Laboratory & Research Specialist

Job Description

The Crop Physiology Lab at Virginia Tech’s Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center (TAREC), in Suffolk, VA, is inviting applications for a Laboratory & Research Specialist position. The successful candidate will serve as the Manager of a multi-state project on faba bean winter production in the Mid-Atlantic region. The project includes areas of breeding, phenomics, genomics, agronomics, economics, food science and engineering.

Successful candidate is expected to be creative, self-motivated and problem-solving, and demonstrate evidence of technical writing. The position requires travel frequently to the testing sites in Virginia and occasionally in North Carolina, Maryland, and Delaware. The position is located at the TAREC in Suffolk, VA, and available for two years, with one year offered initially and renewed thereafter based on the appointee’s performance.

The position can start as soon as Dec 2025.

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

• Must have a Bachelor's degree in agronomy, crop science, or related agricultural field or equivalent education and experience; general knowledge of crop production.
• Ability to work in an agricultural setting during the entire growing season and during adverse weather conditions.
• Experience with field equipment.
• Demonstrated experience to work independently and in a team.
• Demonstrated experience with preparing tables in Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Licensed to operate a motor vehicle.

• Moderate to heavy lifting.
• Must be able to work in the field conditions during the entire growing season.
• Safe driving license.

3

Non-Exempt:
Eligible for overtime

Restricted

$53,000 - $55,000; commensurate with experience

40 hours per week

January 15, 2026

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

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. Maria Balotaat at mbalota during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.