Grainger Engineering: Assistant Professor - Civil and Environmental Engineering

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign•Urbana, IL

About The Position

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeks a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor in Rail Systems, Operations, and Safety. The successful candidate will advance research and education in rail transportation and engineering and join a department focused on fundamental discovery, disciplinary rigor, and translating innovations into practice to address societal challenges. The appointee will establish and sustain an independently funded research program, teach undergraduate and graduate courses in rail transportation and engineering and related areas, advise and mentor students, and contribute to a welcoming educational environment. The role also involves working with industry and government sponsors and partners, pursuing research collaborations within and beyond the department, and providing service to the department, university, and profession. Exceptional applicants in all areas relevant to rail transportation and engineering will be considered. Areas of interest include railway systems, operations, and safety, such as rail capacity analysis and modeling; network planning and analysis; resiliency and sustainability; freight and passenger operations; advanced train control; computer-aided railway traffic control; system and operational optimization; automated or autonomous train operations; train operating mechanics and dynamics; railway energy efficiency and motive power; rail environmental engineering; integrated passenger and freight system safety and risk analysis; terminal system design and operations; rail transit; and high-speed and intercity passenger rail. The department is home to the Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC), which leads the National University Rail Center of Excellence, a nine-university consortium funded by the Federal Railroad Administration. RailTEC partners with the Association of American Railroads, railroads, the rail supply industry, and public-sector rail organizations. Its facilities include the Research and Innovation Laboratory, a dedicated facility for investigating railway infrastructure and components. Illinois also offers a rail transportation and engineering curriculum, a cooperative virtual course exchange with KTH in Sweden, and opportunities to engage with faculty, centers, and research facilities across campus. The position is on a nine-month service basis and paid over twelve months. The anticipated start date is August 16, 2027, negotiable. The role is benefits-eligible and eligible for work authorization sponsorship. The budgeted salary range is $120,000 to $135,000, with the offered salary commensurate with qualifications and experience and taking internal equity into account. Applications must be received by November 30, 2026, for full consideration; applications may be accepted until the position is filled.

Requirements

Doctoral degree in Civil Engineering, Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering field by the appointment start date.
Demonstrated potential to establish an independent research program.
Strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring students at all levels.
Ability to work with a variety of industry and government sponsors and partners.

Responsibilities

Initiate and sustain a vigorous, independently funded research program in rail transportation and engineering.
Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in rail transportation and engineering and related areas of expertise.
Advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students and contribute to a welcoming educational environment.
Work effectively with industry and government sponsors and partners.
Pursue research collaborations within and beyond the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Provide service to the department, university, and profession.