Samuels Endowed Chair in Animal Nutrition

Virginia Tech invites applications for the Winston and Marilyn Samuels Endowed Chair in Animal Nutrition, a distinguished faculty position created to advance transformative research and graduate education in animal nutrition, metabolism, and livestock health. This prestigious appointment offers a unique opportunity for an accomplished scholar to shape the future of animal nutrition research at a leading land-grant university. The Samuels Chair will serve as both a scientific leader and program architect, building an internationally recognized research program that addresses critical challenges in livestock nutrition, animal health, and sustainable food production. The successful candidate will also play a central role in advancing a university-wide initiative in nutrition and metabolic biology, fostering collaboration across disciplines including animal science, veterinary medicine, engineering, data science, and the life sciences. Through this position, Virginia Tech seeks to recruit a visionary scholar whose work drives discovery at the interface of biology, technology, and sustainability—generating innovative solutions that enhance livestock production systems and improve the nutritional quality of animal-derived foods with downstream impacts on human health. Key Responsibilities: Lead a globally recognized research program in animal nutrition and metabolism, integrating fundamental biological discovery with translational applications that improve animal health, productivity, and sustainability. Secure and sustain extramural funding to support a high-impact, innovative research portfolio. Mentor graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and early-career faculty, fostering a collaborative and supportive research environment. Contribute to graduate education, including teaching a graduate-level course aligned with their expertise and providing intellectual leadership in curriculum and program development. Build interdisciplinary collaborations across Virginia Tech and with external partners in academia, industry, and government. Advance institutional research initiatives in animal nutrition and metabolic biology, helping position Virginia Tech as a global leader in this space. Areas of Research Focus: Nutritional regulation of growth, reproduction, lactation, and metabolic efficiency; Nutritional biochemistry and metabolic physiology; Gut health and microbiome–host interactions (particularly in monogastric species); Precision nutrition and systems-based approaches to nutrient utilization; Nutrition-based strategies aligned with “food-as-medicine” concepts; Sustainable nutrition solutions that enhance environmental stewardship in livestock systems. This is a research appointment, with expectations for high-impact scholarship and sustained productivity. Research Environment: Virginia Tech offers an exceptional and collaborative environment for animal nutrition and metabolic biology research, including: Extensive livestock research herds and modern experimental facilities on the Blacksburg campus; Access to additional infrastructure through Agricultural Research and Extension Centers across Virginia; Advanced analytical platforms supporting metabolomics, systems biology, and molecular physiology; Strong interdisciplinary partnerships across engineering, veterinary medicine, agriculture, and biomedical sciences; A vibrant and engaged community of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. The Samuels Chair will have a significant opportunity to shape new research directions and build strategic collaborations that strengthen Virginia Tech’s leadership in animal agriculture and food systems. This is a full-time, 9-month academic appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor in the School of Animal Sciences. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Virginia Tech offers a comprehensive benefits package. Required Qualifications: A Ph.D. in Animal Science, Nutrition, Physiology, or a closely related discipline; A distinguished record of nationally and internationally recognized scholarship; Demonstrated success in securing sustained extramural research funding; A strong record of mentoring graduate students and trainees; Evidence of leadership in developing innovative, high-impact research programs; Demonstrated ability to build and sustain multidisciplinary collaborations. Preferred Qualifications: Experience leading large, interdisciplinary research initiatives; Demonstrated impact on advancing sustainable livestock systems or food systems innovation; Interest in mentoring junior faculty and contributing to program development.