Associate Research Professor in Network-Level Infrastructure Management - The University of Texas at El Paso

Location: El Paso, TX Category: Engineering Posted On: Mon Feb 23 2026 Job Description:

The Center for Transportation Infrastructure Systems (CTIS) at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) invites applications for a full-time Associate Research Professor specializing in distributed fiber-optic sensing and wireless sensor technologies to support cutting-edge research in large-scale, real-time structural health monitoring (SHM) of civil infrastructure systems. This position is ideal for a highly motivated researcher with strong technical expertise and a demonstrated ability to translate sensing technologies into practical, deployable infrastructure solutions.

CTIS serves as the primary hub for transportation, pavement, and geotechnical engineering research at UTEP and is one of the best-equipped transportation research facilities in the Southwest. CTIS conducts both basic and applied research focused on the performance, safety, durability, and management of transportation infrastructure. Research areas include pavement evaluation and design, transportation planning, environmental quality, asset and infrastructure management, structures, and safety. CTIS is strongly committed to workforce development, with undergraduate and graduate research assistants working closely alongside faculty and research engineers. More than 40 students are actively involved in CTIS projects at any given time. The Center maintains strong partnerships with governmental agencies, industry sponsors, and academic collaborators to ensure impactful, implementable research outcomes.

Position Overview

The successful candidate will lead externally funded, interdisciplinary research on the development and integration of pavement management systems and asset management frameworks in general, and validation, and implementation of traffic-speed deflection devices. This position emphasizes specializing in network-level infrastructure evaluation and maintenance decision-making to support and expand research capabilities, especially with high-speed deflection devices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct sponsored research on traffic-speed deflection measurement technologies and data interpretation.
• Develop methodologies linking deflection data to structural capacity, remaining life, and maintenance needs.
• Integrate deflection data into network-level pavement and asset management systems.
• Collaborate with transportation agencies to support data-driven funding and maintenance strategies.
• Publish research findings and contribute to implementation guidelines and best practices.
• Mentor graduate students and collaborate with research staff.

Job Requirements:

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering or a closely related field.
• Expertise in pavement engineering, deflection testing, or infrastructure evaluation.
• Proven ability to conduct applied research with agency and industry partners.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Traffic Speed Deflectometer, Falling Weight Deflectometer, Ground Penetrating Radar or nondestructive testing methods.
• Knowledge of pavement management systems, life-cycle cost analysis, or asset management.
• Experience translating research into practice for DOTs or infrastructure owners.

Additional Information:

In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries-including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident-about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at titleix@utep.edu, or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 312.

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu.

To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.