Postdoctoral Research Associate Advanced and Smart Concrete Pavement Materials and Systems

Postdoctoral Research Associate Advanced and Smart Concrete Pavement Materials and Systems 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 advanced and smart pavement materials and systems, with a particular emphasis on electrically conductive concrete (ECON) and advanced multifunctional concrete technologies.

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 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.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct field, laboratory, and analytical research related to (1) electrically conductive concrete (ECON) for heated transportation infrastructure, wireless electric vehicle charging, and structural health monitoring, (2) sustainable concrete technologies, including the integration of recycled plastic materials and their effects on pavement performance, (3) roller compacted concrete (RCC) pavements, focusing on mixture optimization and performance evaluation.
• 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 810 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
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience with ECON-based heated pavement systems or other advanced concrete pavement technologies
• Proven record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals or presenting at technical conferences
• Demonstrated proficiency with data analysis and statistical techniques
• At least 4 years of experience working with ECON in heated pavement applications
• Familiarity with laboratory and field-testing standards (e.g., ASTM, AASHTO)
• Background in sustainability or circular economy concepts related to concrete or pavement systems

Proposed Start Date: August 11, 2025 Proposed End Date or Length of Term: August 10, 2026 Number of Months Employed Per Year: Time Type: Part time Application Instructions:

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 Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call ... or Toll Free: ....

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: July 30, 2025 Posting Close Date: August 6, 2025 Job Requisition Number: R17496