Assistant Professor in Timber Engineering

The Department of Sustainable Biomaterials (SBIO) at Virginia Tech invites applications for an Assistant Professor in Timber Engineering. The department’s program focuses on developing future leaders in the sustainable utilization of forest-based and other renewable natural materials. We seek highly motivated, collaborative, and innovative candidates. Candidates with particular expertise in the areas of green building or mass timber are preferred. This position entails teaching and research, with skills and expertise required in wood structural design, analytical modeling of structures, connections, test configurations, and wood material science.

Green building can include improvements in the use of structural design, construction and materials related to sustainable biomaterials. Mass timber topics can include the development of novel mass timber products from regional forest resources, improvements in construction methods and other building innovations. A strong inclination towards cooperative collaboration and team building is required to build interdepartmental, interdisciplinary, national and global networks that advance sustainable building practices.

Examples of research activities may include:

• Design, construction and manufacturing of light-frame and mass timber buildings.
• Improving and expanding the role of wood and other sustainable construction materials within green building certification systems.
• Development and production of cross-laminated timber materials from regional materials.
• Modeling and evaluation of connections in light-frame, mass timber and hybrid buildings and components.
• Durability including minimizing decay/deterioration in light-frame and mass timber buildings
• Explore and innovate state-of-the-art construction materials and structural design in building science and smart construction.
• Engage in interdisciplinary research to address critical challenges in the construction industry.

The successful candidate must display teaching excellence and develop an internationally recognized and externally funded research program focused on developing technical solutions to encourage the use of wood and related bio-based materials to help secure a sustainable and carbon-neutral wood construction industry.

The position is a tenure-track, 9-month appointment with primary responsibilities in teaching (50%) and research (50%). Teaching responsibilities could include Green Building Systems, Design of Wood Structures, Performance of Wood Buildings, as well as graduate teaching opportunities. Advising and mentoring of graduate students is required. Participation in departmental, college and university affairs are expected.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in wood science, architectural/civil/structural engineering or a closely related discipline by the appointment start date.
• Demonstrated ability to teach undergraduate and graduate classes in timber design/mechanics and performance of buildings.
• Understand the physical, hygrothermal and mechanical properties of wood and other bio-based materials.
• Knowledge of building codes and standards in the United States, including the National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS).
• Demonstrated record of scholarship in the timber engineering field.
• Preferred Qualifications
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in the Commonwealth of Virginia or equivalent.
• Experience in the engineering design of mass timber or light-frame buildings.

Required Application Materials:

CV/Resume; One page cover letter including statement of interest in the position; Teaching philosophy statement (up to 3 pages); Research philosophy statement (up to 3 pages); names, titles and contact information for 3 references.

Review Date: May 15, 2025.

About Virginia Tech:

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.