The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at South Dakota State University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering with a focus on Transportation Engineering. We are seeking a scholar who is excited to contribute to our growing program through innovative teaching, impactful research, and meaningful engagement with students and industry partners. Located in Brookings, South Dakota, this is a full-time, 9-month, benefit-eligible position with an anticipated start date of August 2026. The position reports to the Department Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Civil Engineering, with the undergraduate program accredited by ABET. The department is currently enjoying new and renovated facilities, growth in graduate education and research, and strong ties to regional constituents.
Key attributes of the department include:
- Faculty and staff who are deeply committed to student success and strongly engaged with employers.
- Membership in CTIPS, a U.S. DOT–sponsored university transportation center.
- Recently remodeled spaces providing high-quality classrooms, offices, and laboratories, including the Lohr Structures Laboratory, HDR Environmental Laboratory, Fluid Mechanics Laboratory, Transportation Engineering Laboratory, Asphalt and Binder Laboratory, Geotechnical Laboratory, and Materials Laboratory.
- Strong growth in externally funded research and graduate programs.
- Faculty and students who are actively engaged in community service.
- An award-winning ASCE student chapter.
- Opportunities for innovative interdisciplinary research within SDSU as well as with researchers at other institutions.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will:
- Teach and develop undergraduate and graduate courses in civil engineering, with an emphasis on transportation engineering.
- Advise undergraduate and graduate students and guide student research.
- Develop and maintain an externally funded research program in transportation engineering. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, intelligent transportation systems, transportation safety and efficiency, traffic operations, transportation data analytics and/or resilient transportation systems.
- Engage in professional activities and contribute to service at the department, college, university, and professional levels.
SALARY: The salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications, starting at $92,000.
BENEFITS:
SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ph.D. in Civil Engineering or closely related field with emphasis on Transportation Engineering received by start date.
- Have at least one earned degree at any level in Civil Engineering from an ABET accredited program or provide evidence of teaching coursework at an ABET accredited program.
- Ability or potential to establish an externally funded research program in one or more of the following areas of intelligent transportation systems, transportation safety and efficiency, traffic operations, transportation data analytics and/or resilient transportation systems.
- Ability to or potential to effectively teach undergraduate and graduate courses in transportation engineering.
- Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Position closes November 20, 2025.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
SDState accepts applications through an on-line employment site. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.” This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, Curriculum Vitae, a Teaching Statement (3-page limit, attached as other), a Research Statement (3-page limit, attached as work of writing sample), and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDState Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.
Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.
SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.
For questions on the position, contact Dr. Guanghui Hua at Guanghui.Hua@sdstate.edu.
