Research Scientist, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Daytona Beach Campus

The Opportunity

The Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Daytona Beach campus invites applications for a Research Scientist to support and lead research in autonomy, safe machine learning, and cyber-physical systems. The position will work closely with the principal investigator, graduate students, and collaborators on funded and proposed projects involving autonomous systems, advanced air mobility, unmanned aerial vehicles, modeling and simulation, verification and validation, cybersecurity, and decision-making under uncertainty.

This is an opportunity to contribute to the Flexible & Intelligent Complex Systems Research Group through research design, prototype development, simulation-based evaluation, scholarly publication, proposal development, and student mentoring. The successful candidate will deepen expertise in one or more areas relevant to the group while helping build research programs that create meaningful opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and support research proposals for federal, state, and industry sponsors, including identifying new research opportunities and helping shape competitive technical concepts.
• Design experiments; develop research prototypes, models, simulation environments, and testbeds; and analyze results related to autonomous and cyber-physical systems.
• Conduct high-quality research in areas such as safe and trustworthy AI/ML, autonomous and multi-agent systems, simulation-based evaluation, cyber-physical system resilience, aviation and aerospace systems, and security of autonomous platforms.
• Prepare manuscripts, conference and journal submissions, technical reports, presentations, and other research products that communicate findings to academic, government, and industry audiences.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students by helping define research problems, guiding technical implementation, reviewing manuscripts, and supporting strong conference and journal submissions.
• Coordinate research activities and contribute to the operation, outreach, and scientific events of the research group as needed.

About us

For over 100 years, Embry-Riddle has been the world's leading aviation and aerospace university, educating more than 30,000 students across residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, as well as through a global network of Worldwide locations and online programs. With more than 165,000 alumni around the world, our impact reaches every corner of the aerospace, aviation, defense and technology industries.

Today, our faculty, researchers and professional staff are advancing innovation across aviation, space, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and next-generation engineering. Working alongside industry leaders, government agencies and innovators, they are solving real-world challenges and shaping the technologies that will define tomorrow.

Whether you are an educator, researcher, administrator, technologist or industry professional, your work at Embry-Riddle will contribute to something bigger than a job. Join a community driven by discovery, purpose and excellence-and help shape the future of aerospace.

Perks Await You at Embry-Riddle!

• Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26.
• Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes 6% of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution - with no vesting period.
• Generous Time Off: Enjoy up to 18 days of paid leave in your first year, including 3 days granted upon hire and 15 days accrued throughout the year. You'll also receive 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, systems engineering, or a closely related field.
• Research experience demonstrated through publications, proposal development, funded-project support, or comparable scholarly work.
• Technical expertise in at least one relevant area, such as machine learning, autonomous systems, modeling and simulation, multi-agent systems, verification and validation, cybersecurity, embedded systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, or cyber-physical systems.
• Strong writing, communication, programming, analytical, and mentoring skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting or leading sponsored research proposals.
• Experience developing research prototypes, simulation testbeds, or experimental platforms for aviation, aerospace, or autonomous systems.
• A record of translating research results into peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, or externally funded research opportunities.

Application process/requirements

Review of applications will begin in November 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.

To submit your application for this opportunity, please visit the Embry-Riddle Career Site and search for requisition number R312246. Please attach all relevant materials to your application when you apply online. Complete submissions include:

• Cover letter
• Full CV
• Contact information for at least three professional references (please note that references may be contacted as part of the interview/screening process)

Current Embry-Riddle employees: Please apply directly through the ERAU Employee Hub Central application within Workday.

Embry-Riddle is committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We strive to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students are treated fairly and provided equal opportunities for employment, advancement, compensation, training, and other benefits of employment. Embry-Riddle makes employment decisions - including hiring, promotions, compensation, and other terms of employment - based on individual merit, qualifications, and abilities. Embry-Riddle is strongly opposed to discrimination and harassment, and such behavior is prohibited by university policy. Embry-Riddle does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics, age, religion, or pregnancy status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, in its employment, educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, or other school-administered programs or activities. For further information, please visit our website.

Embry-Riddle is not seeking assistance from staffing or recruitment agencies. All agencies are directed to contact eraujobs@erau.edu and should not reach out to hiring managers or staff.