Research Assistant Profesor, Research Associate Proessor or Research Professor -Artificial Intelligence Assurance

Virginia Tech seeks applications for a research faculty position to join the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Hub with the research portfolio of Artificial Intelligence Assurance.  Specific focus areas include computer science, statistics, data science, machine learning, and psychology.  Appointment at the rank of assistant, associate, and full research professor are possible depending on experience.  Requirements include a Ph.D. in computer science, statistics, mathematics, economics, psychology or a closely related field.  The research focus of this position supports the Artificial Intelligence Assurance research thrust under CCI. Focus areas may include: machine learning, artificial intelligence, cyber analytics, cyber-physical system (CPS) security, security of artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML), test and evaluation of ML/AI, ML/AI Trust, ML/AI Quality.

This position is based in Northern Virginia and part of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI), which is a $20M/year state investment with a hub in Northern Virginia anchored by Virginia Tech that connects education, research, and innovation programs at universities across the state in cybersecurity and related areas. This hub will develop and connect strategic research and innovation programs in cyber with a range of experiential learning and educational programs. The starting point for CCI's research focus is at the intersection of CPS and wireless system security and AI/ML, seeking to develop major research programs to tackle security and privacy for connected infrastructure, smart cities, and the IoT.

The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate with existing faculty participating across the CCI network with wide-ranging expertise in security. See cyberinitiative.org for more information about CCI.  Additionally, this candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with the Discovery Analytics Center (dac.cs.vt.edu) and the Hume Center for National Security and Technology (www.hume.vt.edu) which is currently operating a number of large-scale research programs in cybersecurity and related fields with industry and government partners as part of developing CCI.

Specific responsibilities include the following: (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 the development of new funded research programs by participating in proposal teams and supporting the business development activities; and (4) provide mentorship to students and junior researchers working on programs; (5) leading program development efforts and serving as principal investigator on research efforts; and (6) serve in a supervisory capacity for students and junior researchers.

 An earned Ph.D. in Computer science, Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Psychology or a closely related field, completed prior to employment; demonstrated excellence in research, scholarship, and teaching, or evidence of high potential for such excellence; ability to articulate a coherent agenda of research or scholarship and to identify potential funding sources to support such research activities; effective communication skills.

 Prior experience in the role of PI or Co-PI on funded research projects; ability and willingness to work collaboratively with faculty from a variety of disciplines; experience in working with students including overseeing student internships or service-learning activities; interest or experience in mentoring students, both undergraduate or graduate, in research; interest or experience working effectively with a diverse student population.

Commensurate with experience.

Application reviews will begin on December 9, 2019 and will continue until the position is filled.

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

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.