New

Postdoctoral Scholar, Pavement Research at the Larson Transportation Institute

The Pennsylvania State University
remote work
United States, Pennsylvania, University Park
201 Old Main (Show on map)
Sep 10, 2025
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants. Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional information on remote work at Penn State, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants. This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the termlengthdiscussed willbebasedonuniversityneed,performance,and/oravailabilityoffunding. POSITION SPECIFICS The Larson Transportation Institute in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University invites applications for a highly motivated Postdoctoral researcher in pavement engineering, with an emphasis on advanced sensing technologies and machine learning modeling. The successful candidate will contribute immediately to cutting-edge research projects supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), NCHRP, and other major funding agencies. The position is anticipated to start in January 2026. Candidates should meet the following requirements: Hold a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline. Possess a strong background and demonstrated experience in pavement engineering and materials, engineering mechanics, and advanced computational modeling. Exhibit advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities. Demonstrate excellent experimental skills, with proficiency in asphalt binder and mixture testing. Have a proven record of conducting high-quality research and disseminating results through publications and presentations. Display strong English writing, presentation, and communication skills. Show evidence of leadership ability. Preferred qualifications: Knowledge and experience in dynamics and vibration, discrete element modeling, sensors and data processing techniques, and machine learning modeling. Key responsibilities of the position: Lead and conduct research on advanced characterization and modeling of asphaltic and granular materials, with an emphasis on integrating sensing technologies and machine learning approaches. Mentor and supervise graduate and undergraduate students in research activities, fostering technical growth and professional development. Collaborate and coordinate with internal teams, external research groups, and industry partners to advance project goals. Prepare and publish high-quality research papers, technical reports, and presentations for academic and industry audiences. Support the Principal Investigator (PI) in developing competitive research proposals and pursuing external funding opportunities. Interested candidates should include with their application: 1) an academic CV; 2) a statement of research vision and future career goals; and 3) names of at least three academic references. Candidates are also encouraged to contact Dr. Shihui Shen (szs20@psu.edu) for questions and/or inquiries. Please include "Pavement postdoc position" in the email subject. BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. BENEFITS Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. 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