Smart River Research Associate

Job Description

The Smart River Research Associate supports coastal research community engagement and sustainable resilience initiatives through the Smart River program. This full-time position is based at the Coastal Collaborator in Hampton and plays a key role in advancing Smart River research sensor technologies and stakeholder collaboration. The position works closely with researchers community partners and regional organizations to support applied research and outreach initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Sensor Research and Technology Development:
Collaborate with stakeholders to identify locations for sensor deployment across the Rappahannock River and its tributaries. Support the deployment maintenance and evaluation of sensor technologies and work with Virginia Tech researchers and partners on technology development and applied research projects.

Project Management:
Identify grant opportunities and assist in developing research proposals related to the Smart River Initiative. Coordinate project timelines milestones and reporting requirements including stakeholder updates IRB documentation and PEARS reporting. Facilitate written and verbal communication through virtual and in-person meetings.

Education and Outreach:
Deliver presentations coordinate meetings and educational programming and represent the VTCC at water research and community engagement events. Develop and publish educational materials related to Smart River technologies and initiatives.

Research Partnerships:
Serve as a liaison among research technology and education partners including Virginia Cooperative Extension university collaborators nonprofit organizations and tribal partners.

This is a restricted one-year appointment; as a result Virginia Tech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for this vacancy.

Required Qualifications

MS degree in a water-related STEM field such as Environmental Science Natural Resource Management Biological Systems Engineering or Biological Sciences. Knowledge of and experience conducting water quality research monitoring and management with preferred emphasis on Virginia rivers and the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Research experience to include field work deployment and monitoring of sensors scientific literature reviews citations data collection and analysis IRB determinations and project management. Ability to communicate science to decision makers practitioners and the public through public speaking and technical writing. Experience with academic research grant writing and grant administration. Ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment and develop productive partnerships and collaborations with stakeholders. Experience with managing multiple projects and timelines with attention to detail while collaborating with staff and partners. Proficient with office software package. High degree of comfort with learning new technologies and software. Self-starter with strong goal setting and planning skills. Ability for frequent and regular local travel to testing sites on the Rappahannock River and to meet with stakeholders in Fredericksburg and Stafford Virginia.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with AI programming data science digital twin GIS and/or remote sensing. Basic Knowledge of economics and ability to conduct cost benefit analysis.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$57000 - $60000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

June 10 2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a drivers license check with an acceptable and safe driving record.

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

We are unable to sponsor work visas for this position.

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 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 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.