Director of Research

Job Details

Job Description

About CCI:
The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) is Virginia’s central hub
for cybersecurity research, innovation, and workforce development
where cutting-edge ideas take shape, talent pipelines are built,
and cross-sector collaboration drives real-world impact. CCI brings
together researchers, students, industry leaders, and public
partners to advance cybersecurity at the intersection of autonomous
systems and intelligence.
With a vision to position Virginia as a global center of excellence
in cybersecurity, CCI leverages the Commonwealth’s exceptional
research institutions, diverse higher education system, vibrant
startup ecosystem, and deep concentration of cyber talent to fuel
innovation and economic growth.

About the position:
CCI is seeking a dynamic and strategic Director of Research to
provide strategic leadership for the research portfolio of the
Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI), an academic organization
dedicated to advancing cybersecurity research, innovation, and
workforce development. The Director of Research is responsible for
developing and executing a comprehensive research strategy that
aligns with CCI’s mission and advances its national and
international impact.

The Director will be expect to:

• Lead efforts to administer internal research programs and expand
  externally funded research, cultivate relationships with government
  agencies and industry partners, and strengthen interdisciplinary
  and multi-institutional collaboration.
• Mentor and supervise research faculty while ensuring the
  successful development, execution, and management of research
  programs.
• Oversee integrity and compliance of research administration
  activities, ensuring that all pre-award and post-award grant
  management processes align with applicable laws, regulations,
  sponsor requirements, and institutional policies.
• Serve in a critical role in advancing CCI’s research mission by
  shaping its strategic direction, expanding its funded research
  portfolio, and supporting the success of its faculty and research
  programs.
• Identify and secure research funding to support own research
  initiatives.
• Ensure the organization remains at the forefront of cybersecurity
  research in Virginia and beyond through strong leadership and
  external engagement.

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) in cybersecurity, computer
  science, information systems, engineering, public policy, or a
  related field.
• Demonstrated progressively advanced experience in academic or
  applied research leadership.
• Demonstrated success in securing and managing externally funded
  research projects.
• Established track record of impactful academic publication and/or
  intellectual property creation.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity policy, emerging technologies, and
  national security challenges.
• Experience supervising or mentoring research faculty and
  interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of research administration, including pre-award
  and post-award processes.
• Excellent communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing federally funded research programs (e.g.,
  NSF, DoD, DHS, DOE, or similar agencies).
• Experience leading large collaborative or multi-institutional
  research initiatives.
• Experience working within academic research centers or
  institutes.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Starting at $200,000; commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40 hrs per week

Review Date

May 29, 2026

Additional Information

This position is located in the Virginia Tech Research Center in
Arlington, VA. A hybrid work arrangement may be offered that would
include designated weekly office hours, and such a schedule will be
confirmed following onboarding/training and aligned with business
needs.

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.