Full Professor in intelligent mining systems and automation

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

26d•$110,000 - $170,000•Onsite

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 in intelligent mining systems and automation. Areas of specific interest include, but are not limited to: 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. We seek an innovative and collaborative scholar who will contribute to the department’s collegial, interdisciplinary environment and strengthen its longstanding excellence in fundamental and applied research, education, and engagement with the mining industry. Highly qualified and distinguished applicants may be eligible for a named professorship that will provide salary and operational support. The Virginia Tech Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering has long-established excellence in the field, including two current and former National Academy of Engineering members and several top ranked global scholars. The recently renovated Holden Hall, the long-term home of the department, provides state-of-the-art facilities for department personnel, including the Autonomous Mining Arena. The department also enjoys close partnership with industry, and currently convenes the Built for the Mine partnership, an education and research-oriented collective that includes 12 leading mining technology companies and producers. The department currently has nearly 20 tenure-line, instructional, and research faculty members and is home to over 120 undergraduate and graduate students. The department’s teaching, research, and operations are centered around core values that include Technical Excellence, Leadership, Community, and Resilient Creativity. The successful candidate will have a PhD in Mining Engineering or a closely related field at time of appointment, a strong record of academic accomplishments and a proven ability to work collaboratively, a commitment to interdisciplinary research and instruction, and a willingness to expand disciplinary boundaries to address complex technical and societal challenges. The successful candidate will have a high potential to build an independent, coherent, and robust area of scholarship; the ability to effectively advise PhD students, the ability to teach required undergraduate courses in our curriculum, and identify needs for and develop new courses. Applicants must apply online at jobs.vt.edu. Application materials include a cover letter, CV, up to three relevant research publications, and contact information for at least three professional references. In addition, applicants must provide a research statement and a statement of teaching and mentoring philosophy (up to 3 pages each). Review of applications will commence on November 1, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Nino Ripepi ([email protected]).

Requirements

A PhD in mining engineering or a closely related field at 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, including one or more areas such as mine systems, optimization and digitization; autonomous mining; robotics and intelligent machines; artificial intelligence and machine learning for mining applications; digital twins; human-machine interaction; data analytics and real-time decision-making; or closely related areas.
A record of scholarly accomplishment, or demonstrated potential for scholarly impact, commensurate with the candidate's career stage and proposed rank.
The potential to establish and sustain an independent, externally supported research program that advances fundamental or applied scholarship relevant to mining and mineral systems.
The demonstrated ability to contribute effectively to interdisciplinary and collaborative research, including work that connects mining engineering with complementary technical disciplines.
A proven ability to work collaboratively, contributing to or leading interdisciplinary team commensurate with rank.
The work history showing the ability and interest to teach and mentor students effectively at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including contributing to core mining engineering instruction and developing curricular offerings related to the candidate's area of expertise.

Nice To Haves

A record of 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, safety engineering or related fields.
Industrial experience or sustained engagement with the mining, minerals, automation, or related technology sectors.

Responsibilities

Contribute to the department’s collegial, interdisciplinary environment.
Strengthen its longstanding excellence in fundamental and applied research, education, and engagement with the mining industry.
Build an independent, coherent, and robust area of scholarship.
Effectively advise PhD students.
Teach required undergraduate courses in our curriculum.
Identify needs for and develop new courses.