Assistant Professor (Sr Res)

Oregon State University; Corvallis (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon State University’s College of Engineering invites applications for a full-time, 12-month fixed-term Assistant Professor (Senior Research) position in the School of Civil & Construction Engineering in Corvallis. The role focuses on granular mechanics, solid-fluid transitions, and granular-continuum interactions, with opportunities to secure external funding and mentor students.

The incumbent will develop models and software for granular materials research, collaborate across OSU and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering or closely related field.
• Proven ability to secure research funding, lead 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.
• Experience working effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team with diverse groups.

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, and reporting.
• Publish high impact scientific journal articles.
• Support or co-lead sponsored research within the Geotechnical Engineering group.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students, and postdocs in data analysis, simulation, and writing.
• Provide training on software and simulation methods.
• Provide mentorship to undergraduate and graduate researchers and postdocs.
• Organize and teach seminars and workshops.

Skills

Granular mechanics

Data analysis

Simulation methods

Team collaboration

Research funding

Academic publishing

Education

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering

Tools

DEM software

Job description

Department

College of Engineering

Starting salary will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

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 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.

Qualifications

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.

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

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].