What are the responsibilities and job description for the Open-Rank Faculty Position in Civil and Environmental Infrastructure Systems position at University of Michigan Civil and Environmental Engineering?
The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, invites applications for an open-rank tenure-track or tenured faculty position in Civil and Environmental Infrastructure Systems. This search focuses on driving innovation across three core strategic pillars: Automation, Resilience, and Circularity (ARC).
Civil and environmental infrastructure faces growing pressures from climate change, resource constraints, and physical deterioration. Addressing these challenges requires new approaches to design, construction, monitoring, and operation. Advances in artificial intelligence, sensing, and autonomous decision-making offer opportunities to improve the safety and performance of infrastructure systems. These capabilities must be grounded in engineering fundamentals and integrated with computational, biological, and subsurface technologies, as well as relevant social, policy, and economic considerations. This integration can support infrastructure that is resilient to compound hazards, circular in its use of resources, capable of safe and increasingly automated operation, and responsive to societal needs.
We seek visionary scholars whose research advances the analysis, design, construction, and operation of civil and environmental infrastructure through resilience, circularity, and automation. We are particularly interested in AI-enabled research grounded in civil and environmental engineering applications, including research that addresses human–system interactions and governance. Relevant research directions include, but are not limited to:
- Automation and Cyber-Physical Systems: AI-enabled sensing, digital twins, autonomous monitoring and control, and decision-making under uncertainty for transportation, energy, water, built, and other networked infrastructure systems.
- Resilience and Extreme Events: Assessment and management of compound, cascading, and systemic risks associated with extreme events across physical, environmental, and sociotechnical systems.
- Circularity and Resource Systems: Closed-loop approaches to materials, water, energy, and waste using biogeochemical, subsurface, energy, and environmental technologies. Relevant areas may include environmental biotechnology, recovery of resources and critical materials, energy geotechnics, carbon storage, and materials valorization.
Candidates must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or a closely related field by the appointment start date. Although the department has identified strategic areas of interest, overall scholarly excellence and potential for significant impact will be the primary considerations. Applicants at all ranks will be considered. Mid-career and senior candidates at the Associate or Full Professor level are strongly encouraged to apply and contribute to program leadership and the mentoring of junior faculty.
The successful candidate will build a strong, externally funded research program that translates fundamental advances into engineering practice. We seek a colleague who can lead interdisciplinary, center-scale research initiatives that bridge engineering fundamentals with social, policy, and economic considerations across campus. Candidates are also expected to contribute to undergraduate and graduate education, including developing new courses that complement the CEE curriculum.
At Michigan Engineering, we develop the talent and technologies that move society forward and serve our state and national interests. Through discovery and innovation, we create the foundational knowledge and practical technologies to solve not only today’s most pressing challenges, but also power industries and change lives. Our programs and community are designed to promote personal well-being and achievement, enabling everyone to unlock their potential and contribute with confidence.
Please visit our application portal at https://apply.interfolio.com/193512 to submit your application package, which includes:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of research interests (discussing alignment with the search themes and CEE strategic directions)
- Statement of teaching philosophy (addressing undergraduate and graduate curricular contributions)
- Up to three representative research products
- Names and contact information for five references (only three references required for applicants at the Assistant Professor rank)
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries regarding this position may be directed to the Search Committee Co-Chairs (Sherif El-Tawil, eltawil@umich.edu; Nancy Love, nglove@umich.edu).
Employment will require a criminal background check and may require an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct. If an institutional reference check is necessary, candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure form and an authorization to release information form.
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is responsive to the needs of dual-career families. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.