Assistant Professor - Food Traceability

Job Description

The Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is seeking applicants for a tenure track faculty position in Food Traceability as part of its Phase II SmartFarm Innovation Network™ faculty cluster hire. Phase II includes a total of seven (7) faculty positions to be filled within several academic units and Agricultural Research and Extension Centers. Collaborations of cluster hires and existing faculty will enhance interdisciplinary flagship programs at the nexus of digital, biological, social, and physical sciences and engineering with application to agriculture, food, and natural resources. The cluster hire will be affiliated with the Center for Advanced Innovation in Agriculture for enhancing the interdisciplinary networking. This ambitious vision will create a statewide network of interconnected faculty, partners, and resources for scientific discovery and developing and deploying and extending new technologies. The goal is to increase overall efficiency, resiliency, sustainability, and economic value of food, agriculture production systems, and natural resources and expand Virginia Tech’s global influence in this rapidly evolving domain.

The Food Traceability position will be located at the Virginia Seafood Agricultural Research and Extension Center (VSAREC), ( https://www.arec.vaes.vt.edu/arec/virginia-seafood.html) , Hampton, Virginia, with tenure home in the Department of Food Science and Technology Department of Food Science & Technology at the Virginia Tech main campus in Blacksburg. This is a 9-month tenure-track position with a joint Research and Extension appointment.

The successful candidate shall develop and establish a nationally and internationally recognized integrated research and extension program in Food Traceability, focusing on development and implementation of rapid detection/traceability and big data management across agricultural commodity sectors; with an emphasis on fisheries, aquaculture, and their products. The Extension program will focus on assisting agriculture producers, processors, wholesalers, distributors, and retail establishments to improve traceability and regulatory compliance of their products. Furthermore, outreach and educational programs will be developed and conducted for producers, educators, processors, consumers, regulatory agencies and other decision makers. The individual will be expected to obtain extramural funding from a variety of funding sources with emphasis on competitive and industry funding. Potential areas of research may include (but are not limited to) Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, blockchain, bio-based sensors and markers, and smartphone-based analysis.

The individual is expected to contribute to graduate education. Qualified candidates will demonstrate the ability to recruit and mentor graduate (M.S. and Ph.D.) and undergraduate students, and be committed to service on AREC, department, college and university committees, as well as appropriate professional organizations.

This position is part of the CALS SmartFarm Innovation Network Initiative Cluster, and aligns with the Global Systems Science as well as the Data and Decisions, and Sustainable Food Production destination areas of Virginia Tech and the agricultural profitability and environmental sustainability areas of CALS. Collaborations/linkages with faculty located in various departments on the main campus in Blacksburg and with a number of Agricultural Research and Extension Centers located across the Commonwealth are highly encouraged. Position requires occasional travel to attend conferences and meetings.

In addition to the online application, required application materials include: 1) letter of application summarizing qualifications relevant to the position description, 2) curriculum vitae, including a complete list of publications with citations, 3) research and extension interests, goals and vision, and 4) full contact information for four professional references.

All inquiries concerning this position should be directed to the VSAREC Director, Dr. Michael Schwarz, mschwarz@vt.edu . Review of applications will begin on November 22, 2021 and will continue until a suitable candidate is selected.

Required Qualifications

A Ph.D., or post Doc experience in the fields of Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Food Science, Food Engineering, Biological Systems Engineering, or related field. The candidate must have excellent oral and written communication skills, demonstrated ability for, and commitment to, quality graduate student education, demonstrated publication record, and demonstrated ability to develop and conduct scholarly research, both independently and collaboratively. The individual shall create an environment that fosters collegiality and diversity with appropriate stakeholders and the university.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in Food Traceability is desirable. Additional experience in food supply chains, tracking and ID of fresh/processed/packaged products is also desirable. Demonstrated experience with industry outreach, extension, or education and evidence of extramural funding are also desirable.

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Commensurate with Qualifications

Review Date

November 22, 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 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. Michael Schwarz at mschwarz@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: October 19, 2021
Applications close: February 7, 2022 Eastern Standard Time