Research Associate / Senior Research Associate

Job Description

The Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering at Virginia Tech invites applications for either a Research Associate or Senior Research Associate position effective January 2021. We seek candidates who are committed to a culture of excellence and inclusion, will support the conduct of innovative and scholarly research, and interact with graduate and undergraduate students. The successful candidate will join an endowed department comprising 37 faculty members, 200 graduate students, and 600 undergraduate students. The candidate will contribute to the department’s existing collaborations with the Center for Space Science and Engineering Research, or Space@VT (www.space.vt.edu), the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (www.ictas.vt.edu) and the Hume Center for National Security and Technology (www.hume.vt.edu).

This is a research and development position based in Blacksburg, Virginia and is part of Space@VT. Space@VT brings together researchers from electrical and computer engineering, aerospace and ocean engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, computer science, AI/ML, and other fields to develop interdisciplinary solutions to cutting-edge technological challenges in platforms, including satellites, UAVs, UUVs, and drone swarms involving hardware, algorithms, sensor networks and phenomenologies, and more. Successful candidates for this position will have relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: avionics, small satellites, hypersonics, autonomy, multiagent systems, machine learning/AI, multi-physics modeling and simulation, model-based systems engineering, or cyber physical security. Depending on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate, offer of appointment may be at either the research associate or senior research associate rank.

Specific responsibilities include the following:
(1) support research conducted in Space@VT and AOE through platform, payload, and algorithm development, prototype or production solutions, and the development of new modeling and simulation tools;
(2) establish and support development and laboratory environments for test and evaluation of research products;
(3) contribute to technical documents/presentations, proposals, and peer-reviewed academic papers;
(4) provide mentorship to students working on programs.

Required Qualifications

For the rank of Research Associate:
• An earned Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline; or an earned Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline and significant related professional experience
• Experience with development environments, establishing workflows, electronics, and/or laboratory development and test equipment
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team in executing research and/or development projects
• Evidence of high potential for excellence in research and development as demonstrated through academic study or experience in one of the described areas

For the rank of Senior Research Associate:
• An earned Doctorate degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline; or an earned Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline and significant related professional experience
• Significant experience serving in a leadership role in a research and development environment
• Experience with development environments, establishing workflows, electronics, and/or laboratory development and test equipment
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team in executing research and/or development projects
• Evidence of high potential for excellence in research and development as demonstrated through academic study or experience in one of the described areas

Preferred Qualifications

• US citizenship
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team in executing research and/or development projects
• Evidence of excellence in research and development as demonstrated through academic study or experience in one of the described areas.
• Interest and/or experience in working effectively with a diverse faculty, staff and student population
• Experience working in an academic environment
• Experience executing on research and/or development programs supporting the federal government

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

Review Date

December 21, 2020

Additional Information

Position is recruiting for either a research associate or senior research associate. Rank offered will be dependent on the skill set of the successful candidate.

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 Cory Thompson at coryt10@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: December 3, 2020
Applications close: