), and statewide turfgrass industry partners to develop Extension publications, digital tools, and decision-support materials.
• Present at stakeholder and Extension organized meetings.
• Advise graduate students.
• Contribute to the broader scholarly mission of the School.
• Contribute to the School’s teaching mission at a level consistent with a 10% teaching appointment, which may include:
• Collaborating to strengthen existing turfgrass courses.
• Developing shared course modules (e.g., integrated turfgrass pest management, turfgrass water use).
• Guest lecturing.
• Mentoring students.
• Leading a full course by mutual agreement with the School.

Research Priorities

Research priorities should meet stakeholder-identified needs across the Commonwealth. Potential focus areas include:

• Water-use efficiency and irrigation scheduling, water quality.
• Adaptation of warm- and cool-season grasses to environmental conditions.
• Modeling the distribution and spread dynamics of turfgrass pests (diseases, weeds, insects, arthropods).
• Autonomous and GPS-guided equipment, or other labor-saving and input-reducing technologies and management strategies.
• Energy transitions, including evaluation of gas-powered vs. electric equipment.
• Economic evaluation of turfgrass management practices and adoption of new technologies.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Ph.D. in Turfgrass Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Sciences, Environmental Science, Entomology, or a closely related field.
• Strong potential for impactful, externally funded research and Extension programming.
• Developing publication record (peer-reviewed journal articles and Extension materials).
• Effective communication skills.
• Ability to engage diverse stakeholder groups.
• A substantial applied research component with findings delivered to turfgrass stakeholders and readily usable in management practice.
• Capacity to work cooperatively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to travel within Virginia and elsewhere as required for Extension programming.
• Criminal conviction check required.

Qualifications for Associate Professor Appointment

In addition to the above, candidates for the Associate Professor rank must demonstrate:

• A sustained record of peer-reviewed publications and Extension materials.
• A history of competitive external funding as principal investigator or equivalent.
• Evidence of statewide or national Extension leadership.
• A documented program of applied research that has been delivered to and adopted by stakeholders.
• A record of graduate student mentoring.
• Collaborative work with industry, agencies, and professional associations commensurate with rank.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in one or more of the stakeholder-identified priority areas.
• Experience collaborating with industry partners, government agencies, or professional associations.
• Background in field-based research and problem-solving with end users.