Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor and Research Professor in Cyber Security

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 (VTNSI) 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 applicants are sought to join VTNSI as Research Assistant
Professor, Research Associate Professor, or Research Professor in
Cyber Security to support rapid growth in our body of programs in
cyber security, cyber analytics, and cyber operations. Rank will be
determined based upon experience and credentials. This position
serves as a research staff member of the Hume Center and in the
Intelligent Systems Division (ISD). ISD hosts a range of dynamic
research projects, and the successful applicant will have the
ability to contribute to these programs, lead the development of
new programs, and mentor students engaged in these programs. ISD is
a leader in research and development in three core capabilities: 1)
AI Applications, 2) AI Assurance, and 3) AI and Digitial
Engineering.

Specific responsibilities include the following: (1) support the
execution of university sponsored programs by conducting research
and development; (2) author technical documents and publish
peer-reviewed academic papers; (3) support the development of new
funded research programs by participating on proposal teams and
supporting the business development activities of VTNSI; (4)
support the development and growth of the future national security
workforce through student mentoring and advisement, and workforce
training and education.

We are seeking individuals with expertise in cyber security, cyber
operations, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data
science. Successful applicants will have experience applying these
methods to complex organization and/or system technologies.

Required Qualifications

• Given the nature of the research conducted and requirement from

the federal sponsor, candidates must be a U.S. Citizen.

• Active security clearance with the ability to maintain the

clearance.

• An earned Doctorate degree in Computer Science, Computer

Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics,
Psychology, or a related field.

• Experience with cyber security and cyber operations (including

software, AI/ML, or autonomy).

• Evidence of high potential for excellence in research and

development as demonstrated through academic study or
experience.

• Scholarship and funding credentials that support the rank of

either research assistant professor, research associate professor,
or research professor.

• Demonstrated mastery of ones’ field of study through publication

of relevant research in peer-reviewed academic venues appropriate
to the discipline.

• Proficiency with the tools germane to field of research.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team in executing

upon research projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• Proficiency in cyber security and cyber test (including software,

AI/ML, or autonomy), network and penetration testing, malware
analysis, or red teaming.

• Experience with cryptography or software reverse

engineering.

• Proficiency in testing AI-enabled systems (including

benchmarking, prompting, narratives, AI use in human workflows) and
agentic AI (including assessing behavior and security, autonomous
use of AI).

• Experience in policy, risk assessment, or risk management

frameworks (RMF) for systems testing.

• Experience writing grant and contract proposals.
• Experience serving as principal investigator on research grants

and contracts.

• Interest and/or experience in working effectively with a diverse

faculty, staff and student population.

• Experience conducting research programs supporting defense and

intelligence sponsors.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$150,000 - $260,000, commensurate with experience and rank at
hire

• Research Assistant Professor $150-$180k
• Research Associate Professor $180-$220k
• Research Professor $220-$260k

Hours per week

40

Review Date

November 30, 2026

Additional Information

Positions will be located in the Virginia Tech Research Center in
Arlington, VA. Due to the nature of our work, the successful
candidates must be US citizens with an active 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
alext3@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10
business days prior to the event.