Postdoctoral Associate – AI Tools for Research Administration and Development

Virginia Tech • Blacksburg, VA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Research and Innovation at Virginia Tech invites applicants for a postdoctoral associate. We are seeking a well-qualified applicant who will engage stakeholders to explore opportunities for and develop a medium-term plan for using artificial intelligence tools to support research administration, strategy, and development. The candidate will work with stakeholders to understand opportunities and challenges faced by the research community and explore opportunities to use AI to meet those needs. Examples of opportunities that may emerge include reducing administrative load, improving faculty pre- and post-award service, strengthening compliance support, generating better research intelligence, and creating a scalable model for responsible AI use in research administration. The successful applicant will work closely with ORI Information Technology (IT), Electronic Research Administration (ERA), and Data & Analytics teams to develop and share best practices, understand available data and security challenges, build sustainable solutions, and provide expert perspective on using AI.

Requirements

• PhD in computer science, statistics, data analytics, business administration, or related areas
• PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.
• Experience developing sustainable, secure, AI-enabled solutions intended for end-user use.
• Awareness of administrative or business processes and decision making
• Experience working with and engaging stakeholders or customers to understand needs and requirements
• Experience making medium- to long-term project plans
• Strong communication skills

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with proprietary or sensitive financial and administrative data
• Experience with process mapping and/or process improvement
• Experience building solutions within policy, legal, and contractual requirements as part of a larger team

Responsibilities

• Engage stakeholders to explore opportunities for and develop a medium-term plan for using artificial intelligence tools to support research administration, strategy, and development.
• Work with stakeholders to understand opportunities and challenges faced by the research community and explore opportunities to use AI to meet those needs.
• Reduce administrative load, improve faculty pre- and post-award service, strengthen compliance support, generate better research intelligence, and create a scalable model for responsible AI use in research administration.
• Work closely with ORI Information Technology (IT), Electronic Research Administration (ERA), and Data & Analytics teams to develop and share best practices.
• Understand available data and security challenges.
• Build sustainable solutions.
• Provide expert perspective on using AI.

Benefits

• Endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities
• University shared governance opportunities

What This Job Offers

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