Professor of Practice in Geotechnical Engineering

University of Texas at El Paso; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Texas at El Paso invites applications for a Professor of Practice in Geotechnical Engineering, beginning January 2027. The role focuses on developing and delivering a practice-oriented online geotechnical graduate program for working professionals, teaching in person and online, and mentoring students.

The successful candidate will bridge industry practice and academia, shaping CECE into a regional and national leader in professional education for geotechnical engineering, with

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in civil engineering with geotechnical specialization.
• 10+ years of professional geotechnical experience including investigation, analysis, design, or construction support.
• Evidence of teaching or mentoring; clear potential to teach graduate courses.
• Ability to explain technical material clearly and collaborate with students, faculty, and professional partners.

Responsibilities

• Develop and teach graduate courses in geotechnical engineering in person and online, including courses designed for working professionals.
• Help develop and assess the proposed online graduate curriculum in geotechnical engineering.
• Use geotechnical design projects, field investigation data, case studies, and current engineering practice in instruction.
• Mentor graduate students, including practicing engineers pursuing advanced education.
• Build partnerships with geotechnical consulting firms, contractors, transportation agencies, and other infrastructure stakeholders.
• Support student recruitment, professional outreach, and workforce development initiatives; and
• Evaluate course outcomes and contribute to program growth and the department's educational mission.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Teaching experience

Curriculum development

Industry partnerships

Graduate instruction

Online course design

Mentoring

Communication

Education

MS or PhD in civil engineering with geotechnical specialization

Job description

Professor of Practice in Geotechnical Engineering

The Department of Civil Engineering has 22 full-time faculty and 700 students enrolled in accredited BS in Civil Engineering, BS in Construction Engineering & Management, MS in Civil Engineering, MS in Construction Management, MS in Environmental Engineering, ME in Civil & Environmental Engineering, and PhD in Civil Engineering degree programs. The Department organizes and actively encourages its students to participate in its international programs, including the faculty-led study abroad programs to Brazil, Czech Republic, Mexico, Peru, as well as the Dual Master Degrees Program in Smart Cities with Czech Technical University. The civil engineering faculty members participate in research activities through the following centers affiliated with the Department: Center for Transportation Infrastructure Systems (CTIS); Center for Environmental Resource Management (CERM); NSF-Funded Engineering Research Center for Advancing Sustainability through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification (ASPIRE); USDOT-Funded Southern Plains Transportation Center (SPTC); USDOT-Funded Center for Efficient Mobility (CEM).

The Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering (CECE) at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) invites applications for a Professor of Practice in Geotechnical Engineering beginning January 2027.

Position Overview

This position presents a unique opportunity to help shape the future of professional graduate education in geotechnical engineering. The successful candidate will play a leading role in the development and delivery of a practice-oriented online geotechnical engineering graduate program designed for working professionals. Responsibilities include developing and teaching in person and online graduate courses, integrating real-world engineering applications and case studies into the curriculum, mentoring students, and strengthening partnerships with industry and government agencies.

The department seeks a candidate who can bridge industry practice and academic instruction while helping position CECE as a regional and national leader in professional education for geotechnical engineering. The candidate should be able to translate field investigation, analysis, design, and construction experience into clear, rigorous instruction.

Program Vision and Strategic Importance

Geotechnical engineering is fundamental to the planning, design, and construction of infrastructure systems, including shallow and deep foundations, retaining structures, embankments, slopes, ground improvement systems, tunnels, and transportation infrastructure. Demand for engineers with advanced geotechnical expertise especially in the area of reliability-based design, continues to grow as federal, state, and local investments in infrastructure expand.

Many practicing engineers need graduate education compatible with full-time work. CECE aims to combine flexible course delivery with technically rigorous, practice-based instruction.

CECE's fully online Master of Science in Construction Management program provides an existing model for graduate instruction designed for working professionals. Building on this model, CECE envisions an online master's degree in geotechnical engineering. The Professor of Practice will help develop the curriculum, teach courses, and support the program if approved.

This initiative aligns with the College of Engineering's strategic priorities of:

• Expanding professional graduate education;
• Strengthening engagement with industry partners;
• Supporting regional and national workforce development needs; and
• Advancing excellence in infrastructure engineering education.

Responsibilities

• Develop and teach graduate courses in geotechnical engineering in person and online, including courses designed for working professionals;
• Help develop and assess the proposed online graduate curriculum in geotechnical engineering;
• Use geotechnical design projects, field investigation data, case studies, and current engineering practice in instruction;
• Mentor graduate students, including practicing engineers pursuing advanced education;
• Build partnerships with geotechnical consulting firms, contractors, transportation agencies, and other infrastructure stakeholders;
• Support student recruitment, professional outreach, and workforce development initiatives; and
• Evaluate course outcomes and contribute to program growth and the department's educational mission.

Job Requirements

• An M.S. or Ph.D. in civil engineering or a closely related field with graduate coursework or professional specialization in geotechnical engineering;
• At least 10 years of substantial professional experience in geotechnical engineering, including responsibility for geotechnical investigation, analysis, design, or construction support;
• Evidence of effective teaching, technical training, or mentoring, or clear potential to teach at the graduate level; and
• Ability to explain technical material clearly and collaborate with students, faculty, and professional partners.

Preference will be given to candidates with

• Experience teaching at the university level or providing technical instruction to practicing engineers;
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, or eligibility and willingness to obtain licensure within three years of appointment;
• Experience leading geotechnical engineering work on transportation or other infrastructure projects;
• Experience in designing or teaching online courses;
• Established professional relationships with geotechnical consulting firms, public agencies, contractors, or infrastructure owners; and
• Experience developing graduate curricula or continuing education programs for practicing engineers.

Additional Information

Appointment and Salary

This is a 9-month, non-tenure-track Professor of Practice appointment with a competitive salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and experience.

In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries- including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident -about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at [phone], by email at [e-mail], or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 312.

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at [e-mail].

To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.