Job Description

Post docs will be sought in one or more of the following areas to support infrastructure inspection and maintenance: (1) artificial intelligence and machine learning, (2) robotics with aerial manipulation, and (3) augmented reality, virtual reality, and digital twin.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. The successful candidate will help develop a deep learning defect detection approach for utility-scale solar farms from drone-based thermal and hyperspectral imaging.  This study is to address the challenges of data collection and data processing that existing drone-enabled thermal imagining inspection techniques face with.  In addition to the infrared and hyperspectral cameras, a Global Positioning System (GPS)/Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) device will be mounted on a drone for automatic geo-referencing of the defects on solar panels.  The hyperspectral camera is used instead of a RBG camera because the sunlight reflection in hyperspectral imaging will be beneficial to the data collection in daytime, which can significantly reduce the difficulty of data collection task associated with RGB imaging and improve the data quality.  In the data process task, an online user-friendly platform integrated with deep learning models will be developed for automatic image analysis and localization.

Robotics with Aerial Manipulation. The successful candidate will help develop a new robotic platform to support inspection and/or maintenance with active robotic arms. Robot actions include the placement of sensors on elevated structures to quantify defects/damage, the robotic interaction with elevated structures for active nondestructive evaluation, and the local maintenance of bridges such as crack sealing and debris cleaning. Robots can be in the form of unmanned aerial vehicles and structural crawlers or their combination. System integration and prototyping expertise and hands-on experience are of great interest.

Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Digital Twin. The successful candidate will help develop and set up a new visual inspection laboratory with augmented learning and train a cohort of 10 robot operators for bridge inspection each class. In addition, the candidate will conduct innovative research to advance augmented/virtual reality technologies for effective infrastructure inspection and hazard mitigation training, and to combine augmented/virtual reality with computational modeling to develop a digital twin of an infrastructure environment with two-way digital threads between digital and physical worlds. The new lab will be equipped with an augmented/virtual reality environment for three levels of robotic training. At the first level, both a robot and a bridge will be simulated using 3D models and visualization tools in a controllable (virtual) environment. At the second level, a robot prototype and a virtual bridge will be simulated in a hybrid real and virtual world. At the third level, both a robot and a bridge will be prototyped for the ultimate training of pilots/inspectors in various real-world scenarios.

Review of applications will begin as they receive and will continue until the position is filled. Interested candidates should electronically submit an application package consisting of a cover letter, a current curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests and goals, and complete contact information for three references to the Missouri University of Science and Technology’s Human Resource Office using the following link: https://hr.mst.edu/careers/. All submitted application materials must have the position reference number 00038067 in order to be processed. Acceptable electronic formats that can be used for email attachments include PDF and Word; hardcopy application materials will not be accepted.

Minimum Qualifications

Ph. D.

Preferred Qualifications

Ph.D. in civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or computer science

Comments

The final candidate is required to provide copies of official transcript(s) for any college degree(s) listed in application materials submitted. Copies of transcript(s) should be provided prior to the start of employment. In addition, the final candidate may be required to verify other credentials listed in application materials.

Failure to provide official transcript(s) or other required verification may result in the withdrawal of the job offer.

All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America.

The University's nondiscrimination policy applies to any phase of its employment process, any phase of its admission or financial aid programs, or other aspects of its educational programs or activities.  Further, this policy applies to sexual violence or sexual harassment, both forms of sex discrimination, occurring within the educational program and instances occurring outside of the educational program if the conduct negatively affects the victim’s educational experience or the overall campus environment. 

Any person having inquiries concerning the application of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 or other civil rights laws should contact  the Title IX Coordinator. 

Job Description

The Center for Intelligent Infrastructure at Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly University of Missouri-Rolla) seeks to expand its research capabilities in autonomous inspection and maintenance of civil infrastructure (e.g., bridges and tunnels) by inviting applications for a research engineer position, commencing August 2021.  The annual salary for this position is around $60,000 plus full benefits.  This position could be appointed for four years or longer, serving as a team leader of an inspection crew of three people and as a coordinator with seven state Departments of Transportation.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate ability to work in laboratory and field environments and willingness to do heavy lifting and long distance travel.  Candidates must have an earned undergraduate degree in civil engineering from an ABET/EAC accredited program or equivalent, and some experience in bridge inspection and maintenance.  Superior communication and interpersonal skills, leadership capabilities, and the ability to engage in collaborative and interdisciplinary research teams are also required attributes.  Licensure as a professional engineer in civil engineering in the State of Missouri is expected within one year of appointment.  Knowledge about any bridge management software such as PONTIS is strongly encouraged.  Familiarity to nondestructive evaluation and test of bridges is a plus.

The Center for Intelligent Infrastructure has recently been established at Missouri University of Science and Technology in recognition of nation's growing interests in infrastructure research using advanced technologies such as robots, remote sensing, nondestructive evaluation, structural health monitoring, data analytics, and asset management.  The Center currently has expertise in civil engineering, computer science, economics, electrical engineering, engineering management and systems engineering, power engineering, and multi-hazards engineering (earthquake, tornado, flood, etc.)  Its current research programs are focused on the preservation, safety, resilience, and sustainability of transportation infrastructure systems.  The Center is envisioned to extend its autonomous inspection and maintenance capabilities from bridges to other infrastructures such as dams, building, levees, offshore platforms, pipelines, power plants, roads, transmission towers, and tunnels.  The successful candidate will have the opportunity to interact with interdisciplinary research teams across campus, including the Tier I University Transportation Center (see http://inspire-utc.mst.edu), Mid-America Transportation Center (see https://matc.unl.edu/), the National Center for Transportation Infrastructure Durability and Life-Extension, the Center for Infrastructure Engineering Studies (see http://cies.mst.edu/), the Wei-Wen Yu Center for Cold Formed Steel Structures (see http://ccfssonline.org), the Intelligent Systems Center (see http://isc.mst.edu), and the Materials Research Center (see http://mrc.mst.edu/).

Review of applications will begin as they are received and will continue until the position is filled.  Interested candidates should electronically submit an application consisting of a cover letter, a current curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests and goals, and complete contact information for three references to the Missouri University of Science and Technology's Human Resource Office using the following link:  https://hr.mst.edu/careers/.  All submitted application materials must have the position reference number 00075187 in order to be processed.  Acceptable electronic formats that can be used for email attachments include PDF and Word; hardcopy application materials will not be accepted.

Minimum Qualifications

B.S. civil engineering from ABET/EAC accredited program or equivalent, bridge inspection and maintenance.  Superior communication and interpersonal skills, leadership capabilities, and the ability to engage in collaborative and interdisciplinary research teams is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Licensure as a professional engineer in civil engineering in the State of Missouri is expected within one year of appointment.  Knowledge of bridge management software such as PONTIS is strongly encouraged.  Familiarity to nondestructive evaluation and test of bridges is a plus.

Missouri University of Science and Technology participates in E-Verify.  For more information on E-Verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218.  The final candidate is required to provide official transcript(s) for any college degree(s) listed in application materials submitted.  Copies of transcript(s) must be provided prior to the state of employment.  In addition, the final candidate may be required to verify other credentials listed in application materials.  Failure to provide official transcript(s) or other required verification may result in the withdrawal of the job offer.  Females, minorities, and personsn with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Missouri University of Science and Technology is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and is responsive to the needs of dual-career couples.

Comments

The final candidate is required to provide copies of official transcript(s) for any college degree(s) listed in application materials submitted. Copies of transcript(s) should be provided prior to the start of employment. In addition, the final candidate may be required to verify other credentials listed in application materials.

Failure to provide official transcript(s) or other required verification may result in the withdrawal of the job offer.

All job offers are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.

The University of Missouri is an equal access, equal opportunity, affirmative action employer that is fully committed to achieving a diverse faculty and staff.  Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America.

The University's nondiscrimination policy applies to any phase of its employment process, any phase of its admission or financial aid programs, or other aspects of its educational programs or activities.  Further, this policy applies to sexual violence or sexual harassment, both forms of sex discrimination, occurring within the educational program and instances occurring outside of the educational program if the conduct negatively affects the victim’s educational experience or the overall campus environment. 

Any person having inquiries concerning the application of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 or other civil rights laws should contact the Title IX Coordinator.