Full Professor in intelligent mining systems and automation

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

24d

About The Position

The Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering at Virginia Tech invites applications for an open-rank, tenured or tenure-track faculty position focused on intelligent mining systems and automation. Areas of interest include mine systems, optimization and digitization; autonomous mining; robotics and intelligent machines; artificial intelligence and machine learning for mining applications; digital twins; human-machine interaction; analytics; and real-time decision-making. The successful candidate will contribute to the department’s interdisciplinary research, education, and engagement with the mining industry. They will be expected to build an independent, coherent, and robust area of scholarship; advise PhD students; teach required undergraduate courses; and identify needs for and develop new courses. Highly qualified and distinguished applicants may be eligible for a named professorship providing salary and operational support. The department has nearly 20 tenure-line, instructional, and research faculty members and more than 120 undergraduate and graduate students. Its facilities include the recently renovated Holden Hall and the Autonomous Mining Arena. The department also convenes the Built for the Mine partnership, an education- and research-oriented collective involving 12 mining technology companies and producers. Departmental teaching, research, and operations are guided by Technical Excellence, Leadership, Community, and Resilient Creativity. Applicants must submit a cover letter, CV, up to three relevant research publications, contact information for at least three professional references, a research statement, and a teaching and mentoring philosophy statement. The research and teaching statements may be up to three pages each. Applications are submitted online at jobs.vt.edu. Review begins November 1, 2026, and continues until the position is filled. The successful candidate will be required to complete a criminal conviction check.

Requirements

PhD in mining engineering or a closely related field by the time of appointment. Candidates with degrees outside mining engineering must demonstrate scholarly, industrial, or other experience relevant to mining or mineral systems.
Demonstrated expertise in intelligent mining systems and automation, such as mine systems, optimization and digitization; autonomous mining; robotics and intelligent machines; AI and machine learning for mining; digital twins; human-machine interaction; data analytics and real-time decision-making; or related areas.
Scholarly accomplishments, or demonstrated potential for scholarly impact, commensurate with career stage and proposed rank.
Potential to establish and sustain an independent, externally supported research program advancing fundamental or applied scholarship relevant to mining and mineral systems.
Demonstrated ability to contribute effectively to interdisciplinary and collaborative research connecting mining engineering with complementary technical disciplines.
Proven ability to work collaboratively and contribute to or lead interdisciplinary teams, commensurate with rank.
Work history demonstrating the ability and interest to teach and mentor students effectively at undergraduate and graduate levels, including contributing to core mining engineering instruction and developing curricular offerings related to the candidate’s expertise.
Strong academic accomplishments and commitment to interdisciplinary research and instruction.

Nice To Haves

Externally funded research, scholarly impact, and graduate student mentorship commensurate with career stage and proposed rank.
Experience developing or leading collaborative research involving multiple investigators, disciplines, institutions, or industry partners.
Experience collaborating across technical disciplines such as computer science, mechanical engineering, robotics and autonomous systems, mechatronics, electrical and computer engineering, or safety engineering.
Industrial experience or sustained engagement with the mining, minerals, automation, or related technology sectors.

Responsibilities

Establish and sustain an independent research program relevant to mining and mineral systems.
Conduct fundamental or applied scholarship in intelligent mining systems and automation.
Contribute effectively to interdisciplinary and collaborative research, including collaboration across complementary technical disciplines.
Teach required undergraduate courses in the mining engineering curriculum.
Advise PhD students and mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
Identify curricular needs and develop new courses related to the candidate’s area of expertise.
Engage with the mining industry and contribute to the department’s research, education, and outreach activities.

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