Research Assistant Professor, ISD

Virginia Tech; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech's National Security Institute (VTNSI) invites applications for a Research Assistant Professor position. The role supports rapid growth in data strategies, AI assurance, digital engineering, and cyber analytics within the ISD, mentoring students, and building new programs.

The successful candidate will collaborate across VTNSI and Hume Center, lead proposal teams, and contribute to national security education and workforce development. U.S. citizenship is required.

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, AI, ML, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Psychology, or a related field.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Evidence of high potential for excellence in research with publications.
• Scholarship and funding credentials supporting research rank.
• Demonstrated mastery through publication in peer‑reviewed venues.

Responsibilities

• Support execution of university-sponsored programs by conducting R&D.
• Author technical documents and publish peer‑reviewed papers.
• Support development of funded research by joining proposal teams and assisting business development for VTNSI.
• Mentor students and contribute to workforce training to grow the national security workforce.

Skills

Security clearance readiness

Team collaboration

Research publication

Publications in peer-reviewed venues

Education

Doctorate in CS/CE/Robust related field

Tools

Research tools

Job description

Job Description

Based on the foundation of the Ted and Karyn Hume Center forNational Security and Technology, Virginia Tech launched theVirginia Tech National Security Institute (VTNSI) in September2021. With a presence in Blacksburg and the Washington, D.C., metroarea, the institute aspires to be the nation's preeminent academicorganization at the nexus of interdisciplinary research,technology, policy, and talent development, the national securityinstitute will advance national security in pursuit of a secureAmerica.

Motivated applicants are sought to join VTNSI as Research AssistantProfessor to support rapid growth in our body of programs in datastrategies, test and evaluation, artificial intelligence assurance,digital engineering, and cyber analytics and operations. Thisposition serves as a research faculty member of the Hume Center andin the Intelligent Systems Division (ISD). ISD hosts a range ofdynamic research projects and the successful applicant will havethe ability to contribute to these programs, lead the developmentof new programs, and mentor students engaged in these programs. ISDis a leader in research and development in three core capabilities:1) secure and resilient systems, 2) engineering, test, andevaluation of AI systems, and 3) integrated data and decisionsystems.

Specific responsibilities include the following: (1) support theexecution of university sponsored programs by conducting researchand development; (2) author technical documents and publishpeer-reviewed academic papers; (3) support the development of newfunded research programs by participating on proposal teams andsupporting the business development activities of VTNSI; (4)support the development and growth of the future national securityworkforce through student mentoring and advisement, and workforcetraining and education.

We are seeking individuals with expertise in artificialintelligence, machine learning, data science, test and evaluation,mathematics, statistics, cyber security, AI security/assurance,human machine teaming, autonomy, and/or digital engineering.Successful applicants will have experience applying these methodsto complex organization and/or system technologies.

Required Qualifications

• An earned Doctorate degree in Computer Science, ComputerEngineering, Systems Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, MachineLearning, Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, Psychology, or arelated field.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Evidence of high potential for excellence in research anddevelopment as demonstrated through academic study orexperience.
• Scholarship and funding credentials that support the rank ofeither research assistant professor, research associate professor,or research professor.
• Demonstrated mastery of ones’ field of study through publicationof relevant research in peer-reviewed academic venues appropriateto the discipline.
• Proficiency with the tools germane to field of research.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team in executingupon research projects.
• Given the nature of the research conducted and requirement fromthe federal sponsor, candidates must be a U.S. Citizen.

Preferred Qualifications

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

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$150K-190K; commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

September 14, 2026

Additional Information

Due to the nature of our work, the successful candidates must be UScitizens with the ability to obtain and maintain a securityclearance.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminalconviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve),Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking ahands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to beleaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institutionthat enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout theworld, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, andcreativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverseenrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, andprofessional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presenceacross Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C.area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sitesin Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes . A leading global research institution,Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in researchannually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professionaldevelopment opportunities and university shared governance . These valuablecontributions to university shared governance provide importantrepresentation and perspective, along with opportunities for uniqueand impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, orapplicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (includingpregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, geneticinformation, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation,race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, orotherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquireabout, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensationof other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protectedby law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire anaccommodation, please contact Alex Tuuri at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10business days prior to the event.