Careers at Virginia Tech

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.

Within the Institute, multiple motivated applicants are sought to join as Research Faculty to support rapid growth in our Spectrum Dominance Division (SDD). The winning candidates can expect highly competitive salary and benefits in a university setting. This pooled position is focused on individuals with expertise in any of three key technology areas to support a growing portfolio of programs:

(1) Digital communications, signal processing, software-defined radio, and machine learning techniques applied to temporal data, such as RF I/Q streams, audio, or video.
(2) Quantum information science and engineering, with emphasis on quantum algorithm development using current and/or near-term quantum computers
(3) Computational electromagnetics, with emphasis on electromagnetic materials, interactions between EM behaviors/propagation, and manufacturing / testing of EM materials

Successful applicants will have experience in research and systems such as:

(1) Digital signal processing and software defined radio technologies, with emphasis on military applications, satellite communications, and/or cellular communications. Experience with algorithm design, embedded DSP development, multithreaded programming, GPU development, SDR hardware platforms, FPGA development, and/or Linux-based designed tools is desired. Representative experience includes using MATLAB, GNU Radio, HDL Coder, REDHAWK, XMIDAS, VHDL/Verilog, C++, and/or Python for RF spectrum access applications.

(2) Foundation in quantum mechanics, with additional emphases on applied mathematics, software development, low-level computer science/computer engineering, and/or operations research.

(3) The design, use, and testing of electromagnetic materials; development and use of composite or polymer structures; modeling and live testing of reflection and scattering phenomena; design of experiments for compact near-field propagation analyses; and/or design and use of meta-materials.

Candidates are anticipated to align with only one of the dominant research portfolios, yet flexibility in tasking and projects permits growth across different technology areas. For all technical specialties, 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 proposal teams and supporting the business development activities of the Hume Center; and
(4) provide mentorship to students and junior researchers working on programs.

In addition those appointed to the rank of Senior Research Associate will have the responsibility for leading program development efforts.

Those appointed to the rank of Research Scientist or Senior Research Scientist have additional responsibility to serve in a supervisory capacity for students and junior researchers and serve as principal investigator on research efforts.

Multiple positions and levels available at various levels and unless specified, all positions require the following:
• Given the nature of the research conducted and requirement from the federal sponsor, candidates must be a U.S. Citizen with ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Evidence of high potential for excellence in research and development as demonstrated through academic study or experience.
• Experience with conducting research and development.
• Proficiency with the tools germane to field of research.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team in executing upon research projects.

For the rank of Research Associate:
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or related discipline. Lesser degree with significant professional experience in a related discipline may be considered in lieu of the advanced degree.

For the rank of Senior Research Associate:
• Doctorate degree Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or related discipline. Advance degree with significant professional experience in a related discipline may be considered in lieu of the doctorate degree.
• Demonstrated excellence in research and development and experience in providing research leadership to programs in these areas.

For the ranks of Research Scientist:
• Doctorate degree Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or related discipline. Advance degree with significant professional experience in a related discipline may be considered in lieu of the doctorate degree.
• Experience serving as a principal investigator in a research and development environment and demonstrated leadership in developing and executing research programs.
• Evidence of high potential for excellence in research and development as demonstrated through academic study or experience.
• Experience with conducting research and development and providing research leadership to programs in these areas.

For the ranks of Senior Research Scientist:
• Doctorate degree Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or related discipline. Advance degree with significant professional experience in a related discipline may be considered in lieu of the doctorate degree.
• Experience serving as a principal investigator in a research and development environment and demonstrated leadership in developing and executing research programs.
• Evidence of high potential for excellence in research and development as demonstrated through academic study or experience; appointments at the rank of senior research scientist require demonstrated excellence in the leadership of a portfolio of research and development programs.
• Experience with conducting research and development and providing research leadership to programs in these areas.

• Active security clearance at the TS/SCI level
• Interest and/or experience in working effectively with a diverse faculty, staff, and student population
• Experience working in an academic environment
• Experience conducting research programs supporting the federal government.

Restricted

80,000 - 160,000

October 1, 2024

This pooled recruitment is being established to hire at multiple ranks and up to four positions as of the date the position is posted. Given the skills set of the successful hire, the associated position will be created to reflect the level and appropriate classification.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

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.