Smart River Sensor Research Associate

Job Description The Smart River Research Associate supports coastal research,community engagement, and sustainable resilience initiativesthrough the Smart River program. This full-time position is basedat the Coastal Collaborator in Hampton and plays a key role inadvancing Smart River research, sensor technologies, andstakeholder collaboration. The position works closely withresearchers, 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 sensordeployment across the Rappahannock River and its tributaries.Support the deployment, maintenance, and evaluation of sensortechnologies, and work with Virginia Tech researchers and partnerson technology development and applied research projects. Project Management: Identify grant opportunities and assist in developing researchproposals related to the Smart River Initiative. Coordinate projecttimelines, milestones, and reporting requirements, includingstakeholder updates, IRB documentation, and PEARS reporting.Facilitate written and verbal communication through virtual andin-person meetings. Education and Outreach: Deliver presentations, coordinate meetings and educationalprogramming, and represent the VTCC at water research and communityengagement events. Develop and publish educational materialsrelated to Smart River technologies and initiatives. Research Partnerships: Serve as a liaison among research, technology, and educationpartners, including Virginia Cooperative Extension, universitycollaborators, nonprofit organizations, and tribal partners. This is a restricted, one-year appointment; as a result, VirginiaTech is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas for thisvacancy. Required Qualifications MS degree in a water-related STEM field such as EnvironmentalScience, Natural Resource Management, Biological SystemsEngineering or Biological Sciences. Knowledge of and experienceconducting water quality research, monitoring, and management withpreferred emphasis on Virginia rivers and the Chesapeake Baywatershed. Research experience to include field work deployment andmonitoring of sensors, scientific literature reviews, citations,data collection and analysis, IRB determinations, and projectmanagement. Ability to communicate science to decision makers,practitioners, and the public through public speaking and technicalwriting. Experience with academic research, grant writing, andgrant administration. Ability to work in an interdisciplinaryenvironment and develop productive partnerships and collaborationswith stakeholders. Experience with managing multiple projects andtimelines 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. Abilityfor frequent and regular local travel to testing sites on theRappahannock River and to meet with stakeholders in Fredericksburgand 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 criminalconviction 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 institutionthat enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout theworld, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, andcreativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverseenrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, andprofessional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presenceacross 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 researchannually. Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professionaldevelopment opportunities and university shared governance . These valuablecontributions to university shared governance provide importantrepresentation and perspective, along with opportunities for uniqueand impactful professional development. Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, orapplicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (includingpregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, geneticinformation, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation,race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, orotherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquireabout, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensationof other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protectedby law. 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