Research Data Analyst

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.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

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
alext3@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10
business days prior to the event.