Faculty Position in Computer Systems and Networking

Job Description

The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at Virginia Tech invites applications for a tenure-track or tenured faculty position at the assistant or associate professor level in the broad area of computer systems, networking, and embedded systems. The position is based in Blacksburg, Virginia, with opportunities for collaboration across Virginia Tech’s Institute of Advanced Computing (Alexandria, VA) and other university research institutes. The successful candidate will be expected to develop and maintain a nationally recognized funded research program, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, and participate in department, college, and university service and outreach activities.

The ECE department offers B.S., M.Eng., M.S., and Ph.D. degree programs in both Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering with a current enrollment of approximately 1,200 undergraduate and 670 graduate students. The department has 71 full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty members and 22 non-tenure-track faculty located in two primary locations, which are the Blacksburg Campus and the Greater Washington, DC area including the new VT Institute of Advanced Computing Campus in Alexandria, Virginia. Annual research expenditures exceed $56M. Recognition of faculty accomplishments includes 4 members of the National Academy of Engineering, 30 Fellows of the IEEE, and various fellows of other professional societies, 27 current and prior NSF CAREER awardees, and 4 DoD Young Investigators. The latest Global Universities ranking by U.S. News & World Report (USN&WR) places our department at #3 nationally in the Electrical and Electronic Engineering category. The department has some of the nation’s best programs in the areas of fiber optics and photonics, space science and remote sensing, wireless communications and networking, power electronics, power systems, autonomous systems, embedded systems, and computational biology. The Department is the beneficiary of the Bradley Endowment valued in excess of $20 million. For additional information about the department and the College of Engineering, please visit www.ece.vt.edu and www.eng.vt.edu.

We seek outstanding candidates with expertise spanning computer systems, networking, and embedded systems who can advance the state of the art in both fundamental research and experimental practice. The successful candidate will develop a highly visible, externally funded research program in computer systems and networking, with an emphasis on areas such as computer networking, embedded systems for intelligent and secure applications, energy-efficient and secure systems-on-chip, accelerators, and hardware–software co-design. Research interests that extend into distributed and cloud–edge systems, operating systems, runtime environments —including future Internet architectures, open programmable networks, and software-defined or large-scale experimental testbeds—are particularly encouraged. Candidates whose work bridges across disciplines are especially desirable, including those exploring cross-cutting themes such as UAV and autonomous systems for advanced air mobility, IoT and RFID integration for ubiquitous computing, or the democratization of experimental platforms spanning aerial, ground, space, and underwater systems. The successful candidate will build experimental platforms (e.g., SDR-based testbeds, UAV / vehicular networks, or cloud–edge integration) that complement existing departmental strengths in space systems, wireless communications, cybersecurity, AI, semiconductors, and power systems.

This position offers an opportunity to shape the future of computing at Virginia Tech through research, teaching, and service. The candidate will teach core courses in computer engineering—such as embedded systems, computer architecture, and network application design—as well as specialized graduate courses in their research area. They will contribute to interdisciplinary initiatives with the Institute of Advanced Computing (IAC), the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI), the National Security Institute (NSI), the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT), and the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS). In addition, they will mentor graduate students and postdoctoral researchers and contribute to professional and university service activities.

Applicants must apply online at jobs.vt.edu (posting number 534660). Application materials include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, up to three relevant research publications, and contact information for at least three references. In addition, applicants must provide three separate written statements (up to 3 pages each) : (1) a research statement; (2) a statement of teaching and mentoring philosophy; and (3) a statement expressing the candidate’s ideas for supporting an educational environment consistent with the Virginia Tech Principles of Community—specific examples of experiences, activities, and plans will help us identify candidates who can support and extend our university’s commitment to inclusive excellence. Review of applications will commence on 1 / 15 / 2026, and continue until the position is filled.

Required Qualifications

An earned Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a 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 research.

Willingness and ability to work in a technology-based research and education environment, such as is characterized by use of learning technologies, distance learning, online courses, videoconferencing, and network and grid based collaborative research.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience in the role of PI or CoPI on funded research projects.

Ability and willingness to work collaboratively with faculty from a variety of disciplines.

Experience in working with students as academic or career advisor, 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.

Hands-on expertise in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable :

• Software-defined radios and wireless testbeds
• UAV / vehicular networking and autonomous systems
• Cyber-physical systems and cross-layer experimental design

Candidates should also demonstrate the ability and enthusiasm to teach core computer engineering courses (e.g., embedded systems, computer architecture, computer networking) as well as advanced electives and exhibit strong potential for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Overtime Status

Exempt : Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Hours per week

40

Review Date

1 / 15 / 2026, and will continue until position is filled.

Additional Information

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