Assistant or Associate Professor in Experimental Space Physics and Radar Remote Sensing

Virginia Tech • Blacksburg, VA

4d

About The Position

The Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at Virginia Tech invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Experimental Space Physics and Radar Remote Sensing, expected to begin in August 2027. The appointment may be at the assistant or associate professor rank. The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching in experimental space physics and radar remote sensing, as well as related ECE topics such as satellite communications, electromagnetics, antennas, and RF propagation. The candidate may also participate in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program in Remote Sensing.

The candidate will develop an externally sponsored research program and contribute to scholarly activity, departmental, college, and university service, and student mentorship consistent with Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community. The successful applicant will contribute to the Center for Space Science and Engineering Research (Space@VT), whose research facilities support experimental and computational research. Its capabilities include the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) Space Weather Radar Facility; Virginia Tech is a PI institution in the international SuperDARN collaboration. 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.

The department has nearly 100 faculty members, more than 500 full-time graduate students, and more than 1,000 undergraduate students. Virginia Tech is a comprehensive land-grant university with more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students and more than $500 million in annual research activity, as stated in the position description. The university encourages applications from candidates who will contribute to inclusive excellence in research, teaching, and service.

Applicants must apply online and provide 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 with the design, development, operation, or analysis of 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

• Develop and conduct scholarly research in experimental space physics, radar remote sensing, or a closely related field, including pursuing externally sponsored research.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in areas aligned with experimental space physics and radar remote sensing, as well as related ECE subjects.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Contribute to the Center for Space Science and Engineering Research (Space@VT).
• Contribute to departmental, college, and university service.
• Support inclusive excellence in research, teaching, and service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree