Research Scientist

Virginia Tourism Corporation; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

The position at Virginia Tech will support a fast-paced externally funded research project focused on experimental characterization and computational modeling of human vaginal tissue. You will generate and analyze experimental data to support milestones and collaborate across teams.

Ideal candidates have hands-on experience in soft tissue biomechanics, including mechanical testing, tissue procurement, data processing, and constitutive modeling, with ability to work independently and communicate

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with 5+ years post-bachelor experience in mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, biomechanics, or related field.
• Hands-on experience in experimental soft tissue biomechanics.
• Experience with experimental data acquisition, processing, and interpretation.
• Experience fitting constitutive models to experimental data.

Skills

Soft tissue biomechanics

Mechanical testing

Data analysis

Constitutive modeling

Scientific writing

Collaboration

Education

Master’s degree + 5 years exp in mechanical/biomedical engineering or biomechanics

Job description

Job Description

This position will support a fast-paced, externally funded research project focused on the experimental characterization and computational modeling of human vaginal tissue. The individual will be responsible for generating and analyzing experimental data needed to support ongoing computational studies and project milestones.

The work requires specialized expertise in soft tissue biomechanics, including tissue procurement and dissection, mechanical testing, analysis and interpretation of experimental data, and constitutive modeling. Because the experimental work is directly connected to ongoing computational activities, the successful candidate must be able to begin this work with minimal additional training.

The position therefore requires an individual with substantial hands-on experience in soft tissue biomechanics and mechanical testing, preferably including direct experience working with vaginal tissue. The individual must also be able to work independently and collaborate effectively with experimental and computational researchers across a multidisciplinary research team.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree, Bachelor's + 5 years post-bachelor’s experience in mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, biomechanics, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated research experience in experimental soft tissue biomechanics.
• Hands-on experience conducting mechanical testing of biological soft tissues.
• Experience with experimental data acquisition, processing, analysis, and interpretation.
• Experience analyzing tissue mechanical behavior and fitting constitutive models to experimental data.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive hands-on experience with mechanical testing of soft tissues.
• Direct research experience with vaginal tissue, including tissue procurement, dissection, specimen preparation, mechanical testing, data analysis, and interpretation of results.
• Experience with constitutive modeling of vaginal or other soft biological tissues.
• Familiarity with computational mechanics and reduced-order modeling.
• Previous experience collaborating with investigators across experimental and computational research groups.
• Ability to conduct research independently and troubleshoot experimental procedures.
• Strong quantitative, scientific writing, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary research teams.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

75,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

November 20, 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 medicinecollege, 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 Amanda Collinsat [e-mail] regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.