Research Scientist, Senior

The Senior Research Scientist is part of the Institute for Software Integrated Systems at Vanderbilt University and is a leader responsible for conducting advanced ground-breaking research in all areas of Software- Integrated Systems. Persons in this position are expected to grow their own externally funded research program and/or to contribute to the success of sponsored research projects at the Institute. Reporting directly to the Professor the Senior Research Scientist is expected to work on specific research topics relevant for the project collaborate with other researchers and potentially supervise engineers and graduate students as needed.

The Institute for Software Integrated Systems (ISIS) conducts basic and applied research in the area of systems and information science and engineering. Applications of its technology span a wide range of software-intensive systems from small embedded devices through real-time distributed systems to globally deployed complex systems. Software is increasingly essential to the functions of these systems and it is also the primary means of adapting them to their environments and users. Our research interests lie in the theoretical foundations modeling design engineering and educational aspects of these systems.

Duties and Responsibilities
A Senior Research Scientist conducts advanced ground-breaking research in areas of Software-Integrated Systems. The Senior Research Scientist is a key contributor to the success of sponsored research projects at ISIS serving as a functional lead on a team of researchers composed of staff engineers and graduate students. The Senior Research Scientist is expected to gradually develop his or her own research profile projects and sponsored activities eventually taking on a leading role as Co-PI or PI on one or more project(s). Key functions and expected performance include the following:

Research 60%

• Directly contributes to the technical mission(s) of ISIS and our sponsors through activities including analysis modeling testing design activities and publication of research results
• Maintains familiarity with emerging knowledge technologies techniques relevant to ISIS research discipline(s) and strategic goals
• Obtains independent external funding; demonstrates ability to maintain and grow sponsor- funded research
• Define develop and sustain research directions for the Institute
• Track emerging research opportunities
• Develop and submit research proposals to appropriate research programs
• Organize teams for proposal writing and project execution
• Lead research projects as Principal Investigator and/or serve as Co-Principal Investigator on research projects and/or serve as domain expert on research projects
• Lead and participate in the development of research products: academic publications prototype software tools and systems and technical reports for sponsors
• Develop and lead internally supported research activities
• Develop connections and maintain a presence in the academic industrial and government research community nationally and internationally
• Serve as a key contributor to the success of the Institute by providing intellectual and managerial leadership in research activities
• Serves in leadership roles in projects researching decision-making under uncertainty and multi- agent systems his work has found large-scale applications in the domains of public transportation healthcare and emergency response guiding students teaching a newly created course on decision-making under uncertainty

Project Management 40%

• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to reach desired project outcomes
• Provides leadership and direction to team members
• Communicates regularly effectively and professionally with sponsors
• Functionally oversees work of research staff and graduate students
• Develop maintain and grow relationships with sponsors to support the growth of the research program

Supervisory Relationships: This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but indirectly manages research engineers and/or graduate assistants supporting the project. Direct supervisory responsibilities may be required at a later time based on project needs. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Professor.

Qualifications

• A bachelors degree in computer science engineering or a related field is required.
• A Ph.D. or equivalent in a relevant field including engineering computer science mathematics or physics with 2-5 years experience is strongly preferred. A maximum of 2 years of research completed while working towards the Ph.D. may be counted toward this total.
• An ability and desire to participate in collaborative efforts is required.
• A commitment to the institutional mission and aspiration to participate in an advanced research program is required.
• A demonstrated ability to design and implement project plans is required.
• An ability to direct work of research staff and graduate students is required.
• An established reputation in the immediate professional community (e.g. cooperating researchers sponsoring agencies or industry) is preferred.
• An emerging national reputation signified by engineering/research products used by others or publications in established journals or national/international conferences is preferred.