Research Associate, Data Science

Job Description

The Virginia Tech National Security Institute (VTNSI) is a national leader in advancing security and resilience through innovative and applied research, empowering the next generation of experts, and building strategic alliances to address evolving national security challenges. We bring together exceptional interdisciplinary faculty, unique research infrastructure, and deep partnerships with industry and government sponsors to execute impactful research and development.

With a presence in both Blacksburg and Washington D.C. metro areas, VTNSI serves dual missions of (1) performing cutting edge research and development for externally sponsored Department of Defense and Intelligence Community programs and (2) cultivating the next generation of national security workforce and thought leaders by engaging students in curricular, extracurricular, and research and development opportunities. As one of the fastest growing thematic research institutes at Virginia Tech, sponsors and collaborators benefit from VTNSI through both highly experienced student talent pipelines and senior technical leadership that addresses some of our nation’s greatest national security challenges and threats.

The Intelligent Systems Division (ISD), one of the three research divisions of VTNSI, is seeking a Research Associate in Data Science to conduct research in artificial intelligence and systems engineering. This is a research and development position that may be based in Arlington, Virginia. ISD brings together researchers from computer science, statistics, machine learning, networks, signals processing and other fields to develop interdisciplinary solutions to cutting-edge technological challenges. Successful candidates for this position will have relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: statistics, systems engineering, data science, or computer science.

Responsibilities include the following:

1. Support research conducted in ISD in projects focused on design of experiments, time series analyses, anomaly detection, natural language processing, large scale data infrastructure, and test and evaluation, computer vision, cyber security, and systems engineering.
2. Contribute to technical documents/presentations and peer-reviewed academic papers.
3. Provide mentorship to students working on programs.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Statistics, Data Science, Computer Science, or related discipline; or Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, or related discipline and significant related experience.
• Experience with artificial intelligence and machine learning.
• Experience with common machine learning software packages such as Tensor Flow, PyTorch, Hugging Face, etc.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, R, JMP or related statistical analysis tools.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team in executing research and/or development projects.
• Evidence of high potential for excellence in research and development as demonstrated through academic study or experience.
• US citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active security clearance.
• Experience working in an academic environment.
• Proficiency with generative artificial intelligence such as large language models.
• Experience with software development.
• Experience executing on research and/or development programs supporting the federal government.
• Interest and/or experience working effectively with a diverse faculty, staff and student population.

Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type
Restricted

Salary Information
Salary Commensurate with Experience

Hours per week
40 hours per week

Review Date
5/27/2026

Additional Information
Due to the nature of the Institute's work, candidates must be US citizens. They must also have the ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.