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The Opportunity: The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Washington State University (WSU) is seeking a qualified applicant for a 12-month, full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate position based on the WSU main campus in Pullman, WA.

The incumbent will play a central role in the design and analysis of steel structures, experimental and computational investigations of structural behavior, and data-driven approaches to structural design and analysis. The project will experimentally and computationally assess the thermomechanical and seismic behavior of cold-formed steel structures. The postdoctoral researcher is also expected to demonstrate leadership within the lab, including mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.

About the research group: The incumbent will join the research group of Professor Hyeyoung Koh in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The Koh research group focuses on steel structures and other structural systems, with an emphasis on enhancing their design and analysis for resilience and sustainability. Representative research topics include thermomechanical behavior of steel structures, AI-aided structural design, and structural performance assessment using advanced sensing technologies.

Percentage Breakdown of Job Functions:

80% Research

20% Scholarship, Outreach, and Collaboration

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Faculty and Total Compensation. For information or questions about Benefits, please contact HRS Benefits at 509-335-4521.

Annual Salary: $62,232 - $70,000  | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position. Successful candidates typically begin up to mid-point of the salary range.

This is a full (100% FTE), temporary position. This position is overtime eligible.

Appointment Duration: This is a temporary position expected to start on October 1, 2026, dependent upon finalist's availability and end on October 1, 2027. The position is expected to end within one year of starting. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or the availability of additional funding.

Postdoctoral Requirements: For detailed information on eligibility for postdoctoral appointments, please visit: WSU/UAW Postdoctoral Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Required Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field by the start date.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong technical background in structural mechanics, computational modeling, and data analytics.

• Experience leading full-scale structural testing.

• Proficiency in Python or equivalent programming language.

• Experience with high-performance and high-throughput computing

• Scientific proposal writing experience.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: May be eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Department - Civil and Environmental Engineering | Washington State University

Area/College: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture

Department Name: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Location: Pullman, WA

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

• Cover letter describing research experience and fit with the position

• Curriculum vitae (including a list of peer-reviewed publications)

External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.

Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

All candidates, documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

Contact: For questions regarding this position or the application process, please contact Dr. Hyeyoung Koh, [email protected] 

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Union Representation: This position is represented exclusively by Postdocs United/United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Information regarding the Union and the CBA is available on the WSU Labor Relations website.

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected].

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/