Assistant Professor (Sr Res)

OSU Oregon State University; Corvallis (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon State University in Corvallis invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, fixed-term Assistant Professor (Senior Research) position focusing on granular mechanics and related wear mechanisms. The role requires leading research proposals, mentoring students, and developing software/algorithms for granular materials research.

The incumbent will collaborate across OSU, secure external funding, publish in top journals, and contribute to multidisciplinary efforts in civil and construction

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering or closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to acquire research funding, lead research projects, and contribute to the research program.
• Strong publication record in quality peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences.
• 3 years of demonstrated experience in granular mechanics, or closely related materials area, in industry, academic, and/or postdoctoral research.
• Experience working effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team with diverse groups of students, researchers, and staff.
• This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq.

Responsibilities

• Perform duties of principal investigator (PI) or co-PI, or senior personnel including leading or contributing to the development of research proposals, maintaining project budgets, corresponding with program managers, and preparing required project reports.
• Publish high impact scientific journal articles.
• Support or co-lead sponsored research within the Geotechnical Engineering group.
• Support undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers in data analysis, simulation, and writing.
• Provide training to undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral researchers on specific software and simulation methods.
• Provide mentorship to undergraduate and graduate student researchers, and postdoctoral researchers.
• Periodically organize and teach seminars and workshops.

Skills

Granular mechanics

Discrete modeling

Wear mechanisms

Research funding

Mentoring

Data analysis

Software development

Collaborative skills

Education

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering

Tools

DEM software

Job description

Department: College of Engineering

For additional information please contact: T. Matthew Evans [e-mail]

Job Summary

The College of Engineering, School of Civil & Construction Engineering, invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Assistant Professor (Senior Research) position. Reappointment is at the discretion of the School Head. This position conducts research in granular mechanics and granular-continuum wear mechanisms. Incumbent will have expertise in several of the following research topics: solid-fluid transitions in granular materials; discrete and continuum modeling methods; granular-continuum mechanical interactions; and rock, soil, and debris behavior. Incumbent will secure external funding to directly support this position and other aspects of this research program. Collaborate and engage in interdisciplinary research with faculty in mechanics and materials and across OSU, nationally, and internationally, mentor students, help in the development of models, algorithms, and software for granular materials research.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform duties of principal investigator (PI) or co-principal investigator (co-PI), or senior personnel including leading or contributing to the development of research proposals, maintaining project budgets, corresponding with program managers, and preparing required project reports.
• Publish high impact scientific journal articles.
• Support or co-lead sponsored research within the Geotechnical Engineering group.
• Support undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers in data analysis, simulation, and writing.
• Provide training to undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral researchers on specific software and simulation methods.
• Provide mentorship to undergraduate and graduate student researchers, and postdoctoral researchers.
• Periodically organize and teach seminars and workshops.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to acquire research funding, lead research projects, and contribute to the research program in Civil and Construction Engineering.
• Strong publication record in quality peer-reviewed journals and presentations at conferences.
• 3 years of demonstrated experience in granular mechanics, or closely related materials area, in industry, academic, and/or postdoctoral research.
• Experience working effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team with diverse groups of students, researchers, and staff.
• This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. focus in constitutive of discrete modeling of granular materials.
• Demonstrated experience working with various discrete element method (DEM) software.
• Proposal preparation experience.
• Mentoring of undergraduate, graduate and/or postdoctoral researchers.

Working Conditions/Schedule

The incumbent will typically have flexibility in their specific working hours but would be expected to generally be available during normal business hours for meetings and discussions related to projects. They may occasionally be subject to tight deadlines, which may sometimes require extended work hours for limited periods. The incumbent may periodically travel to conferences and scientific meetings.

Salary Range

Salary is commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

Anticipated Start Date

2026-09-16

Anticipated End Date

2027-06-30

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring.

We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system.

If this position has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities and/or driving duties and you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job‑related pre‑employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.).

Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate.

Take a look at our Background Checks website including the for candidates section for more details.

If you have questions or concerns about the pre‑employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at [e-mail].

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job! Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem‑solvers and change‑makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep‑rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

Facts

• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide

Locations

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport. Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state‑of‑the‑art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life.
• OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical care insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Title IX and Equity Statements

Oregon State University, in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, including Title IX and its regulations, does not unlawfully discriminate and prohibits discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, including in academic admissions and employment. The university prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin (including ancestry and ethnicity), citizenship, marital or family status, pregnancy or related conditions, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status / service in the uniformed service, or any other status protected by law or OSU policy. Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to OSU’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (link to https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr), or both. OSU’s Title IX Coordinator is the Executive Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA). For information on OSU’s nondiscrimination policy and procedures, including how to report information about conduct that may constitute discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, contact EOA by phone: [phone], email: [e-mail], mail/location: 330 Snell Hall, Corvallis OR 97331, or visit EOA’s website: eoa.oregonstate.edu. Know Your Rights Oregon Family Leave Act: Department of Labor Family and Medical Leave Act:

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring.

We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.