visible research program in mammalian conservation ecology. The candidate should have a strong track record studying the conservation and ecology of wild mammal populations, with research addressing contemporary socio-environmental challenges such as climate change, emerging infectious diseases, invasive species, and habitat loss. The Department and the University are highly collaborative environments, creating the opportunity for diverse collaborations across Virginia Tech and with state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, and other partners. The position is envisioned as approximately 25% teaching, 65% research, and 10% service. Teaching and Mentoring Expectations The department boasts a high-quality teaching environment that emphasizes modern pedagogical techniques and ample experiential learning opportunities. Teaching will include a 1:1 teaching expectation, including FIW 4334 Mammalogy, a high-enrollment, field-oriented course central to the Wildlife Conservation curriculum. During the first two years, the faculty member is also expected to develop or contribute to a graduate course in their area of expertise and, as the appointment matures, contribute (e.g., team teach) to general education or other high-demand undergraduate courses. The faculty member will mentor undergraduate researchers and M.S. and Ph. D. students and provide field-based, experiential learning opportunities. Research, Scholarship, Extension, and Engagement Expectations The successful candidate will establish a highly productive, externally funded research program that supports graduate students and produces high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship. Expectations include publishing impactful research in respected peer reviewed journals. The candidate will be expected to apply for McIntire-Stennis (USDA NIFA capacity grant) funding in the first year. The candidate should pursue annual external funding from appropriate federal and state agencies and foundations, including opportunities through NSF, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Defense, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources as well as state wildlife agencies in surrounding states or beyond. Externally-funded research should contribute to science-based wildlife conservation and management and strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations across the department and Virginia Tech.

Required Qualifications

• Ph. D. in wildlife science, ecology, biology, zoology, natural resources, forestry, range management, or a closely related field by appointment start date.
• Demonstrated expertise in mammalogy and mammalian conservation ecology.
• Evidence of potential for excellence in university teaching, field-based instruction, and student mentoring.
• Evidence of strong potential to develop a productive, externally funded research program and peer-reviewed scholarship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postdoctoral or comparable professional research experience.
• Experience with modern quantitative, geospatial, field, laboratory, technological, and/or experimental techniques relevant to mammalian conservation ecology.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, and/or interdisciplinary research teams.
• Experience mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Hours per week

40

Review Date

10/15/2026

Additional Information

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

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 Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

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 Kelsey Lester at kdlester@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

visible research program in mammalian conservation ecology. The candidate should have a strong track record studying the conservation and ecology of wild mammal populations, with research addressing contemporary socio-environmental challenges such as climate change, emerging infectious diseases, invasive species, and habitat loss. The Department and the University are highly collaborative environments, creating the opportunity for diverse collaborations across Virginia Tech and with state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, and other partners. The position is envisioned as approximately 25% teaching, 65% research, and 10% service. Teaching and Mentoring Expectations The department boasts a high-quality teaching environment that emphasizes modern pedagogical techniques and ample experiential learning opportunities. Teaching will include a 1:1 teaching expectation, including FIW 4334 Mammalogy, a high-enrollment, field-oriented course central to the Wildlife Conservation curriculum. During the first two years, the faculty member is also expected to develop or contribute to a graduate course in their area of expertise and, as the appointment matures, contribute (e.g., team teach) to general education or other high-demand undergraduate courses. The faculty member will mentor undergraduate researchers and M.S. and Ph. D. students and provide field-based, experiential learning opportunities. Research, Scholarship, Extension, and Engagement Expectations The successful candidate will establish a highly productive, externally funded research program that supports graduate students and produces high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship. Expectations include publishing impactful research in respected peer reviewed journals. The candidate will be expected to apply for McIntire-Stennis (USDA NIFA capacity grant) funding in the first year. The candidate should pursue annual external funding from appropriate federal and state agencies and foundations, including opportunities through NSF, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Defense, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources as well as state wildlife agencies in surrounding states or beyond. Externally-funded research should contribute to science-based wildlife conservation and management and strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations across the department and Virginia Tech.

Required Qualifications

• Ph. D. in wildlife science, ecology, biology, zoology, natural resources, forestry, range management, or a closely related field by appointment start date.
• Demonstrated expertise in mammalogy and mammalian conservation ecology.
• Evidence of potential for excellence in university teaching, field-based instruction, and student mentoring.
• Evidence of strong potential to develop a productive, externally funded research program and peer-reviewed scholarship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postdoctoral or comparable professional research experience.
• Experience with modern quantitative, geospatial, field, laboratory, technological, and/or experimental techniques relevant to mammalian conservation ecology.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, and/or interdisciplinary research teams.
• Experience mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Hours per week

40

Review Date

10/15/2026

Additional Information

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

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 Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

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 Kelsey Lester at kdlester@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.