Assistant or Associate Professor in Experimental Space Physics and Radar Remote Sensing
About The Position
The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) seeks a tenure-track faculty member in Experimental Space Physics and Radar Remote Sensing, with an anticipated start date of August 2027. The position may be filled at the assistant or associate professor rank. The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching, develop externally sponsored research and scholarly activity, mentor students, and participate in departmental, college, and university service. Teaching areas include experimental space physics and radar remote sensing, as well as related ECE subjects such as satellite communications, electromagnetics, antennas, and RF propagation. The candidate may also participate in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program in Remote Sensing. The appointee will contribute to Virginia Tech’s Center for Space Science and Engineering Research (Space@VT), which brings together researchers and partners across space science, remote sensing, satellite systems, and space engineering. Research facilities support experimental and computational work, including the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) Space Weather Radar Facility. Virginia Tech is a principal investigator institution in the international SuperDARN collaboration, which operates a worldwide network of HF space weather radars. Additional research resources and collaboration opportunities are available through the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science, the National Security Institute, and Virginia Tech Advanced Research Computing. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in electrical engineering, space physics, applied physics, or a closely related field by the appointment start date. The university seeks candidates with demonstrated research experience and scholarly productivity or potential, an ability or potential to develop externally funded research, and an ability or potential to teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students. Applications are submitted online and should include a cover letter, current CV, contact information for three professional references, and statements describing research, teaching, and professional goals. Review begins November 30, 2026, and continues until the position is filled. The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
Requirements
- Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Space Physics, Applied Physics, or a closely related field by the appointment start date.
- Demonstrated research experience in experimental space physics, radar remote sensing, ionospheric physics, space weather, or a closely related field.
- Evidence of scholarly productivity or potential through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or other recognized research contributions.
- Demonstrated ability or potential to develop an externally funded research program, evidenced by research proposals, sponsored research participation, or a clearly articulated research agenda.
- Demonstrated ability or potential to teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in electrical and computer engineering or related disciplines.
Nice To Haves
- Research experience involving high-frequency (HF) radar systems, ionospheric remote sensing, or space weather observations.
- Experience designing, developing, operating, or analyzing radar and remote sensing systems, including SuperDARN or comparable observational networks.
- Record of peer-reviewed scholarly publications in experimental space physics, radar remote sensing, or related disciplines.
- Experience securing or contributing to externally sponsored research funding from federal agencies, industry partners, or other research sponsors.
- Experience teaching undergraduate or graduate courses in electromagnetics, antennas, RF propagation, satellite communications, or related ECE subjects.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching in experimental space physics, radar remote sensing, and related ECE topics.
- Develop externally sponsored research and engage in scholarly activity.
- Contribute to the University’s Center for Space Science and Engineering Research (Space@VT).
- Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in a manner consistent with Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community.
- Contribute to departmental, college, and university service.
- Potentially participate in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program in Remote Sensing.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
