Summary
The Office of Research and Innovation at Virginia Tech is seeking a highly qualified Postdoctoral Associate to explore, plan, and develop AI tools to enhance research administration, strategy, and development. The successful candidate will collaborate with stakeholders, IT, Electronic Research Administration (ERA), and Data & Analytics teams to create secure, sustainable AI solutions that reduce administrative burdens, strengthen compliance, and improve overall research intelligence.
Postdoctoral Associate – AI Tools for Research Administration and Development, Virginia Tech, US
Designation
Postdoctoral Associate (Research Faculty)
Key Details
| Category | Information |
| Job ID | 537218 |
| Department | Vice President for Research / Research/Interdisc. Prog. – Admin |
| Appointment Type | Restricted |
| Hours per week | 40+ |
| Overtime Status | Exempt: Not eligible for overtime |
| Salary | $60,000; commensurate with experience |
Research Area
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools for Research Administration, Strategy, and Development.
Location
Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
Eligibility/Qualification
Required Qualifications:
- 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 of 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.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 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.
Job Description
The candidate will work with stakeholders to understand the opportunities and challenges faced by the research community and explore how AI can meet those needs. Responsibilities include developing a medium-term plan to use AI tools for supporting research administration. Potential opportunities to be explored include:
- Reducing administrative load.
- Improving faculty pre- and post-award service.
- Strengthening compliance support.
- Generating better research intelligence.
- 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 data and security challenges, build sustainable solutions, and provide an expert perspective on using AI. Note: A criminal conviction check is required.
How to Apply
Interested candidates can apply online directly through the Virginia Tech careers page by filling out the application form in the “Apply Now!” section.
Last Date for Apply (Review Date)
August 12, 2026
