Research Associate

Virginia Tech; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech is seeking a highly talented research engineer to design, build, and maintain novel therapeutic ultrasound systems for research and development in focused ultrasound. You will work on ultrasound electronics, transducers, and integration with image-guided feedback using ultrasound and MRI.

The role involves preclinical and clinical research collaboration, development of manufacturing methods for hardware, and ensuring testing meets standards.

Qualifications

• MS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or related field (or BS with equivalent experience).
• Knowledge of power ultrasound transducers, RF systems, piezoelectric devices, and transducer testing.
• 3 years designing, fabricating, testing high-power ultrasound transducers and electronics.
• Experience with RF and acoustic measurement techniques.
• Experience managing research or engineering projects and documenting results.
• Collaborative experience in multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, characterize, and maintain novel therapeutic ultrasound systems.
• Develop ultrasound electronics and transducers for veterinary and human medicine research.
• Integrate hardware with image-guided feedback including ultrasound and MRI.
• Test and develop manufacturing methods for ultrasound hardware.
• Support deployment in preclinical and clinical research and maintain equipment.

Skills

Power ultrasound

RF electronics

Piezoelectric devices

Transducer characterization

Ultrasound hardware development

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering

BS with equivalent experience

Tools

MATLAB

C/C++

Python

Verilog/VHDL

FPGA development

GUI development

Job description

Job Description

The Therapeutic Ultrasound Lab at Virginia Tech is an internationally renowned group advancing technologies for focused ultrasound surgeries. The lab works across a broad translational spectrum of fundamental science, engineering, and translational studies to move these technologies from bench to clinic. We are seeking a highly talented and motivated research engineer to design, build, characterize, and maintain novel therapeutic ultrasound systems to support research and development to treat a wide range of diseases and conditions with focused ultrasound. The appointed research engineer will be tasked with designing novel ultrasound electronics and transducers for applications researching both veterinary and human medicine. Additionally, they will further work to integrate this hardware with image-guided feedback including ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging systems. They will further be expected to test and develop novel methods to manufacture ultrasound hardware and evaluate its performance through acoustic and electrical testing to meet specific standards. These systems will be deployed in preclinical and clinical research in collaboration with teams both within the Virginia Tech community and abroad. The researcher will also be responsible for developing and maintaining both standard and custom equipment for ultrasound hardware development.

Required Qualifications

• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline, or B.S. with equivalent experience in research or industry in a relevant technical field in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of power ultrasound transducers, RF electrical systems, piezoelectric devices, and ultrasound transducer characterization and performance testing.
• 3 years of experience designing, fabricating, testing, and operating high-power ultrasound transducers and associated electronics.
• Demonstrated proficiency with radiofrequency electrical and acoustic measurement techniques and instrumentation.
• 3 years of experience planning and independently managing research or engineering projects, including technical planning, execution, and documentation.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating on multidisciplinary engineering, scientific, or clinical research teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing diagnostic ultrasound arrays and cavitation sensing techniques.
• Experience operating ultrasound imaging systems and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems.
• Demonstrated proficiency in MATLAB, C/C++, Python, or other engineering programming languages.
• Experience with hardware description languages (Verilog, VHDL) and FPGA-based system development.
• Experience developing graphical user interfaces for scientific or engineering applications.
• Demonstrated experience independently managing multiple concurrent engineering or research projects.
• Experience authoring, presenting, or contributing to peer-reviewed scientific publications, conference proceedings, technical reports, or related research communications.
• Demonstrated knowledge of international standards applicable to medical ultrasound systems and associated testing methodologies.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

starting at $80,000; salary commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

08/26/2026

Additional Information

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 communitydedicated 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 Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension officesand research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

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, ethnicity or 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 Jon Sniderat [e-mail] regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.