Research Data Analyst

Virginia Tech • Arlington, VA

3d • $90,000 - $110,000

About The Position

Virginia Tech National Security Institute (VTNSI) seeks a Research Data Analyst for a beginning research position supporting the growth of its Intelligent Systems Division. The division conducts interdisciplinary research on national security challenges, including data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and complex systems engineering, and complex-system validation and test and evaluation. The analyst will contribute to team-based research, support research proposal development, and build skills in documenting and presenting research findings to sponsors and academic communities.

The role involves analyzing data, conducting literature reviews, designing numerical experiments, training and testing AI/ML models, and analyzing and communicating model and test results. Familiarity with statistics and AI/ML concepts such as design of experiments, time-series analysis, anomaly detection, natural language processing, large-scale data infrastructure, or test and evaluation is expected. Tools used include R, Python, Matlab, JMP, and Jupyter Notebooks. Applicants should have hands-on experience with tools relevant to their research area.

The successful candidate must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. A criminal conviction check is required. The position is exempt from overtime and is listed as a restricted appointment. Salary is $90,000–$110,000, commensurate with experience, for 40 hours per week.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• An earned master's or bachelor's degree in computer science, computational modeling and data analytics, data science, applied mathematics, or a related discipline or program.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team in executing research projects.
• Familiarity with statistics and AI/ML concepts, such as design of experiments, time-series analysis, anomaly detection, natural language processing, large-scale data infrastructure, or test and evaluation.
• Hands-on experience with tools germane to the applicant's research area.
• Familiarity with R, Python, Matlab, JMP, and Jupyter Notebooks.

Nice To Haves

• Active security clearance.
• Interest and/or experience working effectively with an interdisciplinary team.
• Experience working in an academic environment.
• Experience executing research and/or development programs supporting the federal government.

Responsibilities

• Perform exploratory data analysis, report summary statistics, and visualize data.
• Conduct literature reviews for relevant research areas.
• Design numerical experiments.
• Train and test AI/ML models.
• Compile and summarize AI/ML model testing results.
• Perform statistical analysis of data and test results.
• Participate in team-based research efforts.
• Support the development of research proposals.
• Assist with documentation and presentation of research results to sponsors and academic communities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level