Job Summary
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Lamar University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in structural engineering. This is a nine-month appointment with an anticipated start date of August 2027 (Fall 2027). We seek an energetic educator and researcher with strong foundations in structural mechanics, structural analysis, reinforced concrete design, and steel design. Teaching is a central responsibility: the successful candidate will teach multiple courses each semester, engage students with enthusiasm, and support student success. Research interests may include structural mechanics and computational modeling; dynamics, vibrations, blast, and other extreme loading; resilience and rehabilitation; advanced materials and construction methods; experimental structural engineering; and structural health monitoring. Applications to industrial, petrochemical, energy, offshore, coastal, and other infrastructure systems are welcome. AI, digital twins, and advanced simulation may complement these areas. Candidates need not specialize in every listed topic. Two high-bay laboratories with materials testing equipment and steel frames can support large-scale experimental testing, hands-on learning, and industry collaboration. The successful candidate will pursue external research funding, mentor students, and contribute to service. The anticipated annual workload is 40% teaching, 50% research, and 10% service.
Teaching: Teach multiple undergraduate and/or graduate courses each semester, with an anticipated assignment of two courses per semester (2-2). Provide effective, enthusiastic instruction in structural analysis, reinforced concrete design, steel design, and courses within the candidate's specialization. Engage students through practical design problems, demonstrations, laboratory activities, and contemporary engineering software. Integrate AI and emerging technologies thoughtfully while developing engineering fundamentals and judgment. Advise and mentor students and contribute to curriculum improvement and assessment.
Research: Establish and sustain an independent, externally funded research program in structural engineering. Pursue competitive funding, publishing peer-reviewed scholarships, and mentoring undergraduate and graduate researchers. Develop experimental or computational research and partnerships addressing structural engineering challenges relevant to Southeast Texas and beyond. Collaborate with industry, public agencies, and academic partners and maintain research activity consistent with the assigned workload and tenure expectations.
Service: Contribute to departmental, college, university, and professional service, including curriculum improvement, accreditation, recruitment, outreach, and initiatives supporting student retention and career readiness. Build relationships that create opportunities for student projects and professional development.
Essential Job Functions
- Establish and sustain an independent, externally funded research program in structural engineering. Pursue competitive funding, publishing peer-reviewed scholarships, and mentoring undergraduate and graduate researchers. Develop experimental or computational research and partnerships addressing structural engineering challenges relevant to Southeast Texas and beyond. Collaborate with industry, public agencies, and academic partners and maintain research activity consistent with the assigned workload and tenure expectations.
- Teach multiple undergraduate and/or graduate courses each semester, with an anticipated assignment of two courses per semester (2-2). Provide effective, enthusiastic instruction in structural analysis, reinforced concrete design, steel design, and courses within the candidate's specialization. Engage students through practical design problems, demonstrations, laboratory activities, and contemporary engineering software. Integrate AI and emerging technologies thoughtfully while developing engineering fundamentals and judgment. Advise and mentor students and contribute to curriculum improvement and assessment.
- Contribute to departmental, college, university, and professional service, including curriculum improvement, accreditation, recruitment, outreach, and initiatives supporting student retention and career readiness. Build relationships that create opportunities for student projects and professional development.
Minimum and Desired Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Education Required: An earned Ph.D. in civil engineering or a closely related field, with a specialization in structural engineering, is required by the time of appointment. Prior teaching experience and preparation to teach structural analysis, reinforced concrete design, and steel design, with a commitment to energetic instruction, student success, and undergraduate and graduate mentoring. Strong oral and written skills; ability to collaborate with students, faculty, and industry; and a Professional Engineer (PE) license or a demonstrated pathway and commitment to obtaining licensure. Demonstrated expertise in structural mechanics, analysis, and design; a record of research and publications appropriate to career stage; and potential to establish an externally funded research program.
Desired Qualifications
Relevant industry experience in structural engineering, including industrial, energy, offshore, coastal, or other infrastructure applications. Experience teaching core or advanced structural engineering courses and using contemporary analysis and design software and applicable codes and standards. Active Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. Experience mentoring student design projects, undergraduate research, or graduate research. Experience with experimental testing, computational modeling, structural dynamics, vibrations, extreme loading, advanced materials, structural health monitoring, AI, and emerging technologies. Experience developing research proposals, participating in sponsored research, or collaborating with industry.
Supplemental Information
Key Competencies:
- Teach multiple courses each semester with enthusiasm, connect structural engineering fundamentals to professional practice, and develop engaging curricula that support student success.
- Develop and sustain an externally funded structural engineering research program and involve undergraduate and graduate students in research.
- Explain complex technical concepts clearly and integrate engineering software, AI, and emerging technologies while strengthening analytical skills and engineering judgment.
- Collaborate with colleagues and industry partners and contribute to departmental, university, and professional service.
Physical Requirements: Able to lift 25 lbs. and be able to perform a variety of physical tasks including lifting, bending, stooping, squatting, stair climbing, and walking between buildings.
Job Conditions: Work is primarily performed in an academic environment, including classrooms, offices, research laboratories, and other university facilities. The position may involve exposure to laboratory equipment, machinery, materials, and associated hazards while conducting research or supervising instructional activities. Compliance with university safety policies and applicable laboratory safety procedures is required. The position may require occasional evening or weekend hours to accommodate teaching, research, student activities, and university events. Occasional travel may be required for professional conferences, research collaborations, and other university-related activities.
Pay Range: Commensurate
Special Note: We are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.
Who We Are
Home to more than 18,000 students, Lamar University is among the fastest growing Texas colleges and universities. LU is a member of The Texas State University System, which is the first higher education system of Texas and maintains the lowest average tuition and fees of any university system in Texas. With more than 120-degree options and a community that cares, Lamar students are always proud to be Cardinals. Lamar University strives to educate leaders, demonstrate excellence in student learning and career readiness, and pursue research with relevance.
Lamar University is committed to fostering an environment of teamwork where all students, faculty, and staff can learn, work, and become a part of our community.
Benefits:
- Health, dental & vision insurance
- Life insurance
- State of Texas Retirement plans
- Tuition covered at 100% for employees, spouses and/or eligible dependents
- Paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays
To see more information about the available benefits, please visit: Benefits - Lamar University
Finalists for this position are subject to a criminal history background check, employment history check, and off-list reference checks. Applicants are required to sign an authorization for release of prior employment records to Lamar University. We will only contact prior employers and off-list references for finalists.
Lamar University is An Equal Opportunity Employer
Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003.
This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.
