Faculty Position in Physical AI and Assured Autonomous Systems

complex, dynamic, and uncertain environments. Of particular interest are candidates whose work advances assured autonomy by integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning with sensing, estimation, control, embedded and real-time computing, communications, and physical interaction. The position is based in Blacksburg, Virginia, with opportunities for collaboration across Virginia Tech's research institutes and the Institute of Advanced Computing in Alexandria, Virginia. The successful candidate will be expected to develop and sustain a nationally recognized, externally funded research program, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor students, and contribute to department, college, and university service and outreach activities. The ECE department offers B.S., M.Eng., M.S., and Ph. D. degree programs in both Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering with a current enrollment of approximately 1,350 undergraduate and 600 graduate students. The department has 71 full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty members and 22 non-tenure-track faculty located in two primary locations, which are the Blacksburg Campus and the Greater Washington, DC area including the new VT Institute of Advanced Computing Campus in Alexandria, Virginia. Annual research expenditures exceed $64M. Recognition of faculty accomplishments includes 4 members of the National Academy of Engineering, 32 Fellows of the IEEE, and various fellows of other professional societies, 27 current and prior NSF CAREER awardees, 1 DARPA Young Faculty Award, and 4 DoD Young Investigators. The latest Global Universities ranking by U.S. News & World Report places our department at #5 nationally in the Electrical and Electronic Engineering category. The department has some of the nation's best programs in the areas of fiber optics and photonics, space science and remote sensing, wireless communications and networking, power electronics, power systems, autonomous systems, embedded systems, and computational biology. The Department is the beneficiary of the Bradley Endowment valued in excess of $20 million. For additional information about the department and the College of Engineering, please visit www.ece.vt.edu and www.eng.vt.edu . We seek outstanding candidates whose research will help establish Virginia Tech ECE as a leader in the convergence of artificial intelligence and engineered physical systems. Priority will be given to work that couples rigorous foundations with deployable, experimentally validated systems. The search is organized around three complementary research pillars: (1) Physical AI and embodied intelligence, including multimodal perception, world models, learning-enabled control, foundation-model-enabled autonomy, planning, and intelligent interaction with the physical world; (2) assured autonomy, including safety, security, robustness, resilience, formal methods, verification and validation, test and evaluation, runtime assurance, trustworthy learning and control, and certifiable autonomous systems; and (3) networked and real-time autonomous systems, including multi-agent autonomy, cooperative robotics and swarms, communications-control co-design, edge and embedded AI, distributed sensing and estimation, human-autonomy teaming, and experimental cyber-physical platforms. Candidates whose work bridges these pillars and demonstrates validation through simulation, digital twins, hardware-in-the-loop, live-virtual-constructive environments, or field experimentation are especially encouraged. Application domains may include aerial, ground, maritime and underwater, space, advanced manufacturing, transportation, energy and power systems, wireless and networked systems, critical infrastructure, and other safety- or mission-critical environments. This position is intended to strengthen and connect several of ECE's distinctive capabilities, including autonomous systems and controls, artificial intelligence and machine learning, embedded and cyber-physical systems, wireless communications and networking, cybersecurity, semiconductors and intelligent hardware, sensing, and power and energy systems. By emphasizing Physical AI, assured autonomy, and networked/real-time cyber-physical systems, the position is designed to create a distinctive ECE-centered research profile that complements rather than duplicates conventional robotics or computer-science-focused AI programs. The successful candidate will be expected to build experimental platforms and collaborative research programs that bridge algorithms, controls, communications, computing, sensing, and hardware, and that position Virginia Tech for major federal and industry initiatives in AI for physical systems, robotics and autonomy, trustworthy and assured AI, cyber-physical systems, critical infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and national security. The candidate will teach undergraduate and graduate courses in areas such as control systems, robotics, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence and machine learning, embedded and cyber-physical systems, real-time systems, sensing and perception, communications for autonomous systems, or related topics, as well as specialized graduate courses in their research area. They will contribute to interdisciplinary initiatives across Virginia Tech, mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers, build collaborative research teams, and contribute to professional and university service activities. Applicants must apply online at jobs.vt.edu (posting number 538286). Application materials include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, up to three relevant research publications, and contact information for at least three references. In addition, applicants must provide three separate written statements (up to 3 pages each): (1) a research statement; (2) a statement of teaching and mentoring philosophy; and (3) a statement expressing the candidate's ideas for supporting an educational environment consistent with the Virginia Tech Principles of Community -specific examples of experiences, activities, and plans will help us identify candidates who can support and extend our university's commitment to inclusive excellence. Review of applications will commence on Jan 20, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.

Required Qualifications

An earned Ph. D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field, completed prior to employment.

Demonstrated research and scholarly contributions, or potential for such contributions, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, research projects, or other relevant scholarly activities.

Demonstrated ability to develop a research agenda in Physical AI, assured autonomous systems, controls and learning, networked autonomy, cyber-physical systems, embedded intelligence, robotics, or a closely related area, with potential for external funding and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Demonstrated ability to communicate technical and scientific information effectively through scholarly publications, presentations, teaching, or collaborative research activities.

Demonstrated teaching experience or potential to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in electrical and computer engineering or related disciplines, including the ability to use instructional technologies in educational settings.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience as PI or Co-PI on funded research projects, or strong evidence of potential to establish an externally funded research program.

Ability and willingness to collaborate with faculty from a variety of disciplines and to build multi-investigator research teams.

Experience working with or mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in research.

Interest or experience working effectively with a diverse student population.

Demonstrated theoretical, computational, or experimental expertise in one or more of the following three areas is highly desirable: Physical AI and embodied intelligence: multimodal perception, world models, foundation-model-enabled autonomy, learning for control and planning, sensorimotor intelligence, and intelligent interaction with the physical world; Assured autonomy: safe and trustworthy learning and control, formal methods, verification and validation, test and evaluation, runtime assurance, robustness, resilience, security, uncertainty-aware decision-making, and certifiable autonomous systems; Networked and real-time autonomous systems: robotics, multi-agent and cooperative autonomy, communications-control co-design, human-autonomy teaming, edge/real-time AI, distributed sensing and estimation, embedded intelligence, and experimental cyber-physical platforms

Candidates should also demonstrate the ability and enthusiasm to teach foundational ECE courses in areas such as controls, embedded systems, robotics, artificial intelligence/machine learning, cyber-physical systems, communications/networking, or computer engineering, as well as advanced electives in Physical AI and autonomous systems.

Particularly strong candidates will show the ability to connect foundational research with experimental platforms, large collaborative programs, and application domains aligned with ECE and Virginia Tech strengths.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$120,000-$150,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

Jan 20, 2027, and continue until the position is filled.

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Cole Tankersley at cpt19@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.