Assistant or Associate Professor in Experimental Space Physics and Radar Remote Sensing

Job Description

The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)
invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in
Experimental Space Physics and Radar Remote Sensing, with an
anticipated start date of August 2027. The position is expected to
be filled at the rank of assistant or associate professor.
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, space
physics, or a closely related field. Candidates should show strong
potential for excellence in undergraduate instruction, specialized
graduate education, externally sponsored research, and scholarly
activity. The ECE Department includes nearly 100 faculty members,
more than 500 full-time graduate students, and more than 1,000
undergraduate students.

The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate and
graduate teaching in areas aligned with experimental space physics
and radar remote sensing, as well as other related ECE topics such
as satellite communications, electromagnetics, antennas and RF
propagation. Candidates may also participate in the
Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program in Remote Sensing
(http://rsigep.frec.vt.edu) which spans multiple departments and
colleges across the university. The successful candidate will also
be expected to contribute to departmental, college, and university
service and to mentor students in a manner consistent with Virginia
Tech’s Principles of Community.

The successful applicant will contribute to the University’s Center
for Space Science and Engineering Research (Space@VT,
http://www.space.vt.edu) which brings together faculty, students,
and partners across space science, remote sensing, satellite
systems, and space engineering. Its research facilities support a
broad portfolio of experimental and computational research, with
the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) Space Weather
Radar Facility serving as an important component of a broader set
of research capabilities. SuperDARN provides key observations of
Earth’s near-space environment, and Virginia Tech is a PI
institution in the international SuperDARN collaboration, which
operates a worldwide network of HF space weather radars. In
addition to Space@VT, further research resources and opportunities
for collaboration are available through the Institute for Critical
Technology and Applied Science (http://www.ictas.vt.edu), the
National Security Institute (https://nationalsecurity.vt.edu) and
Virginia Tech Advanced Research Computing
(http://www.arc.vt.edu).

Virginia Tech is a comprehensive land-grant university guided by
its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), with a strong emphasis on
hands-on, transdisciplinary learning, discovery, and
problem-solving. The university enrolls more than 36,000
undergraduate, graduate, and professional students across more than
280 majors and multiple colleges and professional schools. Based in
Blacksburg with additional locations across Virginia, Virginia Tech
is also a leading global research institution, with more than $500
million in annual research activity.

Virginia Tech is an equal opportunity employer. The university is
committed to building a culturally diverse faculty and strongly
encourages applications from candidates who will contribute to
inclusive excellence in research, teaching, and service.

Applicants are required to apply online at https://jobs.vt.edu/ and
should use posting number 538285. Application materials should
include a cover letter, a current CV, contact information for three
professional references, and statements describing research,
teaching, and professional goals . Questions about the search
process may be directed to Dr. Joseph Baker, Faculty Search
Committee Chair, Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering, at jo.baker@vt.edu. Review of applications will begin
November 30, 2026, and will continue until the position is
filled.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Space Physics, Applied Physics, or
a closely related field by the appointment start date.

Demonstrated research experience in experimental space physics,
radar remote sensing, ionospheric physics, space weather, or a
closely related field.

Evidence of scholarly productivity or potential through
peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or other
recognized research contributions.

Demonstrated ability or potential to develop an externally funded
research program, as evidenced by research proposals, sponsored
research participation, or a clearly articulated research
agenda.

Demonstrated ability or potential to teach and mentor undergraduate
and graduate students in electrical and computer engineering or
related disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

Research experience involving high-frequency (HF) radar systems,
ionospheric remote sensing, or space weather observations.

Experience with the design, development, operation, or analysis of
radar and remote sensing systems, including SuperDARN or comparable
observational networks.

Record of peer-reviewed scholarly publications in experimental
space physics, radar remote sensing, or related disciplines.

Experience securing or contributing to externally sponsored
research funding from federal agencies, industry partners, or other
research sponsors.

Experience teaching undergraduate or graduate courses in
electromagnetics, antennas, RF propagation, satellite
communications, or related ECE subjects.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$110,000–$150,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

November 30, 2026, and will continue until the position is
filled.

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 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 Cole Tankersley at cpt19@vt.edu during regular business
hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.