Pavement Research Phd Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Information
General Information
Position Number
POST40
Working Title
Postdoctoral Fellow-Instrumented airfield pavements-Durable/sustainable concrete materials
Division
Academic Affairs
Department
College of Engineering (Col)
Work Unit
Albert School of Construction
Work Location
Smith Building
Vacancy Open To
All Candidates
Position Designation
Post Doc
Employment Type
Temporary - Full-time
Hours per week
40
Work Schedule
8 hours per day 40 hours per week
Pay Rate
Pay Rate varies
Minimum Experience/Education
The Postdoctoral appointee must have recently (within the last eight years) been awarded a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g., Sc.D., M.D.)
Departmental Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education:
The Advanced Construction Materials Laboratory (AIM Lab) in the Albert School of Construction in the William States Lee College of Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina is seeking a highly motivated and independent researcher for an open postdoctoral position starting in Winter 2026/2027 or Spring 2027.
The successful candidate will work on several ongoing and upcoming research projects supporting an improved understanding of concrete materials, mixtures, and testing technologies that advance the durability, sustainability, and constructability of pavement and structures. A key focus of the work will be supporting the installation, deployment, and development of instrumentation at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) as part of a project funded by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Concrete Pavement Technology Program (ACPTP). This project will facilitate the development of a digital twin and provide extensive, long-term data to enhance the understanding of pavement performance and inform maintenance decisions. Information will be used to inform and enhance FAA's existing pavement design tool FAARFIELD and other software programs, design and construction advisory circulars (ACs) such as FAA's AC 150/5320-6G Airport Pavement Design and Evaluation and AC 150 5320-10H, and airport and stakeholder partner practices in design, construction, operation, and maintenance of airfield pavements.
Required qualifications:

• A PhD degree from a reputable university with a specialty of relevance such as Civil Engineering, Materials Science/Engineering, or Construction Engineering
• Experience in concrete and cementitious materials and related construction practices as demonstrated through publications. Candidates must have experience in rigid (concrete) pavement design, with a preference given to those with experience in instrumentation, and data acquisition/analysis with large datasets
• Experience working in a laboratory setting with concrete and cementitious materials (mandatory) and experience with field testing and/or instrumentation of concrete pavements (preferred).
• Excellent spoken and written English communication skills
• An ability to work collaboratively with undergraduate and graduate students, as well as interdisciplinary faculty and support staff

Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will work on several ongoing and upcoming research projects supporting an improved understanding of concrete materials, mixtures, and testing technologies that advance the durability, sustainability, and constructability of pavement and structures. A key focus of the work will be supporting the installation, deployment, and development of instrumentation at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) as part of a project funded by the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Concrete Pavement Technology Program (ACPTP). This project will facilitate the development of a digital twin and provide extensive, long-term data to enhance the understanding of pavement performance and inform maintenance decisions. Information will be used to inform and enhance FAA's existing pavement design tool FAARFIELD and other software programs, design and construction advisory circulars (ACs) such as FAA's AC 150/5320-6G Airport Pavement Design and Evaluation and AC 150 5320-10H, and airport and stakeholder partner practices in design, construction, operation, and maintenance of airfield pavements.
Work outside the ACPTP project will include field and laboratory activities to support use of novel materials, tests, and analysis approaches for highway and aviation concrete materials and mixtures. Ongoing and upcoming research projects that the successful candidate will support are funded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, and private entities. Opportunities to engage with and support the growth of the Charlotte Aviation Innovation and Research (AIR) Institute will also be provided as part of the position's duties.
The successful candidate will work with Dr. Tara Cavalline and several doctoral, masters, and undergraduate students in a collaborative, supportive team environment. The candidate will engage with other researchers at UNC Charlotte and other universities as part of their project-related activities, and will assist in mentoring, training, and guiding graduate students executing and publishing research. UNC Charlotte and the AIM Lab team are committed to fostering an environment of support and inclusivity for all individuals.
A Postdoctoral Fellow (""postdoc"") is a professional apprenticeship designed to provide recent Ph.D. recipients with an opportunity to develop further the research skills acquired in their doctoral programs or to learn new research techniques, in preparation for an academic or research career. In the process of further developing their own research skills, it is expected that Postdoctoral Fellows will also play a significant role in the performance of research at the University and augment the role of graduate faculty in providing research instruction to graduate students. A Postdoctoral Fellow works under the supervision of a regular faculty member, who serves as a mentor to the Fellow, and it is expected that the faculty mentor will impart the realities, and variety, of scientific careers, and will encourage experiences outside the laboratory to broaden postdocs' aspirations. Within the confines of the particular research focus assigned by that faculty member, the Postdoctoral Fellow functions with a considerable degree of independence and has the freedom (and is expected) to publish the results of his or her research or scholarship during the period of appointment. Thus, the role of Postdoctoral Fellows is clearly differentiated from full-time technical employees.
Postdoc appointments are characterized by all of the following conditions:
* the appointee was recently (within the last eight years) awarded a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g., Sc.D., M.D.);
* the appointment is temporary;
* the appointment involves substantially full-time research or scholarship;
* the appointment is viewed as preparatory for a full-time academic and/or research career;
* the appointee works under the supervision of a faculty member; and
* the appointee has the freedom and is expected to publish the results of his or her research or scholarship during the period of appointment.
Other Work/Responsibilities
Necessary Licenses or Certifications
PhD or equivalent degree
Proposed Hire Date
Contact Information
Tara Cavalline, PhD, PE | Professor
UNC Charlotte | The William States Lee College of Engineering
Department of Engineering Technology and Construction Management
Smith 233
Phone: 704-687-5035
tcavalline@charlotte.edu
Expected Length of Assignment
18 Months
Posting Open Date
08/11/2026
Posting Close Date
Special Notes to Applicants
The candidate chosen for this position will be required to provide an official transcript of their highest earned degree.
The candidate chosen for this position will be subject to a criminal background check.
As optional document applicants can also upload a research statement (not more than one page) describing their previous research work and future goals.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. In keeping with this commitment, UNC Charlotte ensures that persons of any background are invited, included, and treated equally in the terms and conditions of employment.