Plant Disease Diagnostician

Job Title: Plant Disease Diagnostician

The School of Plant and Environmental Sciences at Virginia Tech seeks a Laboratory and Research Specialist II to serve as a Plant Disease Diagnostician. The successful candidate will support the plant disease diagnostic and educational efforts in the Virginia Tech Plant Disease Clinic, a member laboratory of the National Plant Diagnostic Network. The incumbent will receive and process samples, conduct diagnostic testing, and provide clear and timely diagnostic recommendations to clients while maintaining accurate records in a diagnostic database.

Responsibilities:

• Process and analyze plant samples for disease diagnosis
• Conduct diagnostic testing using current procedures and implement new procedures as needed
• Provide clear and timely diagnostic recommendations to clients
• Maintain accurate records in a diagnostic database
• Ensure compliance with Environmental, Health, and Safety, NPDN, and regulatory requirements
• Supervise part-time staff
• Develop educational content related to plant problem diagnosis for grower groups, VCE agents, Master Gardeners, and other groups

Requirements:

• Bachelor's of Science degree in plant pathology, plant science, or microbiology, or equivalent training/experience
• Experience with plant diagnostics, classical microbiological techniques, and molecular biology methods
• Public speaking and written communication experience

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 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 colleges, a graduate school, a veterinary medicine college, and a college of engineering. 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 research and extension centers.

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.