Research Data Analyst

Virginia Tech; Virginia; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech National Security Institute (VTNSI) in Blacksburg/DC metro area seeks a Research Data Analyst for the Intelligent Systems Division. You will support interdisciplinary research at the nexus of data science, AI/ML, and national security, performing analyses, experiments, and reporting of results to sponsors and teams.

Ideal candidates hold a relevant degree, can work in a team, and will pursue development of tools in R, Python, Matlab, and Jupyter Notebooks.

Qualifications

• US citizenship and ability to obtain security clearance
• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in CS/data science/applied math or related field
• Experience performing literature reviews and data analysis

Responsibilities

• Perform exploratory data analysis, report summary statistics, and visualize data.
• Perform literature reviews for relevant research areas.
• Design numerical experiments.
• Train and test AI/ML models.
• Compile and summarize AI/ML model testing results.
• Perform statistical analysis of data and test results

Skills

Statistics

AI/ML concepts

Data visualization

Education

Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, or related field

Tools

R

Python

Matlab

JMP

Jupyter Notebooks

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.

Motivated Research Data Analyst applicants are sought to begin their careers in a beginning research position supporting rapid growth in VTNSI’s Intelligent Systems Division (ISD) which conducts research to address critical areas of national security in:

• Data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI)
• Cybersecurity and complex systems engineering
• Complex system validation and test and evaluation (T&E)

ISD brings together researchers from computer science, statistics, data science, machine learning, networks, signals processing, systems engineering, human factors, and other fields to develop interdisciplinary solutions to cutting‑edge technological challenges. Applicants should have hands‑on experience with tools germane to their research area.

Responsibilities include:

• Performing exploratory data analysis, reporting summary statistics, and visualizing data.
• Performing literature reviews for relevant research areas.
• Designing numerical experiments.
• Training and testing AI/ML models.
• Compiling and summarizing AI/ML model testing results.
• Performing statistical analysis of data and test results.

The Research Data Analyst should be familiar with statistics and AI/ML concepts such as design of experiments, time series analysis, anomaly detection, natural language processing, large scale data infrastructure, or T&E. Tools that will be utilized by the Research Data Analyst include programming (R, Python, Matlab), JMP, and Jupyter Notebooks.

The successful applicant will work as part of team-based research efforts, support the development of research proposals, and develop skills to assist in the documentation and presentation of research results to sponsors and academic communities.

Required Qualifications

• US citizenship
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• An earned Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computational modeling and data analytics, data science, applied mathematics, or related discipline or related programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team in executing research projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active security clearance.
• Interest and/or experience working effectively with an interdisciplinary team.
• Experience working in an academic environment.
• Experience executing on research and/or development programs supporting the federal government.

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Restricted

Salary Information

$90,000 - $110,000; commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

October 30, 2026

Additional Information

Due to the nature of our work, the successful candidates must be US citizens with the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

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 Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and 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 Alex Tuuri at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.