Job Summary
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Lamar University invites applications for an Instructor of Civil Engineering. This is a nine-month, non-tenure-track appointment with an anticipated start date of August 2027 (Fall 2027). The position combines laboratory-intensive teaching with responsibility for the readiness, maintenance, safety, and effective use of the major laboratories under the department. The successful candidate will teach multiple courses each semester and…
contribute to design courses, senior-level civil engineering design, and senior design as appropriate to qualifications and departmental needs. This position emphasizes practice-based engineering education and industry engagement characteristic of a Professor of Practice role, with the official appointment title of Instructor. We seek a practical, organized educator who enjoys working directly with students, connects engineering principles to testing and design, and develops engaging hands-on learning experiences. Laboratory duties include equipment maintenance and service coordination, safety procedures, instructional preparation, computing and software coordination, inventory management, and purchasing support. The successful candidate will work with faculty, university support units, vendors, and student assistants to support reliable operations and student success. The anticipated academic-year workload is 60% teaching, 30% laboratory operations, and 10% service. Summer assignments are addressed under Job Conditions.
Teaching: Teach multiple courses each semester, with an anticipated assignment of three courses per semester (3-3), emphasizing laboratory-intensive civil engineering instruction. Contribute to civil engineering design courses, senior-level design courses, and senior design as appropriate to qualifications and departmental needs. Develop practical experiments, instructional materials, and assessments that strengthen experimental skills, data interpretation, technical communication, teamwork, and engineering judgment. Mentor students in safe practice and professional responsibility and integrate contemporary engineering tools and emerging technologies into instruction.
Laboratory Operations: Coordinate readiness and operation of departmental laboratories with faculty and university support units. Maintain equipment inventories, maintenance schedules, calibration records, and operating procedures. Perform routine maintenance within training and coordinate specialized repairs. Prepare equipment and materials for instruction; coordinate access, scheduling, and assigned student assistants. Implement university safety procedures and document training. Coordinate laboratory computers, software, instrumentation, and data acquisition with IT. Prepare purchase requests, obtain quotations, track supplies, and recommend equipment upgrades. Support faculty and student projects within available capacity and assigned workload.
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.
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.
Essential Job Functions
- Teach multiple courses each semester, with an anticipated assignment of three courses per semester (3-3), emphasizing laboratory-intensive civil engineering instruction. Contribute to civil engineering design courses, senior-level design courses, and senior design as appropriate to qualifications and departmental needs. Develop practical experiments, instructional materials, and assessments that strengthen experimental skills, data interpretation, technical communication, teamwork, and engineering judgment. Mentor students in safe practice and professional responsibility and integrate contemporary engineering tools and emerging technologies into instruction.
- Coordinate readiness and operation of departmental laboratories with faculty and university support units. Maintain equipment inventories, maintenance schedules, calibration records, and operating procedures. Perform routine maintenance within training and coordinate specialized repairs. Prepare equipment and materials for instruction; coordinate access, scheduling, and assigned student assistants. Implement university safety procedures and document training. Coordinate laboratory computers, software, instrumentation, and data acquisition with IT. Prepare purchase requests, obtain quotations, track supplies, and recommend equipment upgrades. Support faculty and student projects within available capacity and assigned workload.
- 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:
- An earned master's degree in civil engineering or a closely related field is required.
- Relevant experience in civil engineering practice, laboratory operations, or experimental testing; and demonstrated ability to teach or train students and explain engineering concepts clearly.
- Practical experience operating and maintaining engineering laboratory equipment and implementing safe practices; ability to teach laboratory-intensive courses and contribute to design instruction within qualifications.
- Strong organization, communication, and collaboration skills; commitment to student success; and a Professional Engineer (PE) license or a demonstrated pathway and commitment to obtaining licensure.
Desired Qualifications:
- An earned doctorate in civil engineering or a closely related field.
- Substantial industry experience in civil engineering design, construction, testing, or project delivery.
- Active Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
- Prior college-level teaching experience in laboratory courses, civil engineering design, senior design, or graduate instruction as appropriate to qualifications.
- Experience with civil engineering laboratories, safety procedures, equipment procurement, maintenance, engineering software, instrumentation, or data acquisition systems.
- Experience supervising student assistants or technicians, mentoring students, and developing industry-supported projects.
Supplemental Information
Key Competencies:
- Deliver engaging laboratory-intensive and design instruction that connects engineering concepts to testing, measurement, and professional practice.
- Maintain reliable laboratory operations through equipment readiness, preventive maintenance, safety procedures, inventory control, and purchasing coordination.
- Coordinate laboratory computing and software with IT, communicate technical procedures clearly, and organize competing instructional and laboratory needs.
- Support student success, collaborate with faculty and industry, and contribute to curriculum improvement, accreditation, and departmental 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: This is a nine-month appointment. The successful candidate is expected to support summer laboratory operations through separately arranged and compensated summer assignments. Summer responsibilities may include laboratory coordination, equipment maintenance, preparation for the academic year, and teaching courses. Summer assignments and additional compensation will be established in accordance with university policy, departmental needs, and available funding.
Pay Range: Commensurate
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.
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
