Laboratory and Research Specialist II

Job Description

This position is located at the Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center, in Winchester, Virginia. Position requires knowledge of a wide range of field operation and some laboratory analytical methods to support viticulture and grape pathology programs. Primary responsibilities include providing technical support for viticulture and grape pathology research and extension programs. Specific duties may include, but are not limited to, seasonal maintenance such as dormant pruning, summer growth management, crop load management and pest, disease, and weed management of grapevines.

Responsibilities may also extend to other faculty labs, including, enology, entomology, horticulture, and tree fruit pathology crops related to ongoing projects. Additional duties include selecting experimental units, establishing field plots, initiating experiments, applying registered and experimental pesticides and growth regulators, collecting, recording, tabulating, and analyzing data, and compiling MS Word and Excel files. Some work will be done at remote locations.

The employee will be responsible to coordinate labor, time, and tasks with supervisors, students, and other staff members to meet the needs of time-sensitive tasks such as, canopy management, treatment applications, and data collection for experiments. The employee will occasionally assist with other disciplines’ projects and contribute to Center maintenance. The employee will supervise wage employees in the above tasks or work in tandem with wage employees, other classified staff, and graduate students in a team environment.

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

BS/BA degree in horticulture, plant science, or a related science field, or practical training and experience in fruit production or a similar horticultural field. Familiarity with common viticultural field and laboratory techniques, knowledge of the safe use of laboratory and field equipment, and a valid motor vehicle operator's license. Require pesticide certification as a registered technician or commercial applicator and Category 10 completed within 6 months of hiring.

Competency with or willing to learn farm machinery, including safe operation of up to 75hp tractors, airblast sprayers, pesticide application, and brush chopper/mowers. Safe driving and acceptable conviction checks are required of the successful candidate. Verbal and writing skills, which enable competent communication, reporting, and supervision to foster a professional and academic atmosphere. Demonstrated ability to manage and supervise oneself, other staff, and physical resources, especially in vineyards or field research settings.

Demonstrated ability to work independently. Commercial pesticide applicator training and certification, as well as additional safety training, will be required within the first year of employment. Must be willing, on occasion, to work on weekends or beyond regular work hours.

Have a VA commercial pesticide license and obtain Cat. 10 within 6 months of hire. Working knowledge of and hands‑on experience with apple, peach, cherry, grape, and other fruit and ornamental crop production practices from the relevant growing regions, including the underlying principles of dormant pruning, nutrition, canopy management goals (summer pruning), crop load management techniques, and effective pest, disease, and weed management.

Experience with plant physiology measurements (e.g., water potential, canopy density, yield estimation, and harvest parameter) and familiarity with field research settings. Minimum computer competency includes familiarity with the PC/Windows operating system and the MS Office suite (Word and Excel), as well as entering experimental data, documenting trial progress, and presenting basic summary statistics in tabular form. Willingness to learn and adopt new technologies and skills for research and daily task management.

MS degree in horticulture or a related plant science field (or 2 years related field/lab experience). Experience with common laboratory…