Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Building on its motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to InclusiveVT-serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. We seek candidates who adopt and practice the Principles of Community, which are fundamental to our on-going efforts to increase access and inclusion, and to create a community that nurtures learning and growth for all of its members. Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to join our community in preparing leaders for the world.

Position Summary:
The Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and Technology at Virginia Tech is a University level research center that reports to the Vice President of Research and Innovation. Its mission is to cultivate the next generation of national security leaders by developing and executing curricular, extracurricular, and research opportunities to engage students. One of the fastest growing research centers at VT, sponsors and collaborators benefit from both highly experienced student talent and senior technical leadership that address some of our nation's greatest security challenges. The Hume team conducts research contracts for the IC, DoD, DHS and Industry. Execution of scope, schedule and cost is complimented by a team of project and program managers. Transition of high impact technology deliverables is effected directly by staff personnel, through industry partnerships and/or numerous individual startups.
The Center for Space Science and Engineering at Virginia Tech (Space@VT, www.space.vt.edu) resides in the College of Engineering. Its mission is to provide forefront research, instruction, and educational outreach in the fields of space science and engineering utilizing a holistic approach of theoretical modeling, advanced simulation techniques, space system and instrument design, and experimental data acquisition, analysis and interpretation. Space@VT has approximately 100 highly capable faculty, staff, and graduate students working in a broad spectrum of space science and engineering fields. The research interests of this center include upper atmospheric and space plasma physics, spacecraft environmental interactions, and space instrument and space systems development. These interests are explored with a combination of theory, modeling, and observation.
Motivated applicants are sought to join as either Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor or Research Professors to support rapid growth in our body of space engineering and space science programs. The winning candidates can expect highly competitive salary and benefits in a university setting. This position serves as a research member in the Hume Center within one of its research laboratories and will support Space@VT research programs as well. The successful applicant will have the ability to contribute to joint trans-disciplinary research programs, lead the development of and execute new programs, mentor students engaged in these programs, and publish at internationally conference and in relevant archival journals.
Specific responsibilities leading to the development of a self-sustaining extramurally-funded research program include: (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 (and lead for higher ranks) the development of new funded research programs by participating in proposal teams and supporting the business development activities of the Hume Center and Space@VT; (4) mentor students engaged in experiential learning programs; (5) advise graduate students pursuing advanced degrees; and (6) occasionally teach courses.
Individuals with experience in satellite systems, autonomous control, space domain awareness, system optimization and orchestration, and/or space science are sought.
Rank will be determined based on the candidates education and experience. For more information regarding ranks please visit https://www.provost.vt.edu/faculty_affairs/faculty_handbook.html

Required Qualifications:
- An earned Doctorate degree in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline.
- Evidence of high potential for excellence in research and development as demonstrated through academic study or experience.
- Scholarship, funding, and recognition credentials that support the rank of 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 applied research projects.
- Given the nature of the research conducted and requirement from the federal sponsor, candidates be a U.S. Citizen,Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance or a permanent resident with prior demonstrated ITAR waiver to work on space programs.
- Experience serving as principal investigator or Co PI on research grants and contracts.

Preferred Qualifications:
- Active security clearance at the TS/ SCI level.
- Interest and/or experience in working effectively with a diverse faculty, staff and student population.
- Experience conducting research programs supporting defense and intelligence sponsors.
-Technical expertise in designing, building, testing, and flying experimental spacecraft.



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