Assistant Professor - Geotechnical Engineering

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at South Dakota State University invites applications and nominations for a 9-month, full-time, benefit eligible, tenure-track position. This position is at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of Geotechnical Engineering and the appointment begins in August of 2021. The department is currently enjoying new and renovated facilities, growth in graduate education and research, and strong ties to its regional constituents. Applications are invited in any area of Geotechnical Engineering. Candidates with expertise in the following areas are especially encouraged to apply: advanced field and laboratory geotechnical testing, computational modeling of geotechnical systems and foundations, and geohazards risk assessment and management. This position is supervised by the Department Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

SDSU is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to and/or coordinate course offerings that address the experiences of underrepresented minorities in organizations. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will be expected to teach and develop undergraduate and graduate courses, advise undergraduate and graduate students, guide student research, develop an externally funded research program in the applicant’s area of expertise, and participate in outreach and service activities. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to grow and enhance the testing infrastructure of an existing geotechnical and soil mechanics laboratory.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering or closely related field with emphasis on Geotechnical Engineering received by expected start date.
• Have at least one earned degree at any level in Civil Engineering from an ABET accredited program or provide evidence of teaching coursework at an ABET accredited program.
• Effective verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Commitment to professional activities.
• Professional engineering registration or the potential for becoming registered.
• Knowledge of the practice of civil engineering.
• Focus or interest is in geotechnical engineering.
• Potential to establish an externally funded research program.

BENEFITS:
South Dakota State University offers a wide range of benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.

This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, Curriculum Vitae, teaching statement (attached as ‘other’ document), research statement (attached as ‘work sample’), and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDSU Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment.

It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with more than 200 programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students.

SDSU offers a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access through inspired, student-centered education, creative activities and research, innovation and engagement that improve the quality of life in South Dakota, the region, the nation and the world. Its employees embrace the university’s core values of being people-centered, expanding knowledge through creativity, embracing organizational and personal integrity, commitment to diversity, and excellence through continuous improvement.

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering has 12 full time faculty and an enrollment of approximately 220 undergraduate students and 40 graduate students. The department grants B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Civil Engineering. The undergraduate program is ABET accredited. Some of the important attributes of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering are:
• faculty and staff who are deeply committed to the success of students and the department, and are strongly engaged with local/regional employers;
• member of two U.S. DOT sponsored university transportation centers: the Mountain-Plains Consortium Regional UTC and TriDurLE National UTC
• recent departmental space remodeling providing high quality classrooms, offices and laboratories including the following teaching and research labs: Lohr Structures Laboratory, HDR Environmental Laboratory, Fluid Mechanics Laboratory, Transportation Engineering Laboratory, Asphalt Laboratory, Geotechnical Laboratory, and Materials Laboratory;
• strong growth in funded research and the graduate program;
• faculty and students who are strongly engaged in community service;
• an award-winning ASCE student chapter; and
• opportunities for innovative interdisciplinary research within SDSU as well as with researchers at other regional engineering colleges.

As the state’s 1862 Morrill Act land-grant institution, the work of the university is carried out on its main resident campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across South Dakota.

SDSU was recognized as one of 54 institutions in the United States as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities in 2014. The university’s total research expenditures are greater than $60 million. SDSU is the state’s first High Research Activity institution as classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Jackrabbits Athletics competes as an NCAA Division I member with membership in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Summit League and the Big XII for wrestling.
Brookings is home to approximately 24,000 residents and is located 60 miles north of Sioux Falls and 200 miles west of Minneapolis. Livability.com rates Brookings as an ideal community for families, students, young professionals and retirees. It considers Brookings among the safest and most vibrant cities in South Dakota.
The Brookings Public School District educates approximately 3,300 K-12 students and ranks among the state’s highest academic achieving school districts. The district includes three elementary schools, an intermediate school for fourth and fifth grade, one middle school and a high school.
The city also boasts an abundance of attractions and activities, including the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Dakota Nature Park, South Dakota Art Museum, McCrory Gardens, South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, Outdoor Adventure Center and the Brookings Summer Arts Festival.

South Dakota State University is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its faculty, staff and students. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with SDSU prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identification, transgender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status that may become protected under law against discrimination in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.

We are committed to diversity of community and ideas. We believe in a supportive, diverse, collaborative, and cohesive environment with a focus on access. We actively seek collaboration with individuals with differing perspectives, backgrounds, and areas of expertise.

For questions on the position, contact Dr. Francis Ting, Search Chair at francis.ting@sdstate.edu or phone: 605-688-5997.