Job Description

Are you ready to make a real impact on America’s national security while working on the cutting edge of data science, machine learning, and AI? At the Virginia Tech National Security Institute (VTNSI), we’re assembling a team of trailblazers who thrive on solving complex challenges with interdisciplinary solutions.

About Us

Rooted in the pioneering legacy of the Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and Technology, VTNSI aspires to be the nation's premier academic organization at the intersection of research, technology, policy, and talent development. With locations in Blacksburg and the Washington, D.C., metro area, we work tirelessly to ensure a secure and innovative future for America.

Our Intelligent Systems Division (ISD) tackles some of the most pressing challenges in:

• Data Science, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Cybersecurity and Complex Systems Engineering
• Validation, Test, and Evaluation (T&E) of Complex Systems

Join our diverse team of researchers across fields like computer science, data science, systems engineering, statistics, human factors, and more, to develop transformative solutions for national security.

What You’ll Do

As a Research Data Analyst, you’ll be at the forefront of technological innovation, working in a highly collaborative environment to:

• Develop and utilize tools like Python, R, MATLAB, JMP, Jupyter Notebooks, and statistical analysis platforms to uncover insights.
• Apply advanced techniques such as time series analysis, anomaly detection, natural language processing, and large-scale data infrastructure.
• Contribute to team-based research projects that address critical national security issues.
• Assist in proposal development and present findings to sponsors and the academic community.

This role offers the opportunity to grow professionally while working alongside some of the brightest minds in the field—all within a supportive academic environment with industry-competitive salaries.

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• US citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, applied mathematics, computational modeling, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively on research projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• An active security clearance.
• Experience working in academic or federal government research settings.
• Interest in diverse, interdisciplinary teamwork.
• A passion for solving complex national security challenges.

Why Join VTNSI?

Impactful Work

Shape the future of national security while advancing data science, machine learning, and AI. Your contributions will make a difference in solving some of the nation’s most critical challenges.

Collaborative Innovation

At VTNSI, you’ll work with experts across disciplines in an environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and professional growth.

Competitive Benefits

• Salary starting at $90,000, commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package, combining the advantages of a university setting with industry standards.

About Virginia Tech

At Virginia Tech, our motto, "Ut Prosim" (That I May Serve), inspires everything we do. With a diverse community of over 36,000 students, eight undergraduate colleges, and cutting-edge research facilities, we’re committed to improving lives and advancing knowledge.

Our campuses and research centers extend across Virginia, including our Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia and the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke. With over $500 million in annual research expenditures, Virginia Tech is a global leader in groundbreaking discoveries.

Commitment to Inclusion

We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are an Equal Opportunity Employer.