(Sr.) Research Associate, Information Warfare

Job Description

Based on the foundation of the Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and Technology, Virginia Tech launched the Virginia Tech National Security Institute in September 2021. With a presence in Blacksburg and the Washington, D.C., metro area, the institute aspires to be the nation's preeminent academic organization at the nexus of interdisciplinary research, technology, policy, and talent development, the national security institute will advance national security in pursuit of a secure America.

The Research Associate or Senior Research Associate is a research and development position that may be based in Blacksburg or Arlington, Virginia and is part of the NSI’s Intelligent Systems Division (ISD). ISD brings together researchers from computer science, statistics, machine learning, systems engineering and other fields to develop interdisciplinary solutions to cutting-edge technological challenges. Successful candidates for this position will have relevant, multi-disciplinary experience in two or more of the following areas related to information warfare: information operations, cyber operations, electronic warfare operations, non-kinetic targeting, human factors engineering, and decision science; or DoD acquisition to include research, development, test and evaluation.

Specific responsibilities include the following:
(1) Support research conducted in ISD in projects focused on information warfare with an emphasis on the intersection between ISD research areas such as but not limited to: cognitive science, human factors, data science, machine learning, systems engineering and traditional communications and information capabilities.
(2) Engage Virginia Tech and outside stakeholders to advance the NSI’s contribution to information warfare research and innovation. Provide relevant operational experience to support mission-engineering and use-case design in NSI projects.
(3) Contribute to technical documents/presentations and peer-reviewed academic papers
(4) Provide mentorship to and facilitate engagement with students working on programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Required Qualifications

• For Research Associate: An earned Master's degree in systems engineering, information sciences, or related discipline; or an earned Bachelor's degree in the above-listed, or related discipline and significant related, technical experience.
• For Senior Research Associate: An earned Master's degree in systems engineering, information sciences, or related discipline and significant years of related experience.
• 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 and/or experience
• Multidisciplinary operational experience in information systems involving human and cognitive factors
• Strong knowledge of DoD communications and information warfare systems, strategies, doctrines, and operational approaches
• Strong communication skills
• Due to the nature of the work, US citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Active top secret security clearance
• Interest and/or experience in working effectively with a diverse faculty, staff and student population
• Experience working in an academic environment
• Extensive experience working in operational DoD environments especially in execution of information warfare, communications or intelligence in diverse global, geo-political environments
• Experience executing on research and/or development programs supporting the federal government
• Experience leading and collaborating with multi-disciplinary technical and non-technical teams
• Experience engaging with and translating complex problems to leadership, sponsors and/or stakeholders

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

Review Date

March 21, 2022

Additional Information

This position may be located in Blacksburg, VA or Arlington, VA location.

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 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.

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: March 7, 2022
Applications close: