Associate User Researcher Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Postdoctoral Associate - AI Tools for Research Administration and Development
Job no: 537218
Work type: Research Faculty
Senior management: Vice President for Research
Department: Research/Interdisc. Prog. - Admin
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Information Systems / Technology, Research / Scientific, Data Analytics / Security
Job Description
The Office of Research and Innovation at Virginia Tech invites applicants for a postdoctoral associate. We are seeking a well-qualified applicant who will engage stakeholders to explore opportunities for and develop a medium-term plan for using artificial intelligence tools to support research administration, strategy, and development. The candidate will work with stakeholders to understand opportunities and challenges faced by the research community and explore opportunities to use AI to meet those needs. Examples of opportunities that may emerge include reducing administrative load, improving faculty pre- and post-award service, strengthening compliance support, generating better research intelligence, and creating a scalable model for responsible AI use in research administration. The successful applicant will work closely with ORI Information Technology (IT), Electronic Research Administration (ERA), and Data & Analytics teams to develop and share best practices, understand available data and security challenges, build sustainable solutions, and provide expert perspective on using AI.
Required Qualifications
- PhD in computer science, statistics, data analytics, business administration, or related areas
- PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.
- Experience developing sustainable, secure, AI-enabled solutions intended for end-user use.
- Awareness of administrative or business processes and decision making
- Experience working with and engaging stakeholders or customers to understand needs and requirements
- Experience making medium- to long-term project plans
- Strong communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with proprietary or sensitive financial and administrative data
- Experience with process mapping and/or process improvement
- Experience building solutions within policy, legal, and contractual requirements as part of a larger team
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
$60,000; commensurate with experience
Hours per week
40+
Review Date
August 12, 2026
Additional Information
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 Lynn Byrd at byrd@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Advertised: July 29, 2026
Applications close:
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