New

Assistant Research Professor, The Larson Transportation Institute

The Pennsylvania State University
remote work
United States, Pennsylvania, University Park
201 Old Main (Show on map)
Apr 24, 2026
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 Assistant Research Professor, The Larson Transportation Institute Transportation Infrastructure Sensing, AI, and Material Engineering The Pennsylvania State University The Larson Transportation Institute in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University invites applications for an Assistant Research Professor, The Larson Transportation Institute in transportation infrastructure engineering. The successful candidate will have expertise in transportation infrastructure sensing, nondestructive evaluation, pavement and railroad infrastructure characterization, infrastructure health monitoring, and data-driven modeling using machine learning and artificial intelligence. The candidate will contribute to multidisciplinary research projects funded by NSF, USDOT, FRA, NCHRP, and state DOTs, and will assist in research coordination activities within the Rail Center for Research Enhancing Shortline Transportation (Rail CREST). The anticipated start date is June 2026. Minimum Qualifications Candidates should meet the following requirements: Terminal degree (e.g., Ph.D.) in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, or a closely related field Demonstrated research experience in transportation infrastructure sensing, pavement, and/or railroad engineering, and infrastructure health monitoring Experience in instrumentation, field monitoring, and nondestructive testing of infrastructure systems Experience with data analysis, machine learning, or artificial intelligence modeling Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications Excellent written and oral communication skills Ability to work independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams Preferred Qualifications Preference will be given to candidates with experience in: Embedded sensing technologies and field instrumentation Pavement and railroad infrastructure monitoring Finite element modeling and mechanistic analysis Machine learning and data-driven infrastructure evaluation Nondestructive testing (FWD, GPR, sensors, etc.) Experience working with state DOT or federally funded research projects Experience supervising students and coordinating research activities Key Responsibilities The Assistant Research Professor will: Conduct and lead research on sensing-enabled infrastructure monitoring, pavement and rail material characterization, and AI-based modeling and evaluation. Assist the Principal Investigator (PI) in developing competitive research proposals and pursuing funding opportunities from federal agencies, state DOTs, and industry partners. Assist in managing and coordinating research activities within the Rail CREST Center, including collaboration with faculty, students, and external partners. Supervise and mentor graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and research staff, supporting their technical and professional development. Assist the PI in conducting and coordinating multi-institutional research projects funded by NSF, FRA, USDOT, NCHRP, and state DOTs. Collaborate with interdisciplinary research teams and industry partners to advance project objectives. Prepare high-quality technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations. Contribute to outreach, workforce development, and technology transfer activities associated with research projects and center activities. Application Materials Interested candidates should submit: Curriculum Vitae Statement of research interests and career goals Three sample publications demonstrating the applicant's most relevant and recent research experience Names and contact information for at least three references Candidates are encouraged to contact: Dr. Shihui Shen Pennsylvania State University Email: szs20@psu.edu Please include " Assistant Research Professor, The Larson Transportation Institute " in the subject line. 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 wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit ourBenefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.) CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here. EEO IS THE LAW Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission. 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