Assistant/Associate Professor

Job Description

The Department of Biomedical Engineering in the College of
Engineering at Virginia Tech invites applications for a regular,
full-time faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Professor
level in whole-body biomechanics. The position is based on the
Blacksburg campus and is an onsite, nine-month academic-year
appointment. Appointment at the Assistant Professor level will be
tenure-track. Appointment at the Associate Professor level,
including the possibility of tenure upon appointment, will depend
on the candidate's qualifications and university review and
approval. The anticipated start date is August 10, 2027.

We seek a scholar in whole-body biomechanics, broadly defined,
across any application area compatible with the mission of our
department. We welcome candidates who use experimental,
computational, clinical, field-based, wearable, imaging,
data-science, or hybrid approaches to investigate integrated
movement, loading, function, performance, injury, adaptation, or
recovery. The successful candidate will build or expand a
distinctive, externally sponsored research program; disseminate
high-quality scholarship; teach at the undergraduate and graduate
levels; mentor students and trainees; and collaborate across
disciplinary and institutional boundaries.

Depending on programmatic fit and departmental needs, the
successful candidate may be considered to serve as faculty director
of the Kevin P. Granata Biomechanics Lab. The lab provides
approximately 2,500 square feet of human movement research space in
Norris Hall and includes in-ground force plates, an instrumented
treadmill, marker-based and markerless motion capture,
electromyography, plantar-pressure measurement systems, and
performance-testing capabilities. A faculty director would be
expected to steward the lab as a safe, reliable, and collaborative
university resource while advancing its scientific reach.

Virginia Tech Biomedical Engineering is focused on solving complex
problems that transcend disciplinary boundaries and on translating
research and innovation to improve quality of life. Our faculty and
staff support hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students
through several degree programs, a biomedical engineering minor,
and across institutional affiliations. The graduate program is
supported through the joint Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of
Biomedical Engineering and Sciences. The department is proud of its
innovative, entrepreneurial, inclusive, and supportive culture, and
it emphasizes high-impact educational practices, hands-on learning,
ethical innovation, and student success.

The new faculty member will join a broad research enterprise
spanning biomechanics, biomaterials, biomedical imaging,
cardiovascular engineering, nanobioengineering, neuroengineering,
tissue engineering, translational cancer research, and
transportation safety. Relevant collaborative opportunities include
the Center for Injury Biomechanics, Virginia Tech Helmet Lab,
Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Fralin Biomedical Research
Institute at VTC, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine,
Carilion Clinic, the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary
Medicine, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Wake
Forest University School of Medicine, and partners across the
College of Engineering and the university.

Required Qualifications

-An earned doctoral degree in biomedical engineering, biomechanics,
mechanical engineering, engineering mechanics, rehabilitation
science, kinesiology, or a closely related discipline by the
effective date of appointment, with a research program grounded in
engineering principles.

-A record of peer-reviewed scholarly accomplishment in whole-body
biomechanics that is appropriate to the proposed rank.

-For appointment at the Assistant Professor level, clear evidence
of research independence and the potential to establish and sustain
an externally sponsored research program. For appointment at the
Associate Professor level, a sustained record of independent
scholarship, external support, and national or international
recognition that is commensurate with the rank.

-Evidence of the ability or strong potential to teach biomedical
engineering and biomechanics courses effectively and to advise and
mentor undergraduate and graduate students.

-Evidence of effective interdisciplinary collaboration and the
ability to contribute to a rigorous, ethical, collegial, inclusive,
and supportive academic environment.

-For candidates seeking appointment with tenure at the Associate
Professor level, a record that meets Virginia Tech requirements for
tenure and rank, subject to university review and approval.

Preferred Qualifications

-Postdoctoral experience or comparable experience leading research
projects beyond the doctoral degree.

-Expertise in advanced experimental, computational, sensing,
wearable, marker-based or markerless motion-capture, imaging,
data-science, or other methods relevant to whole-body
biomechanics.

-A record of competitive external funding or a compelling,
sponsor-informed plan for obtaining external support.

-Experience translating biomechanics research through clinical,
community, governmental, athletic, occupational, military,
rehabilitation, industry, or other partnerships.

-Experience managing a shared research facility, laboratory
operations, personnel, safety, equipment, data systems, or
collaborative access; or strong evidence of potential to do
so.

-A record of effective graduate and undergraduate mentoring, team
science, curricular innovation, and professional service
appropriate to career stage.

-A research and teaching program that complements and extends
Virginia Tech strengths while opening new directions in whole-body
biomechanics.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

120,000 – 150,000

Commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

11/02/2026

Additional Information

Applicants must submit the following materials through the Virginia
Tech employment portal:

-A cover letter describing the candidate's interest in the position
and alignment with the department and university.

-A curriculum vitae.

-A research statement of no more than three pages describing the
candidate's scholarship, independent research vision, near-term
funding strategy, and potential collaborations at Virginia Tech.
Candidates interested in leadership of the Kevin P. Granata
Biomechanics Lab may also describe a vision for its scientific and
operational development.

-A teaching and mentoring statement of no more than two pages
describing the candidate's teaching experience and philosophy,
mentoring practices, and potential contributions to undergraduate
and graduate education.

-Up to three representative scholarly products.

-Names and contact information for at least three professional
references. References will be contacted for selected candidates.
Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Pam VandeVord
(pvord@vt.edu).

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 Jon Snider at jtsnider@vt.edu during
regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the
event.