"Postdoctoral Associate"

Postdoctoral Associate

Company: Virginia Tech

Job Location: Blacksburg, 24061

Category: Civil and Environmental Engineering

Type: Full-Time

Job Description

The Myers Lawson School of Construction at Virginia Tech invites applications for a Postdoctoral Associate position in the field of autonomous assembly, off-site manufacturing, and system optimization for remote construction. This position will focus on advancing research in construction assembly science and technology, logistics optimization, and real-time communication frameworks for construction operations. The successful candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research in mixed reality (MR)-based simulation platforms, machine learning-based process optimization, and human-machine interaction in remote construction settings.

Key Responsibilities include: Conduct research on autonomous construction assembly, off-site manufacturing strategies and logistics optimization. Develop and implement MR-based simulation platforms for training and process enhancement in remote construction. Apply machine learning techniques for optimizing construction assembly processes, predictive analytics, and system automation. Investigate and improve human-machine interaction frameworks for construction operations, including robotics, sensor-based communication, and real-time monitoring. Publish research findings in high-impact journals and present results at international conferences. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including academic researchers and industry partners, to advance research applications in real-world construction environments. Assist in the supervision and mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students involved in related research projects.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Construction Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field. Ph.D. in relevant engineering degree. PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.
• Expertise in MR-based simulation technologies, digital twinning, and immersive environments for industrial applications.
• Strong proficiency in machine learning, optimization algorithms, and computational modeling applied to construction systems.
• Experience with designing and conducting experimental studies to evaluate emerging technologies in a construction setting.
• Experience with human-machine interaction, robotics in construction, or sensor-based real-time monitoring frameworks.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, MATLAB, or Unity (C#) for simulation and system development.
• A strong research record, demonstrated by publications in high-impact journals and presentations at international conferences.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with a demonstrated ability to collaborate across disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in autonomous or robotic construction systems and off-site manufacturing techniques.
• Knowledge of data-driven decision-making approaches for construction optimization.
• Hands-on experience with sensor-based communication frameworks, wearable technologies, or IoT applications in construction.

Pay Band: 4

Overtime Status: Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type: Restricted

Salary Information: 62,000

Hours per week: 40 hours - regular schedule, plus as needed

Review Date: 08/25/2025

Additional Information: The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.