Research Associate - ECE
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA · Posted May 22, 2026
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Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 62 open research associate listings that state pay, the middle half runs $60,000 to $95,500 and the median is $73,500.
Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.
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AI use among life, physical, and social science technicians, all other is little observed so far. Measured exposure for life, physical, and social science technicians, all other: 10% (little observed).
Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.
About the job
Job Description
Applications are invited for a Research Associate position with the Systems Software Research Group (http://www.ssrg.ece.vt.edu/) at Virginia Tech's Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The position involves conducting research in program analysis toward developing efficient and scalable tools for reasoning about binary security properties.
Required Qualifications
- Master's degree in computer science or computer engineering - Expertise in program analysis, fuzzing, sanitization, and their state-of-the-art tools - Excellent communication skills - Ability to work under limited supervision.
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong expertise with fuzzing and sanitization tools such as AFL++, ASan, and UBSan - Strong expertise with AI/ML systems and LLM tools
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
61,800 - 75,000, Commensurate with experience
Hours per week
40
Review Date
Dec 7, 2026
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut 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 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, sites in 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 perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Cole Tankersley at cpt19@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.