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R&D Engineer 3 (7120U) - Civil & Environmental Engineering

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit grow.berkeley.edu.

Departmental Overview

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at UC Berkeley is a worldwide leader in developing engineering solutions to societal-scale challenges. Berkeley CEE conducts cutting-edge research in evolving and vital areas that address societal needs for well-designed and well-operated buildings, energy, transportation, and water systems. These critical systems must be reliable and resilient in the face of hazards such as earthquakes and flooding. Extensive efforts will be needed to adapt civil infrastructure to withstand adverse changes in weather and climate. Our research and teaching serve the needs of a growing and increasingly urban world population that requires sustainable improvements in standards of living.

Berkeley CEE research establishes and advances the intellectual foundations of new fields of study. We develop theory and improve understanding, and provide tools and techniques for solving important new problems. The educational activities of Berkeley CEE focus on developing future leaders in the engineering profession, in academia, and in the broader societal context. Through individual and collective efforts, Berkeley CEE serves the needs of our College and University and provides technical expertise and service to other public, private, and professional entities.

This job involves professional engineering and engineering technician support as part of academic instructional and research laboratories and engagement in research and industry-services projects and programs. Engineering activities include the design, construction, testing of experimental systems in the laboratory and in the field, operation of analytical systems, establishment of performance specifications, and documentation and the execution of soil and rock testing.

The College of Engineering at UC Berkeley is recognized for its educational and research excellence, consistently ranking amongst the top three engineering schools in the country. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) is one of the most complex academic departments within the College and on campus. US News and World Report has for many years ranked CEE's graduate program in civil engineering #1 in the nation. CEE offers a rigorous academic education that prepares students for leadership in the profession of civil and environmental engineering. The Geosystems program is part of the CEE Department and has a very long and strong legacy in geotechnical engineering. Geosystems Faculty, students, and researchers have been pioneers in research directions that have shaped the geotechnical engineering profession. The Faculty have active research programs that are supported by State of the Art geotechnical engineering laboratory and field testing facilities that include original, and prototype experimental devices, as well as more conventional testing devices. Developing, further upgrading and maintaining these valuable facilities under the direction of the Laboratory Director and the Geosystems Faculty requires the engagement of a R&D Engineer 3 (R&D E3) with advanced and specific training in this field. The R&D E3 will also serve the geotechnical engineering industry by conducting industry-funded work.

This is a fulltime (100% FTE), 2-year contract position with the possibility of extension.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: March 25, 2024 - Open Until Filled

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and conduct testing program for specific projects funded by the industry, government or other research agencies. Prepare material needed for approvals from the University for the execution of the work, in collaboration with Faculty. Develops and furthers upgrades and maintains original, and prototype experimental devices, as well as more conventional testing devices.
• Conduct laboratory and in-situ testing as part of industry-based or other (federal, state) funding. Laboratory testing will include a wide variety of testing from conventional soil and rock characterization to advanced testing such as static, dynamic, triaxial, simple shear, and shaking table experiments, as well as large-size testing associated with the Center for Smart Infrastructure (CSI). Field testing will be part of the field activities conducted by the Geosystems Sensing and Analytics Laboratory (GeoSAL), which is also part of the CSI.
  Independently responsible for providing high-level seasoned professional geoengineering knowledge and support for instructional and demonstration laboratories for graduate and undergraduate courses in CEE. Provide in-depth field-specific knowledge on requisite engineering principles and practices in the supervision of experimental research programs. Implements new systems to improve the visualization of key soil parameters and responses in an instructional setting. Custom designs and develops unique geoengineering laboratory equipment in order to demonstrate particular concepts and ensure teaching and research goals are met.
• Drawing on advanced engineering experience and education, assist and advise faculty, other researchers and graduate students in the development of innovative laboratory test methods and apparatus, including advanced test control, measurement and data acquisition.
• Maintain the laboratories in an outstanding condition, organize, calibrate and manage Geosystems laboratory equipment so that it is operational for research and industry-funded testing. Coordinate the repair of equipment and acquisition of new equipment and ensure new equipment is properly maintained.
• Support the Geosystems program laboratories and research centers (e.g. Center for Smart Infrastructure) in outreach activities, such as demonstrations of testing, educational outreach programs, and preparation of promotional material related to the laboratories.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Thorough knowledge and experience with engineering principles and methods to independently perform the full range of engineering professional design work.
• Thorough knowledge necessary to apply principles, practices and procedures in the completion of assignments.
• Demonstrated organizational and decision-making abilities to prioritize competing work assignments in order to meet deadlines and adherence to quality standards.
• Strong analytical and judgment skills to independently conduct analyses and develop appropriate recommendations.
• Effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work in a collaborative manner; identify challenges and barriers and recommend resolutions.
• Ability to lead and influence others.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience, training.
• Advanced degree in geotechnical engineering or a related engineering field.
• Experience (as part of a degree or professional employment) with geotechnical laboratory testing.
• Instructional experience in a geoengineering laboratory environment.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $85,800 to $100,000 yearly. This is a 2-year contract position eligible for benefits.

Other Information

This is a fulltime (100% FTE), 2-year contract position with the possibility of extension.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.



For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, please see the University of California Discrimination, Harassment, and Affirmative Action in the Workplace policy.





To apply, visit https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucb/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=21&JobOpeningId=66153&PostingSeq=1