Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, or Research Professor

Job Description

The Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and Technology at Virginia Tech is a University level research center that reports to the Vice President of Research and Innovation. Its mission is to cultivate the next generation of national security leaders by developing and executing curricular, extracurricular, and research opportunities to engage students. Renown academic and research faculty from DOD, IC and industry have converged with guidance from an illustrious Board of Advisors constituted by former Directors of NRO and NGA, S&T heads from CIA and NSA, NCTC, etc. One of the fastest growing research centers at VT, sponsors and collaborators benefit from both highly experienced student talent and senior technical leadership that address some of our nation’s greatest security challenges. The Hume team conducts research contracts for the IC, DoD, DHS and Industry. Execution of scope, schedule and cost is complimented by a team of project and program managers. Transition of high impact technology deliverables is effected directly by staff personnel, through industry partnerships and/or numerous individual startups. Restricted research is conducted at state of art facilities in Arlington, VA and a new 45,000 sf building in Blacksburg, VA.

Motivated applicants are sought to join as Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, or Research Professor to support rapid growth in our body of programs in resilient C4ISR Missions, Signals Intelligence & Cyber Operations and Autonomy and Orchestration. Rank will be determined based upon experience and credentials. The selected candidates can expect highly competitive salary and benefits in a university setting. This position serves as a research staff member of the Hume Center, within one of its three research laboratories: Aerospace Systems Laboratory, Information Systems Laboratory, or Electronic Systems Laboratory. These labs host a range of dynamic research projects and the successful applicant will have the ability to contribute to these programs, lead the development of new programs, and mentor students engaged in these programs.

Specific responsibilities include the following: (1) support the execution of university sponsored programs by conducting research and development; (2) author technical documents and publish peer-reviewed academic papers; (3) support the development of new funded research programs by participating in and proposal teams and supporting the business development activities of the Hume Center; (4) mentor students engaged in experiential learning programs; (5) advise graduate students pursuing advanced degrees; and (6) occasionally teach courses.

For positions within the Electronic Systems Laboratory, individuals with expertise in digital communications, wireless systems, and radar platforms are sought. Successful applicants will have experience with digital signal processing and software-defined radio technologies, with applications in military radar, tactical/public safety communications, electronic warfare, and/or satellite communications.

For data-focused positions within the Information Systems Laboratory, individuals with experience in statistics, data science, computer science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, optimization, and cyber analytics are sought. Successful applicants will have experience applying these tools to a range of data problems, such as time-series analysis, statistical forecasting and inference, and detection/classification.

For cyber-focused positions within the Information Systems Laboratory, individuals with experience in cybersecurity, hardware/software reverse engineering, provably secure computing, and security for embedded/industrial/control systems and networks are sought. Successful applicants will have a mixture of theoretical foundations in areas such as the theory of computing, formal methods, or cryptography; paired with hands-on experience working with real-world security issues.

For positions within the Aerospace and Ocean Systems Laboratory, individuals with experience in satellite systems, autonomous control, space domain awareness, physics-based modeling, undersea system and platform, and system optimization and orchestration are sought. The successful applicant will have technical expertise in designing, building, testing, and flying experimental spacecraft.

Required Qualifications

-Given the nature of the research conducted and requirement from the federal sponsor, candidates must be a U.S. Citizen and the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
- An earned Doctorate degree in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Science, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, Ocean Engineering, Physics, Statistics or related discipline;
- Evidence of high potential for excellence in research and development as demonstrated through academic study or experience;
- Scholarship and funding credentials that support the rank of either research assistant professor, research associate professor, or research professor;
- Demonstrated mastery of ones’ field of study through publication of relevant research in peer-reviewed academic venues appropriate to the discipline;
- Proficiency with the tools germane to field of research; and
- Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team in executing upon research projects.

Preferred Qualifications

- Active security clearance at the TS/SCI level;
- Experience writing grant and contract proposals;
- Experience serving as principal investigator on research grants and contracts;
- Interest and/or experience in working effectively with a diverse faculty, staff and student population; and
- Experience conducting research programs supporting defense and intelligence sponsors.

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

Review Date

November 23, 2020 and until multiple positions are filled.

Additional Information

This recruitment is filling multiple positions and based on the qualifications of the candidates, offer of research faculty may be either research assistant professor, research associate professor, or research professor.

Work location may be either Blacksburg, VA or in the Virginia Tech Research Center in Arlington, VA.

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 veteran 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 Sue Kass at sjkass@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: October 16, 2020
Applications close: