Research Assistant Professor, Assistant Center Director

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This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

Research Assistant Professor, Assistant Center Director

Rail Center for Research Enhancing Short-line Transportation (Rail CREST)

Penn State Altoona

The Rail Center for Research Enhancing Short-line Transportation (Rail CREST) at Penn State Altoona invites applications for a Research Assistant Professor or open rank position to serve as Assistant Center Director. Rail CREST is a federally funded research center supported by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) through the CRISI program. The center focuses on developing affordable technologies, workforce development programs, and safety innovations for the U.S. short-line railroad industry.

The Assistant Center Director will play a key leadership role in supporting the strategic growth and daily operation of Rail CREST, working closely with the Center Director, partner universities, industry partners, and federal stakeholders. The successful candidate will help coordinate research activities across multiple institutions while contributing technically to projects focused on rail infrastructure monitoring, sensing technologies, data analytics, and intelligent transportation systems.

Responsibilities

• Support the strategic planning and daily operation of the Rail CREST Center.

• Coordinate research activities across multiple partner universities and industry collaborators.

• Facilitate engagement with the Industrial Advisory Board, railroads, and federal stakeholders.

• Assist with the development of new research proposals and technology transfer initiatives.

• Lead and contribute to research projects related to rail infrastructure sensing, structural health monitoring, instrumentation systems, data analytics, and artificial intelligence applications in rail transportation.

• Manage or oversee field deployments, laboratory testing, and instrumentation development.

• Support workforce development and training programs associated with the center.

• Teach occasional undergraduate or graduate courses within the Rail Transportation Engineering (RTE) program when needed.

• Assist with industry-facing testing, demonstrations, and commercialization activities related to rail technologies.

• Supervise research staff, graduate students, and project teams.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Railroad Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.

• Demonstrated research expertise in rail infrastructure, structural health monitoring, sensing systems, instrumentation, or transportation infrastructure analytics.

• Experience working with data-driven technologies such as sensor networks, machine learning, or AI-enabled infrastructure monitoring.

• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to coordinate multi-institutional research projects.

• Ability to work effectively with industry partners, government agencies, and academic collaborators.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with railroad infrastructure systems including track, bridges, or railway operations.

• Experience deploying or managing field instrumentation systems or sensing networks.

• Experience working with federally funded research programs (e.g., FRA, USDOT, NSF).

• Leadership or project management experience within multi-institutional research initiatives.

• Teaching experience in engineering programs.

• Interest in technology transfer and industry collaboration.

About Rail CREST

Rail CREST is a national research center dedicated to enhancing the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of short-line railroads in the United States. The center focuses on developing affordable sensing technologies, intelligent infrastructure monitoring systems, and workforce training programs that directly support the needs of regional and short-line railroads. The center brings together multiple universities, industry partners, and railroad operators to advance applied research and technology deployment in the rail sector.

Appointment

This is a non-tenure-line 36-week research faculty position at the rank of Research Assistant Professor, or open rank, depending on qualifications and experience. The appointment is expected to be 12-month, renewable based on performance and funding availability.

Application

Applicants should submit:

• Curriculum Vitae

• Cover letter describing relevant experience and interest in the position

• Contact information for three professional references

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

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