Field Research Specialist

Job Description

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. The employee will manage time and coordinate labor and tasks with supervisors, students, and other staff members to meet the needs of time‑sensitive 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.

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. Experience with, or willingness to learn, pesticide applications using a tractor‑mounted sprayer and other farm equipment.

Require pesticide certification as a registered technician or commercial applicator and Category 10 completed within 6 months of hiring. 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.

Commercial pesticide applicator training and certification, as well as additional safety training, will be required within the first year of employment.

Competency with vineyard machinery, including safe operation of up to 75hp tractors, airblast sprayers, pesticide application, and brush chopper/mowers. Have a VA commercial pesticide license and obtain Cat. 10 within 6 months of hire. Working knowledge of apple, peach, cherry, grape, and other fruit and ornamental crop production practices, including the underlying principles of dormant pruning, nutrition, canopy management goals (summer pruning), crop load management techniques, and effective pest, disease, and weed management.

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 equipment, such as electronic scales, pH meters, and pipets, and safe and proper handling of laboratory chemicals.

3

Non‑Exempt:
Eligible for overtime

Regular

$43,000 - $45,000; commensurate with experience

40

June 15, 2026

Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy. 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 Kevin Rice at rkevin during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.