Post-Doctoral Associate - UMD Civil Engineering, Applied Materials Science Program

Required Qualifications:

* A completed Ph.D. in materials science, civil engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, environmental engineering, polymer science, polymer engineering, or closely related topic
* Ability to teach concepts of materials science and engineering
* Research experience in materials science and engineering

Preferred Qualifications:

* Experience teaching students in materials science and/or engineering
* Strong publication record in the fields of materials science and/or engineering
* Industrial or academic experience in materials science and/or engineering
* Experience with polymer science, engineering, characterization, and processing
* Experience with laboratory equipment for materials testing and characterization
* Experience or interest in life cycle analysis

UMD Swenson College of Science and Engineering is recruiting a McKnight Foundation sponsored Postdoctoral Researcher interested in teaching applied materials science and engineering along with strong interest in research on sustainable and resilient materials for civil engineering and other applications. The initial appointment will be for one year with further appointments contingent upon performance and availability of funding. This is a 12-month teaching and research position beginning July 1, 2021 or later with teaching duties (2 courses annually) in the Applied Materials Science program. The remainder of the time will be engaged in research with Dr. Michael Pluimer.

The post-doctoral associate will join a national research team focusing on the research and development of more sustainable and resilient materials for civil engineering infrastructure and other applications. Additional research opportunities include researching the effects of climate change and extreme weather events on buried structures, researching and developing solutions for plastic pollution, research and development of new accelerated test methods to assess various degradation mechanisms of polymers, and research on sustainable materials and life cycle analysis. Additionally, the McKnight post- doctoral associate will teach one course per semester in the Applied Materials Science Master's program. The specific topics of the course will depend on the individual's expertise and consultation with the Director of the Advanced Materials Center.

Job Duties

Teaching (50%): Teach two courses annually in the Department of Civil Engineering or other departments depending on qualifications. Develop course content as needed.

Research (50%): Participate in on-going research and development of more sustainable and resilient materials for civil engineering infrastructure and other applications. Additional research opportunities include researching the effects of climate change and extreme weather events on buried structures, researching and developing solutions for plastic pollution, research and development of new accelerated test methods to assess various degradation mechanisms of polymers, and research on sustainable materials and life cycle analysis.

The Civil Engineering Department is housed in a multi-million dollar building with state of the art classrooms and laboratories for each focus area. UMD is a mid-sized regional comprehensive public University of about 12,000 students located along the shores of Lake Superior. The Civil Engineering department was established in 2008 and is a part of the third largest college (the Swenson College of Science and Engineering) in the U of M system. The department has close connections with local industries and government agencies and its applied curricula has attracted a growing number of undergraduate and graduate students since its inception. More information can be found at: www.d.umn.edu/civileng.

Applications must be submitted online. To apply, go to https://humanresources.umn.edu/jobs and search for job ID 341405. First, submit the application with a cover letter and CV/resume in pdf format and then completely log out of the application. Log back in and return to the "My Job Applications" page to attach the additional documents, also in pdf format.

Complete applications include the online application, cover letter, and resume/CV, plus additional documents as follows: (1) contact information for 3 current professional references, (2) teaching/research philosophy, and (3) diversity statement. Even if you provide this information within the application, you must also attach the requested additional documents. Please do not miss this important step in the application process. Applications missing any of these documents may not be reviewed.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate authorization to work in the United States at the University of Minnesota Duluth by the start date. Final candidates may be asked to provide additional information.

Completed applications will be reviewed beginning July 15, 2021 and continue until the position is filled. Please send any inquiries to Kim Becker at 218-726-6444 or civileng@d.umn.edu.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact a University of Minnesota Access Consultant at 612-624-3316.

If you have started receiving retirement annuity payments from the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) or Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) your eligibility for this position may be impacted. Please contact MSRS or PERA for any eligibility limitations.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Veterans and individuals from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.

UMD is a regional comprehensive land- and sea-grant state university, one of five coordinate campuses within the State of Minnesota system and with a total enrollment of approximately 11,000 students. SCSE is the largest college at UMD comprising approximately 3200 undergraduate students, 240 graduate students, 180 faculty, and 80 permanent staff. The college includes the science departments of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Physics and Astronomy, and Mathematics and Statistics, as well as the ABET-accredited departments of Computer Science, Electrical, Chemical, Civil and Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. There are significant opportunities for fostering existing and creating new ties with local, regional, and national industry stakeholders.

Situated at the western tip of Lake Superior, the city of Duluth offers an enticing selection of adventures for four season outdoor enthusiasts as well as a rich variety of cultural opportunities. Metropolitan Minneapolis/St. Paul is less than three hours south of Duluth.

A dynamic city on a hill situated at the western tip of Lake Superior, Duluth was named Outdoor magazine's Best Outdoors Town in 2014, celebrating its access to the outdoors and to Lake Superior - the largest freshwater lake on earth by area. Duluth is home to hundreds of miles of biking, hiking, and skiing trails, including the Superior Hiking Trail, a 300+ mile trail intersecting Duluth, and the Duluth Traverse, an 85-mile multi-use biking and hiking trail stretching across town. In addition to the outdoors, the Twin Ports area has vibrant music, arts, crafts and craft brewing scenes, and a variety of award-winning restaurants. Duluth is a truly wonderful place to live, with great schools, health care, and affordable housing. It mixes its historic small-town feel with a dynamic urban economy and many cultural offerings.

Duluth, with a population of approximately 85,000 people, is located at the head of beautiful Lake Superior. As a major shipping port, over 1,000 vessels from around the world pass under its iconic Aerial Lift Bridge, annually. Duluth is a popular tourist destination, with 3.5 million people visiting the city annually, for a $780 million economic impact. More information about Duluth can be found at www.visitduluth.com.

Smoking, chewing tobacco and the use of electronic cigarettes prohibited on all UMD property, including indoor facilities, campus grounds and University vehicles.