Research Assistant Professor

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln seeks a Research Assistant Professor in the fields of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Mechanical and Materials Engineering. The ideal candidate will manage and conduct research studies related to roadside safety and associated projects while maintaining strong ties with industry and governmental agencies. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking safety research and project funding acquisition.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1.5 years of research experience in roadside safety or impact engineering.
• Experience with LS-DYNA and numerical analysis methods.
• Ability to prepare and submit proposals for funding.

Responsibilities

• Manage research studies in roadside safety and motorsports safety.
• Serve as Principal Investigator on research studies.
• Prepare and submit research proposals and budgets.

Skills

Research experience

Non-linear dynamic analysis

Finite element analysis (FEA)

Technical presentation

Education

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Working Title:

Research Assistant Professor

Department:

Midwest Roadside Safety Facility-1070

Requisition Number:

F_250024

Posting Open Date:

03/14/2025

Application Review Date: (To ensure consideration, please submit all application materials before review date):

04/15/2025

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Description of Work:

The Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) and Mechanical and Materials Engineering (MME) seek to hire a research assistant professor who will be closely affiliated with the Midwest Roadside Safety Facility (MwRSF), https://mwrsf.unl.edu/, a College of Engineering research entity. The successful applicant will have requisite experience in MwRSF’s core research areas to handle future proposals and projects from the U.S. DOT (FHWA), U.S. DOD (Air Force, Army Corps of Engineers, UARC/NSRI/USTRATCOMM, etc.), State Departments of Transportation, private industry, etc.

MwRSF has spent over 34 years developing its internationally-recognized, roadside safety research program. During the last 23 years, MwRSF has developed significant expertise and garnered remarkable international recognition in the area of motorsports safety. Further, MwRSF has also expanded into other related areas, such as: vehicle behavior, handling, and occupant safety; force protection, physical security, and threat mitigation; crash reconstruction; rail crashworthiness and safety; and crash data analysis, vehicle-to-infrastructure systems, and connected vehicle safety technologies.

The research faculty position will:

1. Manage, conduct, and participate in various research studies within fields of roadside safety, motorsports safety, force protection, physical security, threat mitigation, crash analysis, and other areas to be determined.
2. Serve as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) on research studies.
3. Perform non-linear, dynamic, finite element analysis (FEA) and design for various research studies involving low- to high-energy impact events using LS-DYNA and other applicable numerical analysis methods/computer simulation codes.
4. Prepare and submit proposals/budgets to acquire new funding.
5. Meet with prospective clients to develop research partnerships and funded projects.
6. Prepare, write, review, and edit research reports, refereed journal articles, conference papers, research summaries, and status/progress reports.
7. Prepare and provide technical presentations for research sponsors.
8. Prepare, conduct, and manage structural analysis and material characterization studies.

As an EO/AA employer, the University of Nebraska considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See https://www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination.Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely-related field, plus a minimum of 1.5 years of research experience in the areas of roadside safety, impact engineering, and crash mitigation.
• Experience with non-linear, dynamic, finite element analysis (FEA) and design for use in research studies involving low- to high-energy impact events using LS-DYNA and other applicable numerical analysis methods/computer simulation codes.
• Experience with material characterization studies, such as those involving dynamic loading with large soil deformations, steel fracture, concrete fracture, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge and/or research experience in two of more of the following areas:
  1. Computer simulation with vehicle dynamics codes, such as CARSIM, ADAMS, etc.
  2. Crash reconstruction of vehicle collisions into roadside safety hardware and geometric features.
  3. Force protection, physical security, and threat mitigation strategies.
  4. Motorsports safety.
  5. Product development and innovation.
  6. Rail crashworthiness and safety.
  7. Run-off-road crash analysis.
  8. Human biomechanics.
• Experience preparing and submitting proposals/budgets for new funding.
• Experience presenting technical information for research sponsors.
• Experience leading technical discussions and meetings with a variety of audiences.
• Professional registration/licensure within your field of engineering expertise. Successful candidates without professional licensure will be expected to obtain licensure within two years of hire.

Work Location (City, State):

Lincoln NE

Criminal History Background Check Required:

No

How to Apply:

Click “Apply for this Job” and complete the information form. Attach the following documents:

1. A single-page cover letter explaining your interest in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
2. Your curriculum vitae.
3. Research statement. Attach as “Other Document.”
4. A list of at least three professional references.

For questions or accommodations related to this position contact:

Cathy Norquest
[e-mail]

Job Category (old):

Faculty Non-Tenure Leading

Job Type:

12 Month (Faculty Only)

Position funded by grant or other form of temporary funding?:

Yes

Organizational Location:

Default Location