Research Associate

As a fully competent engineer in all conventional aspects of the subject matter of the functional area of the assignments, plans and conducts work requiring judgment within the independent evaluation, selection, and substantial adaptation and modification of standard techniques, procedures, and criteria.

Duties and responsibilities: Plans research efforts, schedules equipment and resources, conducts experiments, writes proposals, reports, and papers, or coordinates detailed tasks as part of a major project in the field of transportation materials and sustainable infrastructure management. Projects may include characterization of asphaltic materials, field evaluations of pavement sections, and monitoring of construction projects. Performs work that involves conventional engineering practice but may include a variety of complex features such as conflicting design requirements, unsuitability of conventional materials, and difficult coordination requirements. Work requires a broad knowledge of precedents in the specialty area and a good knowledge of and practices of related specialties. ||Directions given and received: Independently performs most assignments with instructions on global objectives and general results expected. Receives technical guidance on unusual or complex problems and work is reviewed for application of sound professional judgment. Will supervise/mentor/provide training and coordinate the work of technicians, students, and others who assist in specific assignments. Will be expected to publish research results and participate in proposal activity for new or follow on projects.

- M.S. in Civil Engineering or related discipline.
- Strong background in pavement evaluation, design and rehabilitation, pavements materials characterization, and hot-mix asphalt testing and modeling with emphasis on simple performance tests, and data analytics.
- Demonstrated experience in pavement design, analysis, rehabilitation and safety, infrastructure management, nondestructive testing, and lifecycle cost analysis.
- Demonstrated experience in producing research results such as research publications and presentations.
- Motivated to work independently or with little supervision, in a fast-paced research environment.
- Managerial skills to coordinate/supervise technicians, researchers, undergraduate and graduate level students.

- Expertise in pavement evaluation, design, and rehabilitation techniques
- Quality control of pavement construction

Restricted

Commensurate with Experience, starting salary is $70,000

8/25/2024

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.