Assistant Professor, Structural Engineering

Lamar University•Beaumont, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Lamar University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in structural engineering. This is a nine-month appointment with an anticipated start date of August 2027. The anticipated annual workload is 40% teaching, 50% research, and 10% service. The successful candidate will teach multiple undergraduate and/or graduate courses each semester, with an anticipated two courses per semester (2-2). Teaching includes structural analysis, reinforced concrete design, steel design, and courses in the candidate’s specialization. The candidate will engage students through practical design problems, demonstrations, laboratory activities, and contemporary engineering software; thoughtfully integrate AI and emerging technologies while developing engineering fundamentals and judgment; advise and mentor students; and contribute to curriculum improvement and assessment. The candidate will establish and sustain an independent, externally funded structural engineering research program; pursue competitive funding; publish peer-reviewed scholarship; mentor undergraduate and graduate researchers; and develop experimental or computational research and partnerships addressing structural engineering challenges in Southeast Texas and beyond. Research interests may include structural mechanics and computational modeling; dynamics, vibrations, blast, and other extreme loading; resilience and rehabilitation; advanced materials and construction methods; experimental structural engineering; and structural health monitoring. Applications involving industrial, petrochemical, energy, offshore, coastal, and other infrastructure systems are welcome. AI, digital twins, and advanced simulation may complement these areas. Candidates need not specialize in every listed topic. Two high-bay laboratories with materials testing equipment and steel frames can support large-scale experimental testing, hands-on learning, and industry collaboration. The role also includes departmental, college, university, and professional service, such as curriculum improvement, accreditation, recruitment, outreach, and initiatives supporting student retention and career readiness. The candidate will build relationships that create opportunities for student projects and professional development, and collaborate with industry, public agencies, and academic partners. Work is primarily performed in an academic environment, including classrooms, offices, research laboratories, and other university facilities. The position may involve exposure to laboratory equipment, machinery, materials, and associated hazards. Compliance with university safety policies and applicable laboratory safety procedures is required. Occasional evening or weekend hours and travel may be required. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Requirements

Earned Ph.D. in civil engineering or a closely related field, specializing in structural engineering, by the time of appointment.
Prior teaching experience and preparation to teach structural analysis, reinforced concrete design, and steel design.
Commitment to energetic instruction, student success, and undergraduate and graduate mentoring.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to collaborate with students, faculty, and industry.
Professional Engineer (PE) license or a demonstrated pathway and commitment to obtaining licensure.
Demonstrated expertise in structural mechanics, analysis, and design.
Research and publication record appropriate to career stage.
Potential to establish an externally funded research program.
Ability to lift 25 lbs. and perform physical tasks including lifting, bending, stooping, squatting, stair climbing, and walking between buildings.
Authorization to work in the United States without visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Relevant structural engineering industry experience, including industrial, energy, offshore, coastal, or other infrastructure applications.
Experience teaching core or advanced structural engineering courses.
Experience using contemporary analysis and design software and applicable codes and standards.
Active Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
Experience mentoring student design projects, undergraduate research, or graduate research.
Experience with experimental testing, computational modeling, structural dynamics, vibrations, extreme loading, advanced materials, structural health monitoring, AI, or emerging technologies.
Experience developing research proposals, participating in sponsored research, or collaborating with industry.

Responsibilities

Establish and sustain an independent, externally funded research program in structural engineering.
Pursue competitive research funding and publish peer-reviewed scholarship.
Mentor undergraduate and graduate researchers.
Develop experimental or computational research and partnerships addressing structural engineering challenges in Southeast Texas and beyond.
Collaborate with industry, public agencies, and academic partners.
Teach multiple undergraduate and/or graduate courses each semester, with an anticipated assignment of two courses per semester (2-2).
Teach structural analysis, reinforced concrete design, steel design, and courses within the candidate’s specialization.
Engage students through practical design problems, demonstrations, laboratory activities, and contemporary engineering software.
Integrate AI and emerging technologies thoughtfully while developing engineering fundamentals and judgment.
Advise and mentor students and contribute to curriculum improvement and assessment.
Contribute to departmental, college, university, and professional service, including curriculum improvement, accreditation, recruitment, outreach, and student retention and career-readiness initiatives.
Build relationships that create opportunities for student projects and professional development.
Comply with university safety policies and applicable laboratory safety procedures.