Research Associate Professor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Research Associate Professor
Job no: 536364
Work type: Research Faculty
Senior management: College of Engineering
Department: Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Engineering, Research / Scientific
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
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 Erin Wilson at erinwilson@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Advertised: May 7, 2026
Applications close:
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