Assistant Professor, Pavement Engineering and Science

About the role

The University of Nevada, Reno is seeking a collaborative and innovative scholar for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Pavement Engineering and Science (PES). The successful candidate will strengthen the core of the University's Pavement Engineering and Science program while contributing to its continued growth and national impact. The successful candidate will join a well-established and nationally recognized pavement engineering program with a strong record of research, teaching, and engagement with transportation agencies and industry. The position offers outstanding opportunities to develop a complementary research program that builds upon existing strengths in Pavement Engineering and Science and advances asphalt materials and pavement technologies. The successful candidate will become part of a highly active and collaborative academic environment that fosters innovation, mentorship, interdisciplinary research, and professional growth.

Responsibilities

• Develop and sustain an externally funded research program in Pavement Engineering and Science, with an emphasis on asphalt materials and pavements.
• Conduct high-quality fundamental and applied research that advances the state of knowledge and addresses the needs of transportation agencies and industry.
• Publish research findings in leading peer-reviewed journals and disseminate scholarly work to academic, public agency, and industry audiences.
• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in areas aligned with the candidate's expertise and the instructional needs of the School.
• Advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students and supervise student research.
• Develop collaborative research partnerships within the University and with transportation agencies, industry partners, and other research organizations.
• Contribute to the academic and professional community through service to the School, College, University, and the profession.
• Participate in activities that support the continued development, visibility, and national impact of the University's Pavement Engineering and Science program.

Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. in Civil Engineering from an ABET accredited program or from an equivalent internationally accredited program.
• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, with emphasis in Pavement Engineering and Science.
• Record of scholarly achievement appropriate with career stage.

Preferred qualifications

• Asphalt materials engineering, including advanced characterization of asphalt binders and mixtures, resource-responsible use of recycled materials, life cycle assessment, and enhancement of asphalt pavement durability and resilience.
• Asphalt pavement mechanics and design, including mechanistic-empirical analysis, structural design, performance prediction, and computational modeling of pavement systems.
• Non-destructive testing (NDT) and field evaluation, including application of NDT technologies, advanced sensing systems, network-level pavement condition assessment, and pavement preservation treatment selection.
• Emerging digital technologies for asphalt pavements, including integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), digital twins, and advanced analytics for pavement monitoring, design, and management.

Schedule

Full-time, tenure-track, nine-month academic faculty appointment based at the University of Nevada, Reno (Exempt, 100% FTE). Occasional travel for field research, sponsor and partner meetings, professional conferences, and other University activities. Laboratory and field activities may include work at pavement test sites, material production facilities, airports, and construction projects.

Pay

Salary is competitive and commensurate with related education and experience. To view the salary schedule for this position, visit the UNR Salary Schedules page and select Academic Faculty (9-month).

Benefits

• Health insurance options including dental and vision
• E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center membership (annual, semester, and family options)
• Local business discounts for WolfCard holders
• Mountain EAP counseling and advising services for employees and eligible dependents
• Faculty Senate representation
• No state income tax
• Grants-in-aid for faculty employees (reduced-rate tuition for faculty and qualified dependents)
• Faculty Dual Career Assistance Program for spouses/partners

About the department

The College of Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno is a fast-growing college with research expenditures that have doubled over the past nine years, recording $24 million in expenditures in FY26. The college offers bachelor's and graduate degrees and certificates through three schools: Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering; Computing, Electrical, and Biomedical Engineering; and Aerospace, Industrial, Materials, and Mechanical Engineering. Specialized facilities include the Center for Civil Engineering Earthquake Research, Cybersecurity Center, a Nanofabrication Lab, and the Nevada Water Innovation Institute. Located near the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center with ready access to the California economy, the college collaborates with leading tech firms and advances research in robotics, AI, battery technology, aerospace, water systems, and sustainable energy. The Reno area offers world-class outdoor recreation including skiing, hiking, biking, and water sports at nearby Lake Tahoe and throughout northern Nevada.

The School of Civil, Chemical, and Environmental Engineering (SCCEE) has a faculty and staff team of more than 40, offering ABET-accredited undergraduate programs and nationally recognized graduate programs in civil, chemical, and environmental engineering. Faculty and students advance sustainable infrastructure, environmental stewardship, biotechnology, renewable energy, water resources, and earthquake resilience. The school is home to the Earthquake Engineering Laboratory and leading water research centers, with strong connections to industry and access to world-class outdoor recreation.

About the program

The Pavement Engineering and Science (PES) program is nationally and internationally recognized for research, education, and implementation in asphalt materials and pavements. The program currently includes three full-time faculty members, a laboratory manager, and approximately 15 to 20 graduate research assistants. The new faculty member will be expected to fit well with this established team, build on current strengths, develop complementary expertise, and help expand and grow the program. The anticipated start date is