Assistant Professor - Structural Engineering and Materials - Civil

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley•Edinburg, TX

46d

About The Position

We seek applicants who are dedicated to serving The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's student body as a tenure-track Assistant Professor with a focus on Structural Engineering and Materials (SEM), beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year. The successful candidate is expected to develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses related to SEM topics, including steel design, mechanics of materials, and civil engineering materials. Candidates should demonstrate a strong capacity for developing high-quality research, disseminating research in top venues, securing external grants, and building multi-disciplinary collaborations. Research areas of interest may include, but are not limited to, large-scale structural testing of steel structures/bridges, multiscale modeling and characterization, computational structural mechanics, resilient and sustainable infrastructure systems, nondestructive testing, sustainable construction materials, 3-D printing and design innovation in structural engineering, structural health monitoring, and reliability and probabilistic risk assessment. Preference will be given to candidates who can establish multidisciplinary and large-scale experimental-based research initiatives that align with the research centers within our department, particularly NSF CREST Center for Multidisciplinary Research Excellence in Cyber-physical Infrastructure Systems (MECIS), USDOT Safety21 National University Transportation Center, and USDOT University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) (see more details here: https://www.utrgv.edu/cecs/departments/cive/research/index.htm) as well as the newly established interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs at the College of Engineering and Computer Science, including the Materials Science and Engineering program and the Computer Science with Interdisciplinary Applications program (see more information here: https://www.utrgv.edu/programs/phd-materials-science-engineering.htm and https://www.utrgv.edu/programs/phd-computer-science-interdisciplinary-applications.htm). This position also entails a strong commitment to service within the department, college, and university, including mentoring students, participating in outreach activities, and developing internship and professional mentoring programs. About UTRGV: UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success. By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of university discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service. Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience. By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration. UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations. Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond. Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students. For additional information, please visit UTRGV website. Department Background: The UTRGV Civil Engineering Department is dedicated to delivering a comprehensive and high-quality education that prepares students for leadership roles in the civil engineering field. The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE), equipping students with the foundational and advanced knowledge necessary to excel in various civil engineering practices. Accredited by ABET, the programs ensure adherence to the highest standards of engineering education. The curriculum spans multiple civil engineering disciplines, including Structural, Geotechnical, Transportation, Water Resources, and Environmental Engineering. The department has experienced consistent growth in student enrollment, reflecting the rising demand for civil engineers in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond, with over 850 students currently enrolled. Fostering a collaborative learning environment, the department encourages hands-on experiences through internships, research projects, and involvement in professional organizations like the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE). With a diverse faculty of over 18 full-time professors, the department emphasizes cutting-edge research in sustainable infrastructure, smart cities, climate change impacts, and advanced materials, providing students with opportunities to engage in real-world challenges through competitive research funding. In addition, the department hosts several research centers, including the NSF CREST Center for Multidisciplinary Research Excellence in Cyber-Physical Infrastructure Systems (MECIS), the USDOT Safety21 National University Transportation Center, and the USDOT University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) (see more details here: https://www.utrgv.edu/cecs/departments/cive/research/index.htm). College Background: The College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) is one of the fastest growing colleges at UTRGV. The College recently founded a Ph.D. program in computer science with interdisciplinary applications and an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in materials science and engineering. The College also houses several research centers such as the Center for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation and Cyber Systems (CAMICS), the Center for Nanotechnology, the Industrial Assessment Center, the NSF Center for Multidisciplinary Research Excellence in Cyber-Physical Infrastructure Systems (MECIS), the University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS). For further information regarding UTRGV and the College, please visit our websites at https://www.utrgv.edu/cecs/.

Requirements

Applicants must hold an earned Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Structural/Materials Engineering, or a related field from an accredited university. All but Dissertation (ABD) will be considered if degree is conferred no later than the start date.
Ability to develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in structural steel design.
Evidence of high-quality research in Structural and Materials Engineering (SEM).
Potential to attract and secure externally funded research projects involving large-scale testing of steel structures.

Nice To Haves

Ability to teach structural steel design, construction materials, and other SEM discipline courses.
Strong record of academic achievements and publications in reputable journals.
Documented success in securing research funding through proposals to external agencies such as NSF, USDOT, TxDOT, DOE, and others.
Ability to conduct multidisciplinary research supporting the Ph.D. program in Computer Science with Interdisciplinary Applications or the Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering.
Ability to effectively mentor undergraduate and graduate students.

Responsibilities

Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses related to SEM topics, including steel design, mechanics of materials, and civil engineering materials.
Demonstrate a strong capacity for developing high-quality research, disseminating research in top venues, securing external grants, and building multi-disciplinary collaborations.
Commitment to service within the department, college, and university, including mentoring students, participating in outreach activities, and developing internship and professional mentoring programs.

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