Geotechnical R&D Engineer - Field & Data Analytics

Arizona International; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 76,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full Benefits

Job summary

The University of Arizona's Geotechnical Center of Excellence is seeking an R&D Engineer/Scientist II to support applied research, field data collection, and professional development courses on mine stability and slope monitoring.

The role involves deploying sensors, acquiring data, testing, and preparing technical reports across campus, laboratories, and active mine sites, with travel to industry events as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute field data collection and testing programs related to highwall safety and slope monitoring.
• Install, calibrate, and operate sensors; collect and process data; contribute to technical reports.
• Develop and maintain professional geotechnical courses; prepare materials and assessments.
• Coordinate project tasks, monitor progress, and review student work for quality and accuracy.
• Communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Slope stability

Field data collection

Instrumentation deployment

Technical writing

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical/Geological engineering or related

Tools

RocScience

FLAC

Python

Job description

R&D Engineer/Scientist II
Posting Number	req27135
Department	Sch Mining Engr Mineral Res
Department Website Link	https://mining.arizona.edu/
Location	Tucson Campus
Address	Tucson, AZ USA
Position Highlights	The Geotechnical Center of Excellence (GCE) is an industry-funded and stakeholder-led organization within the University of Arizona's School of Mining Engineering and Mineral Resources dedicated to advancing mine safety and geotechnical innovation. The R&D Engineer supports applied research, field data collection, and professional development courses focused on mine stability, highwall safety, and thermal imaging-based rockfall detection. Working under general supervision of senior research staff, this position assists with instrumentation deployment, data acquisition, and testing activities, including field work on active mine sites. Much of this work will occur in real mine environments and may require moving safely between office, laboratory, and field settings. While the role reports to senior staff, the ability to work independently and exercise good judgement in field and office settings is strongly valued. Fieldwork at active mine sites and occasional travel to industry events are expected. For more information about the Geotechnical Center and the Engineering department at the University, click here mining.arizona.edu/gce Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more! The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.
Duties & Responsibilities	Applied Research & Field Support: Participate in planning and execution of field data collection and research testing programs related to highwall safety, slope performance monitoring, and thermal imaging applications. Work will occur both on campus and on active mine sites. Coordinate & Support installation, calibration, and operation of sensors, collect and process data, perform preliminary analyses, contribute to technical documentation and serve as co-author / presenter of written reports, abstracts and publications In collaboration with senior research staff. Professional Development Support: Collaborate with senior staff and industry advisors to develop and maintain professional courses on geotechnical topics. Prepare course materials and draft assessments (e.g., quizzes, knowledge checks). Support editing and organizing contributor content (including video editing). Provide participant and instructor support during course delivery, including live webinar facilitation and logistics. Collaboration & Growth: Work closely with senior staff to coordinate project tasks, communicate progress, and review student and undergraduate assistant work products for accuracy, completeness, and data quality. Participate in team discussions, field campaigns, and collaborative problem-solving. Take on progressively greater responsibility as skills develop. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Foundational understanding of geotechnical engineering and slope stability principles. Ability to work independently on defined tasks and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams. Strong communication skills and attention to detail in data handling and documentation. Interest in emerging technologies for mine slope monitoring and data analytics. Demonstrated ability to coordinate tasks, track progress, and keep workstreams organized to support timely completion of deliverables. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly document methods, summarize findings, and communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Basic experience with data collection and analysis in field or research settings. Strong technical writing and organizational skills. This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.
Minimum Qualifications	Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, or a related discipline. Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
Preferred Qualifications	Experience with geotechnical instrumentation, slope monitoring data, or remote sensing applications. Experience with geotechnical software (e.g., RocScience suite, FLAC) and data visualization tools. Experience using Python or similar scripting languages for data processing, automation, or visualization is considered a plus. Experience writing technical material (e.g. methods, results, or data summaries) and/or contributing to conference abstracts, presentations, or publications.
FLSA	Exempt
Full Time/Part Time	Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week	40
Job FTE	1.0
Work Calendar	Academic
Job Category	Research
Benefits Eligible	Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay	$75,540 - $98,201
Compensation Type	salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Grade	10
Compensation Guidance	The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity. The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.
Career Stream and Level	PC2
Job Family	Research Engineering
Job Function	Research
Type of criminal background check required:	Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies	1
Target Hire Date
Expected End Date
Contact Information for Candidates	Julia Potter, Director, Geotechnical Center of Excellence [e-mail]
Open Date	9/23/2026
Open Until Filled	Yes
Documents Needed to Apply	Resume and Cover Letter
Special Instructions to Applicant
Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report	In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures. Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].