Assistant Professor in Structural Engineering114 Views

Santa Clara University invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Structural Engineering starting Fall 2026. Teach and mentor across mechanics, analysis, and design while advancing research in innovative materials and earthquake engineering within Silicon Valley’s collaborative ecosystem. Competitive salary, strong teacher-scholar support, and mission-driven impact.

Introduction

The Department of Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering (CESE) at Santa Clara University (SCU)—a Jesuit, Catholic institution in Silicon Valley—seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor in structural engineering with strengths in innovative materials, advanced modeling, and earthquake engineering. The appointment is anticipated to begin September 2026. The successful candidate will contribute to SCU’s teacher-scholar model through excellence in teaching, research, and service, and help cultivate an inclusive environment that prepares students for leadership grounded in competence, conscience, and compassion.
Citation (Introduction): SCU Workday job page — R6775

Position Summary

This role combines high-impact teaching with a focused research agenda. Responsibilities include courses from sophomore engineering mechanics to graduate structural analysis and design, supervision of student projects, and participation in departmental, school, university, and professional service.

Location & Time Type

• Location: Santa Clara, California (Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation)
• Time Type: Full-time, Regular (tenure-track)

Salary Range

• $113,443–$125,976, commensurate with experience

Department

& Campus Context

CESE Mission

CESE integrates structural engineering, sustainability, and community impact. Faculty emphasize fundamentals, modern methods, and performance-based design to address safety, resilience, and ethics in the built environment.

Facilities & Hubs

The Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation (~300,000 sq ft) features advanced labs and collaborative spaces supporting project-based learning, experimental testing, and computation. Partnerships through the Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship and the Frugal Innovation Hub enable community-engaged, globally relevant engineering.

Silicon Valley Advantage

Proximity to universities, national labs, agencies, non-profits, and industry creates opportunities for applied research, shared infrastructure, and experiential learning that strengthens student outcomes.

Teaching Responsibilities

Courses & Pedagogy

• Teach lecture and laboratory courses in structural mechanics and structural design, including earthquake engineering and performance-based design.
• As needed, teach undergraduate graphical communication or related CESE courses.
• Use inclusive, research-informed pedagogy to support diverse learners and develop communication and professional judgment.

Mentoring

• Advise students on academic planning, research involvement, and careers.
• Guide capstone teams and independent studies with clear milestones and documented outcomes.

Research Expectations

Focus & Approach

• Build an independent research program in innovative materials, advanced modeling, earthquake engineering, or performance-based design, appropriate to an undergraduate-focused university.
• Balance experimental, analytical, and computational methods with robust student mentorship.

Output & Support

• Publish in peer-reviewed venues, present at conferences, and pursue collaborations and external support that sustain student research experiences and advance departmental strengths.

Service Commitments

• Contribute to department, school, university, community, and profession through committees, outreach, accreditation, and society engagement.
• Advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across curricula, research, and student support.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Civil/Structural Engineering (or closely related field) by the start date
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels
• Potential for impactful scholarship in structural engineering
• Commitment to collaboration and engagement with a diverse community

Preferred Qualifications

• Evidence of effective teaching with clear outcomes and assessment
• Emerging record of publications, presentations, or funded projects
• Experience with community-engaged learning, industry collaboration, or interdisciplinary initiatives
• Interests spanning sustainable infrastructure, seismic resilience, smart materials, and computational modeling

Workload & Support

Teaching Load

• Standard load: 7 courses across three 10-week quarters
• 1-course reduction supports research; an additional reduction is envisioned to develop a Sustainable Engineering initiative

Scholarly Support

• Sabbaticals, travel funds, and housing assistance help sustain scholarship and ease relocation
• Mentoring within CESE and across campus accelerates
  collaboration and onboarding

Telecommute: SCU is registered to do business in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Approved telecommuting must occur within one of these states.

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Application Instructions (Workday — Req ID R6775)

Apply via SCU’s electronic system and upload the following (PDFs preferred):

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Graduate Transcripts (unofficial acceptable initially)
3. Research Plan including student mentoring
4. Teaching Philosophy/Experience Statement
5. Community Engagement Statement (past, present, planned contributions)
6. Contact Information for Three References
7. Sample Syllabi and Teaching Evaluations, if available

Application Portal: SCU Workday — Job R6775

Current Cycle

• Anticipated Start: September 2026
• Review Begins: November 2025
• Priority Consideration: December 2025
• Status: Open until filled

Next Cycle (month/year; will update soon)

Typical timing suggests the Fall 2027 cycle may open around November 2026, with priority consideration in December 2026. We will update soon.

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Equal Opportunity, Clery, and ADA

Equal Opportunity / Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration without regard to protected characteristics. See the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX for full policies.

Clery Notice

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Act, SCU publishes annual

campus safety reports. View them on Campus Safety Services; printed copies are available at (408) 554-4441.

ADA

SCU provides reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. For application or hiring accommodations, contact [email protected] or (408) 554-5750.

Mission & Impact

This position advances SCU’s commitment to educating engineers who serve the greater good. By integrating innovative materials, advanced modeling, and earthquake engineering, the faculty member will prepare students to design resilient, sustainable structures and apply performance-based methods to reduce risk. Partnerships via the Miller Center and Frugal Innovation Hub expand humanitarian and community-focused opportunities.

Career Development & Collaboration

Regional Partnerships

Engage Silicon Valley partners for sponsored projects, guest lectures, and internships that connect coursework to professional practice.

Professional Societies

Participate in ASCE/SEI, EERI, and regional associations (e.g., SEAONC) to contribute to standards, disseminate findings, and build networks.

Internal & External Links (Suggested)

• Internal:
  • Civil & Structural Faculty Jobs (hub)
  • Writing a Research Statement (guide)
  • Tenure-Track Interview Preparation (resource)
• External (authoritative):
  • ASCE/SEI resources on performance-based structural design
  • EERI resources on earthquake engineering practice

(Add final URLs during CMS publishing; prioritize reputable .edu/.gov/.org sources.)

Review & Update Schedule

Review every 6 months or when salary, dates, teaching load, telecommute policy, or program initiatives change. Refresh links, confirm timelines, and update examples or statistics to maintain accuracy and SEO strength.

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Conclusion

The Assistant Professor in Structural Engineering at Santa Clara University offers a mission-aligned path for a teacher-scholar committed to impactful instruction and research. With modern facilities, strong partnerships, and a student-centered culture, SCU provides the platform to educate, innovate, and serve—while advancing resilient and sustainable infrastructure.
Citation (Conclusion): SCU Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX

References (Official URLs Only)

1. https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/scu/scu/job/Santa-Clara%2C-CA/Assistant-Professor-in-Structural-Engineering_R6775/apply/applyManually
2. https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/

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Feature Table

Feature	Details
Program Name	Assistant Professor in Structural Engineering (Tenure-Track)
Host Country / Region	United States — Santa Clara, California
Funded By	Santa Clara University (School of Engineering, CESE)
Duration	Tenure-track (ongoing appointment)
Study Mode	Full-time, on campus (telecommute eligibility in registered states)
Eligibility	Ph.D. in Civil/Structural Engineering (or related) by start; commitment to teaching, research, and DEI
Financial Support	$113,443–$125,976 salary range; scholarship support; course reductions; housing assistance
Fields of Study	Structural engineering, innovative materials, advanced modeling, earthquake engineering, performance-based design
Application Deadline	Review begins November 2025; priority December 2025; open until filled
Official Website	SCU Workday (Req ID R6775) — application portal

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“Program Card” (Alternate Summary)

Program: Assistant Professor in Structural Engineering
Location: Santa Clara, CA, USA
Duration: Tenure-track
Mode: Full-time
Eligibility: Ph.D. by start; excellence in teaching and research; DEI commitment
Support: $113,443–$125,976; research support; housing assistance
Fields: Structural, Earthquake, Performance-Based Design
Deadline: Review from Nov 2025; priority Dec 2025; open until filled
Official Site: SCU Workday — R6775