Job Details

Postdoctoral Associate

Position Number: 7251792
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Engineering - Civil and Environmental

Postdoctoral Associate

Requisition Number: 72836
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 23-Jun-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering and the Materials Science and Engineering Program invite applications for a Postdoctoral Associate position to perform research in the 'Computational Mechanics Modeling of Roadside Barriers under Severe Vehicular Impact' project under the supervision of Prof. Ronald Pak in concert with the Colorado Department of Transportation. A highly motivated and independent candidate with a PhD in theoretical and experimental mechanics, elastoplastic constitutive soil and rock modeling, fracture with extensive experience and knowledge in computer modeling using the nonlinear finite element platform LS-DYNA for large deformation problems is sought. The Postdoctoral Associate will be responsible to build a versatile computer simulation platform using open-source 3D models of heavy vehicles such as tractors and trailers to provide a sound engineering basis of roadside hardware for extreme scenarios.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The fields of civil, environmental and architectural engineering offer careers in planning, design, construction and management of the built environment as well as in the interaction between the built and natural environment. The Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering's mission is the education of undergraduate and graduate students to become leaders in the professional practice of engineering, contributing to technological advances that benefit humankind while enhancing the earth's physical and biological resources.

The Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering fosters an environment of inclusivity and celebrates the increasing diversity of our student body. We are committed to fostering inclusive excellence and have adopted priorities to guide our values and practices.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Build a versatile LS-DYNA-based 3D computer simulation platform by incorporating existing realistic 3D models of tractors and trailers to provide a sound engineering basis of roadside hardware for extreme scenarios.
Visualize, verify, and validate model developments.
Perform parametric studies.
Calibrate and validate the simulation results against relevant crash tests.
Draft interim and final technical reports of the results and findings.

What We Can Offer

The starting salary for this position will be $60,000 annually.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be imaginative. Be game-changing. Be Boulder.

What We Require

PhD in civil engineering, soil and rock mechanics, geomechanics modeling, or a related field.
Strong foundation on continuum mechanics and numerical modeling,.
Excellent technical writing skills, as demonstrated by high-quality peer-reviewed publications.
Ability to work independently and passion for in-depth mechanics research.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials as individual files:

Cover Letter
Resume/CV
(Optional) Transcripts/Proof of PhD: If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit an English-translated version (if applicable) as an Optional attachment.

During the application process, you will be asked to provide the name and email address for one references, from whom we will request a confidential letter of recommendation immediately following the submission of your complete application.
Please apply by June 23, 2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Postdoctoral-Associate/72836