Postdoctoral Researcher - Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Wadsworth Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at
West Virginia University (WVU) invites applications for a
Postdoctoral Researcher to work with Dr. Onur Avci on
interdisciplinary research involving artificial intelligence,
machine learning, computer vision, structural health monitoring,
and condition assessment of civil infrastructure. The successful
candidate will contribute primarily to externally funded research
projects focused on applying advanced sensing, computational, and
AI-based methods to infrastructure monitoring and decision-making.
The projects focus on the development of automated methods for
detecting and characterizing anomalies at mine-land and impoundment
facilities; and identifying drainage conditions that contribute to
pavement deterioration and developing data-driven methods for early
detection and intervention prioritization. Research activities
include the analysis of UAV-acquired imagery, LiDAR and 3D
point-cloud data, computer-vision-based anomaly detection, machine
learning, transfer learning, automated condition assessment;
pavement condition and field-monitoring data; moisture
measurements; computer vision; multimodal data integration; and
development of infrastructure risk and decision-support
tools.

Anticipated Start Date: January 2027

Appointment: Full-time, one-year appointment with potential
for renewal based on performance and availability of funding

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Develop and implement machine-learning, deep-learning, and

computer-vision methods for civil infrastructure applications.

• Process and analyze imagery, LiDAR/point-cloud, sensor, field,

and infrastructure-condition datasets.

• Develop computational workflows for infrastructure anomaly

detection, classification, condition assessment, and risk
evaluation.

• Participate in field-data collection, experimental planning,

and validation of developed methods.

• Integrate multiple data sources to support infrastructure

monitoring and decision-making.

• Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed journal manuscripts,

conference papers, and presentations.

• Contribute to research proposal development and project

deliverables.

• Collaborate with faculty, graduate students, government

agencies, and other project partners.

• Assist in mentoring graduate and undergraduate

researchers.

Qualifications :

Required Qualifications

Applicants must have:

• A Ph.D. in Civil Engineering completed by the anticipated start

date.

• Strong programming skills in Python.
• Experience with machine learning and/or deep learning.
• Experience with computer vision and image/data analysis.
• Experience with computational analysis and scientific

programming.

• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to conduct independent research while working

effectively within a multidisciplinary research team.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least three lead-author peer-reviewed publications.
• Research experience applying AI/ML to civil infrastructure,

structural health monitoring, or infrastructure condition
assessment.

• Experience with UAV-based inspection, RGB or thermal imagery,

LiDAR, 3D point clouds, or other remote-sensing data.

• Experience developing deep-learning models for image

classification, object detection, semantic segmentation, anomaly
detection, or related applications.

• Experience working with large or heterogeneous engineering

datasets.

• Experience with transportation infrastructure, pavement

engineering, dams, embankments, mine-land infrastructure, or
related systems.

• Demonstrated ability to prepare high-quality journal

manuscripts and technical reports.

Application Materials

Interested applicants should submit:

• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter describing research experience and interest in the

position

• Brief research statement
• Copies or links to selected publications
• Contact information for three references

Applications should be submitted to https://careers.wvu.edu/career-opportunities.

Review of applications will begin November 9, 2026, and continue
until the position is filled.

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We
take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and
are committed to the personal and professional growth of our
employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in
Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in
Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in
Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the
state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions
work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core
values — service, curiosity, respect, accountability and
appreciation — unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a
lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu .

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We
invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic
information, or Veteran status.