Director of Research and Development, Center for Geospatial Information Technology

Job Description

The Director of Research and Development for CGIT will lead interdisciplinary applied research at the intersection of geospatial analytics artificial intelligence and national security. The director will expand Virginia Techs research portfolio in environmental intelligence by linking forest and watershed science with mission-critical needs related to defense infrastructure resilience and hazard preparedness.
The director will serve as a member of both the CGIT and NSI leadership teams and will be responsible for building collaborative funded research programs that integrate Virginia Techs expertise in AI and machine learning geospatial data science and environmental modeling within secure and operational environments. A central responsibility of the role is the development of a diversified sustainable research funding portfolio that includes federal state industry and foundation partners. Following an initial three-year start-up period the director is expected to sustain the position through externally supported research contracts and partnerships consistent with the mission of CGIT and NSI.
The appointment will include a research professorial rank (e.g. research assistant professor research associate professor or research professor) to be confirmed upon hire. For qualified candidates a tenure-track or tenured appointment may be made in an appropriate academic department. Final rank will be determined at the time of offer.

Required Qualifications

- Doctoral degree in geospatial science environmental science systems engineering computer science or a closely related field
- Demonstrated record of research excellence in geospatial analytics AI and machine learning or environmental modeling relevant to national security resilience or hazard management
- Proven funding success as Principal Investigator on externally sponsored research including federal or defense-related agencies
- Credentials aligned to the research professorial rank offered
- Experience integrating geospatial and defense intelligence data systems
- Demonstrated record of developing multidisciplinary funded programs that integrate technical organizational and policy dimensions of environmental systems
- Familiarity with emerging AI and machine learning applications for environmental sensing and decision support
- U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD TS/SCI security clearance
- Strong collaboration communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Preferred Qualifications

- Established professional networks within DoD DHS NOAA USFS or related agencies
- Track record of building and scaling research portfolios supported by diverse funding sources
- Experience mentoring researchers and students in interdisciplinary or secure research environments
- Recognized thought leadership in environmental resilience geospatial intelligence or AI applications for natural systems

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with Experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

March 17 2026

Additional Information

The appointment will include a research professorial rank (e.g. research assistant professor research associate professor or research professor) to be confirmed upon hire. For qualified candidates a tenure-track or tenured appointment may be made in an appropriate academic department. Final rank will be determined at the time of offer.

The Director of Research and Development for CGIT will lead interdisciplinary applied research at the intersection of geospatial analytics artificial intelligence and national security. The director will expand Virginia Techs research portfolio in environmental intelligence by linking forest and watershed science with mission-critical needs related to defense infrastructure resilience and hazard preparedness.

The director will serve as a member of both the CGIT and NSI leadership teams and will be responsible for building collaborative funded research programs that integrate Virginia Techs expertise in AI and machine learning geospatial data science and environmental modeling within secure and operational environments. A central responsibility of the role is the development of a diversified sustainable research funding portfolio that includes federal state industry and foundation partners. Following an initial three-year start-up period the director is expected to sustain the position through externally supported research contracts and partnerships consistent with the mission of CGIT and NSI.

The appointment will include a research professorial rank (e.g. research assistant professor research associate professor or research professor) to be confirmed upon hire. For qualified candidates a tenure-track or tenured appointment may be made in an appropriate academic department. Final rank will be determined at the time of offer.

Key Mission Areas

Operational Geospatial Intelligence for Natural Systems Potential

• Develop shared data and decision platforms integrating satellite aerial and in-situ sensor data for forests watersheds and coastal systems vulnerable to extreme weather

• Deploy AI and machine learning analytics for early detection of risk including wildfire flooding wind damage and debris flows

• Deliver real-time dashboards and situational awareness briefings to agency partners

Critical Infrastructure and Installation Resilience Opportunities

• Map vulnerabilities of military installations energy corridors and transportation networks that depend on upstream forest resilience and sustainable water management

• Align data streams with national readiness and resilience frameworks through NSIs defense network

National Environmental Threat Monitoring Opportunities

• Establish a joint CGITNSI operations capability providing situational awareness during active disasters and extreme events

• Integrate environmental modeling with secure data infrastructure to deliver operational intelligence products to funding agencies or partners

Education Workforce Development and Security Opportunities

• Train graduate students and analysts through dual-track fellowships in geospatial environmental intelligence

• Utilize NSI secure facilities to host classified or sensitive briefings for partner agencies

• Develop a workforce pipeline prepared for roles in agencies such as FEMA NOAA USFS DoD and the intelligence community

Position location is planned in the Virginia Tech Research Center in Arlington VA with the opportunity to visit collaborators on the Blacksburg campus as required. A primary work location in Blacksburg may be considered requiring regular travel to Greater Washington DC area.

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

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt 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 aninclusive communitydedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors 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 numerousExtension officesandresearch 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.