Assistant Research Professor, Larson Transportation Institute

Assistant Research Professor, The Larson Transportation Institute

Transportation Infrastructure Sensing, AI, and Material Engineering – The Pennsylvania State University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Term position. Anticipated start date:
June 2026. Length of term will be discussed during interviews and may be extended based on university need, performance, and funding availability.

• Terminal degree (Ph.D.) in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated research experience in transportation infrastructure sensing, pavement and/or railroad engineering, and infrastructure health monitoring.
• Experience in instrumentation, field monitoring, and nondestructive testing of infrastructure systems.
• Experience with data analysis, machine learning, or artificial intelligence modeling.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated record of peer‑reviewed publications.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.

• Embedded sensing technologies and field instrumentation.
• Pavement and railroad infrastructure monitoring.
• Finite element modeling and mechanistic analysis.
• Machine learning and data‑driven infrastructure evaluation.
• Nondestructive testing (FWD, GPR, sensors, etc.).
• Experience working with state DOT or federally funded research projects.
• Experience supervising students and coordinating research activities.

• Conduct and lead research on sensing‑enabled infrastructure monitoring, pavement and rail material characterization, and AI‑based modeling and evaluation.
• Assist the Principal Investigator in developing competitive research proposals and pursuing funding from federal agencies, state DOTs, and industry partners.
• Manage and coordinate research activities within the Rail CREST Center, collaborating with faculty, students, and external partners.
• Supervise and mentor graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and research staff.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams and industry partners to advance project objectives.
• Prepare high‑quality technical reports, peer‑reviewed publications, and presentations.
• Contribute to outreach, workforce development, and technology transfer activities associated with research projects and center activities.

• Curriculum Vitae.
• Statement of research interests and career goals.
• Three sample publications demonstrating the applicant’s most relevant and recent research experience.
• Names and contact information for at least three references.

Employment with the University requires successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, robust retirement plans, and a 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible spouses and children.

Penn State is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814‑865‑1473.