Research Associate Professor

Job Description

The Research Associate Professor in Aerospace Propulsion will lead and execute externally funded research programs within the Advanced Propulsion and Power Laboratory at Virginia Tech. The position emphasizes the integration of experimental and computational methods to advance technology and methods for gas turbine engines and hypersonic aerodynamic systems. The successful candidate will be expected to secure and sustain sponsored research funding, mentor graduate and undergraduate students, and contribute to the instructional mission through teaching in aerospace engineering. This role also requires establishing a collaborative research program that engages academic, industry, and government partners while advancing innovative propulsion technologies.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field
• Credentials and experience consistent with appointment at the rank of Research Associate Professor
• Demonstrated record of scholarly publications in aerospace propulsion or related areas
• Proven experience managing and executing research projects
• Demonstrated success in securing external research funding
• Experience designing and conducting experiments, including data analysis and interpretation
• Experience with research-grade computational methods relevant to propulsion or fluid dynamics
• Experience teaching undergraduate and/or graduate-level courses

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in industrial gas turbine research and development
• Expertise in optimization and inverse methods applied to aerospace propulsion
• Experience specifying, designing, and commissioning experimental test rigs for propulsion systems
• Experience in hypersonic aerodynamics and associated heat transfer phenomena
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative research programs across academia, industry, and government
• Demonstrated ability to mentor undergraduate and graduate research students and/or early career professionals

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

140,000-150,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

05/20/2026

Additional Information

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