Dr. Ifju had been a faculty member at Virginia Tech for 37 years (from 1964 to 2001) and 22 years (from 1979 to 2001) as the Department Head of Wood science and Forest Products. He helped develop the department as one of the top wood science programs in North America. He is past president of the Forest Products Society and the Society of Wood Science and Technology. His special interest is in wood science education and research.

Also, He was previously Editor of Wood and Fiber Science