Assistant Professor – Geotechnical Engineering
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Job no: 534986
Work type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Senior management: College of Engineering
Department: Civil & Environmental Engineering
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Engineering
Assistant Professor – Geotechnical Engineering
The Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at Virginia Tech invites applications for a tenured/tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Geotechnical Engineering, effective August 2026. We are seeking candidates motivated to contribute to a collegial, interdisciplinary community with a strong tradition of both fundamental and applied research.
The CEE Department has 53 tenured/tenure-track faculty and 7 professors of practice. Eight faculty are recent early investigator recipients, and numerous other faculty are recognized nationally and internationally. The department is home to 673 undergraduate students and 330 full-time graduate students. The civil and environmental engineering graduate programs are currently ranked 9th and 4th, respectively, and the civil and environmental engineering undergraduate programs are ranked 9th and 7th, respectively, by U.S. News & World Report (USN&WR).
The successful candidate will have a research focus in computational geomechanics, emphasizing numerical investigation of soil behavior under coupled mechanical, hydraulic, and thermal conditions, particularly for unsaturated and multiphase systems. We seek candidates with grain- and pore-scale modeling expertise with a focus on fundamental mechanisms governing complex soil responses, enabled by recent advances in high-performance computing to make such simulations feasible at realistic scales. This expertise is essential for addressing problems that are difficult to investigate through experimental approaches, thereby complementing the department’s established strengths in laboratory and field-based geomechanics. Candidates will leverage advanced computing resources and foster interdisciplinary collaborations to tackle grand challenges in infrastructure resilience, geohazard mitigation, and environmental sustainability, and to advance emerging applications in energy geotechnics. Primary job responsibilities include developing a strong externally sponsored research program, teaching courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and mentoring students.
Ph.D. in civil engineering, a strong record of academic accomplishments commensurate with rank and in a research area consistent with the job description, a proven ability to work collaboratively, a commitment to interdisciplinary research and instruction, and an ability to teach subjects germane to the field and develop courses in emerging areas.
Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is preferred but successful candidates should demonstrate the capacity to obtain PE registration.
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Commensurate with experience
Applicants must apply online at jobs.vt.edu (posting number 534986). Application materials include a cover letter, CV, up to three relevant research publications, and contact information for at least three professional references. In addition, applicants must provide a research statement and a statement of teaching and mentoring philosophy (up to 3 pages each); specific examples of experiences, activities, and plans will help us identify candidates who are committed to excellence. Review of applications will commence on January 5, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Mark Widdowson at ceedepthead@vt.edu (540-231-6635).
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Kira Ritter at kirafs81@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
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