Assistant Professor - Structural Engineering and Materials - Civil
Job Class Code: 10031
FLSA: Exempt
Posting Number: FRGV1898
Location: Rio Grande Valley, Texas
Division/Organization: Provost - Academic Affairs
Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position:
Tenure Status: Tenure Track
FTE: 1.0
Scope of Job:
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/.
Minimum Qualifications:
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.
Discipline Specific Required Qualifications:
- 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.
Preferred Qualification:
- 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.
Salary: Commensurate with Qualifications and Experience
License or Certification Required?: No
Number of Vacancies: 1
Desired Start Date: 09/01/2026
EEO Statement:
It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status. In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment. We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.
Open Date: 11/03/2024
Special Instructions to Applicants:
All applications must be submitted via the UTRGV application portal at https://careers.utrgv.edu. Complete all sections on the application. If you are applying for the first time, please complete all biographical information including address, email, and phone number. You may update this at any time by selecting to edit your profile in the application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Security sensitive: All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check (CBC). CBCs will be conducted for all candidates invited for an on-campus interview.
Additional Information:
UTRGV is a distributed institution. As such and as assigned, the position may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Work is performed primarily in a general office environment. This position is security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code 51.215. The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Please Note:
Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-based test score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Incomplete applications will not be considered. All positions are subject to budget approval.
To apply, visit https://careers.utrgv.edu/postings/49215
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