Smart River Sensor 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 basedat 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 tosupport 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 sens ortechnologies, and work with Virginia Tech researchers and partner son 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 andin-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, andgrant 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 staffand partners. Proficient with office software package. High degreeof 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 GISand/or remote sensing. Basic Knowledge of economics and ability toconduct cost benefit analysis.

Overtime Status

Exempt:
Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$57,000 - $60,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

June 10, 2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a driver'slicense 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 motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve),Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking ahands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to beleaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout theworld, 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, sitesin 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…