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Position Title:Postdoc Research Associate – Transportation Geotechnics and Advanced Pavement

Appointment Type:Post Doc/Trainee

Job Description:Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

The Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at Iowa State University (ISU) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position in the area of Transportation Geotechnics and Advanced Pavement Engineering, with particular emphasis on geosynthetic applications in paved and unpaved roads, the use of recycled plastic materials for geomaterial stabilization, and the application of advanced field instrumentation technologies for pavement performance evaluation.

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the Principal Investigators/Director of the Program for Sustainable Pavement Engineering and Research (PROSPER) at InTrans and will collaborate closely with federal and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs), industry partners, and academic institutions. The position supports ongoing and upcoming research projects funded by various state and federal agencies.

+ Conduct field, laboratory, and analytical research related to (1) geosynthetic applications in paved and unpaved roads, (2) sustainable and resilient infrastructure solutions, particularly the design, implementation, and evaluation of recycled and alternative materials for improving pavement performance and extending service life, (3) full-scale pavement sections construction and instrumentation, focusing on performance monitoring.

+ Coordinate the use and maintenance of project-related equipment and materials in collaboration with laboratory managers in the CCEE department.

+ Perform data collection, cleaning, quality assurance, statistical analysis, and model validation.

+ Ensure timely, organized, and professional delivery of research tasks and technical reports.

+ Manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven research environment.

+ Contribute to the writing of project reports, journal manuscripts, and competitive research funding proposals.

+ Report research progress to funding agencies and present findings to stakeholders.

+ Collaborate with academic and industry partners involved in joint research efforts.

+ Actively engage with other research groups to exchange data and insights for interdisciplinary projects.

+ Maintain clear, concise, and frequent communication with the PROSPER team, supervisors, and sponsoring agencies.

+ Lead and assist/supervise undergraduate and graduate students on multiple research projects.

+ Keep and maintain accurate and detailed records of all research performed with excellent interpersonal skills and a strong work ethic.

+ Be available for unconventional schedules and short-notice travel, including day trips or extended stays (typically 8–10 days), in response to sponsor needs.

+ Comply with all university and Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) policies and procedures.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

+ Ph.D. in Civil Engineering or a closely related field (Applicants expecting to defend their Ph.D. prior to the anticipated start date are welcome to apply.)

+ Extensive research experience on the innovative application of recycled plastic materials to enhance transportation geotechnics.

+ Demonstrated experience with field monitoring of geosynthetic-stabilized pavement systems using advanced field instrumentation.

+ Proven record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals or presenting at technical conferences.

+ Strong skills in data analysis and technical communication

Preferred Qualifications:

+ At least three years of experience working with geosynthetics in field instrumented paved and unpaved roads applications.

+ Familiarity with laboratory and field-testing standards (e.g., ASTM, AASHTO).

+ Background in resiliency and sustainability concepts related to transportation geotechnics and pavement engineering.

Department/Program & College Description:

Department Unit/Website:

Proposed Start Date:January 2, 2026

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:December 31, 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Application Instructions:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Postdocs enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)• Flexible Spending Accounts• Various voluntary benefits and discounts• Employee Assistance Program• Wellbeing Program

Original Posting Date: October 31, 2025

Posting Close Date:November 7, 2025

Job Requisition Number:R18062

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [email protected] or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.