Postdoctoral Associate

Job Description

Candidate will be responsible for performing research and extension-based activities, and developing and coordinating efforts on the SCRI Scientific Challenges and Cost-Effective Management of Risks Associated with Implementation of Produce Safety Regulations (CONTACT), which is a produce safety grant within Dr. Strawn’s program. The primary responsibility of this position will be to assist Dr. Strawn in Extension programming (e.g., on-farm safety, FSMA courses, extension related to CONTACT grant: webinar series, podcasts, surveys); as well as, conduct research projects associated with CONTACT (including projects on agricultural water treatment, pre-harvest management practices, postharvest water management, and environmental monitoring programs). Candidates should be able to order equipment and supplies, design sampling and microbiological protocols, conduct field sampling excursions, detect and isolate pathogens using wide variety of cultural and molecular methods, perform isolate characterization, analyze data in various statistical platforms like R, write peer-reviewed manuscripts, and communicate results through abstracts and presentations. Projects will incorporate a range of experimental, informatics, and theoretical/computational approaches. Supervision and interaction with graduate and undergraduate students working on CONTACT projects is also expected. Additionally, the candidate will also have opportunities to practice and hone grantsmanship skills.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in Food Science or related field. Must have experience, a strong knowledge and background in food safety and data analysis. Additionally, the successful candidate will have experience working with Extension agents and delivering food safety related content to the public. The individual must have strong oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience managing undergraduates, and conducting produce safety research. Experience writing both peer reviewed manuscripts and extension publications. Know how to run statistical analysis using R (or other stats platform), and accurately interpret data output. Organized individual who thrives in a team dynamic.

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with Experience

Review Date

06/21/2021

Additional Information

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 the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

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, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran 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. Laura Strawn at lstrawn@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: June 2, 2021
Applications close: