Postdoctoral Researcher

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Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Researcher (Multiple Levels)

Position Type:

Other Academic

Department:

LSUAM Engineering - CM - Advanced Productivity (Jonathan Shi (00008470))

Work Location:

3319 Patrick F. Taylor Hall

Pay Grade:

Job Description:

Postdoctoral Researcher / Research Associate 5 / Research Associate 4

This position is with The Bert S. Turner Department of Construction Management at Louisiana State University in Patrick F Taylor Hall. We are seeking a highly motivated Research Fellow or Associate to join our team of experts in advanced technology research. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about pioneering new technologies, exploring novel solutions, and applying their skills to impactful projects. The successful candidate will conduct innovative research, analyze data, and contribute to publications and patent filings. This role requires a combination of technical expertise, creativity, and a strong research and development background.

Postdoctoral Researcher

The Bert S. Turner Department of Construction Management is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our team of experts in advanced technology research. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about pioneering new technologies, exploring novel solutions, and applying their skills to impactful projects. The successful candidate will conduct innovative research, analyze data, and contribute to publications and patent filings. This role requires a combination of technical expertise, creativity, and a strong research background.

This individual will manage a major research program with responsibility for planning, organizing, and directing the daily operations; conduct advanced scientific research which may result in significant new technologies, methodologies, or ideas; disseminate the research in journals, articles, professional meetings, classes, etc.; participate in major hearings, presentations, and public meetings to provide expert testimony; and also represent the project/program, and resolves significant issues which may impact or result from the research.

Postdoctoral Researcher Job Responsibilities:

50% - Manages a major research program with responsibility for planning, organizing, and directing the daily operations. Conduct high-quality research and development on advanced technologies, with a focus on smart wearable technologies, AI, robotics and their applications in construction and manufacturing industries.

15% - Contribute to research publications, technical reports, and conference presentations. Disseminate the research in journals, articles, professional meetings, classes, etc.

15% - Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to align research objectives with organizational goals. Participates in major hearings, presentations, and public meetings to provide expert testimony. Represents the project/program, and resolves significant issues which may impact or result from the research.

10% - Conducts advanced scientific research which may result in significant new technologies, methodologies, or ideas. Design and implement experiments to validate concepts and enhance technology capabilities. Analyze experimental results, develop theoretical models, and draw actionable insights.

10% - Identify and secure research funding by drafting grant proposals and engaging with funding bodies. Other duties as assigned.

Postdoctoral Researcher Minimum Qualifications:

Ph.D. Degree and relevant experience in Computer Science or Engineering with a focus on advanced technologies, hands-on experience related to the field, e.g., AI/ML frameworks, robotic systems, wearable technology.

Demonstrated experience in conducting independent research and publishing in peer-reviewed journals. Proficiency in relevant technical tools, programming languages, and platforms (e.g., Python, MATLAB, specific industry software). Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills. 

Research Associate 5

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate 5 to join our team of experts in advanced technology research. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about pioneering new technologies, exploring novel solutions, and applying their skills to impactful projects. The successful candidate will conduct innovative research, analyze data, and contribute to publications and patent filings. This role requires a combination of technical expertise, creativity, and a strong research background.

This individual will operate highly specialized and advanced equipment and/or performs specialized advanced tests to analyze and interpret results in specialized field; supervise professional staff which includes hiring, evaluation, counseling, and training employees; and also provide direct management support in initiating and developing contacts with grant/contract agencies and sources and in developing funding sources.

Research Associate 5 Job Responsibilities:

50% - Conduct high-quality research and development on advanced technologies, with a focus on smart wearable technologies, AI, robotics and their applications in construction and manufacturing industries.

15% - Contribute to research publications, technical reports, and conference presentations.

15% - Supervise professional staff which includes hiring, evaluation, counseling, and training employees. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to align research objectives with organizational goals.

10% - Design and implement experiments to validate concepts and enhance technology capabilities. Analyze experimental results, develop theoretical models, and draw actionable insights. Operate highly specialized and advanced equipment and/or performs specialized advanced tests to analyze and interpret results in specialized field.

10% - Identify and secure research funding by drafting grant proposals and engaging with funding bodies. Provide direct management support in initiating and developing contacts with grant/contract agencies and sources and in developing funding sources. Other duties as assigned.

Research Associate 5 Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree and two years of related experience OR a terminal degree (Ph.D.) with a focus on advanced technologies

Research Associate 4:

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate 4 to join our team in advanced technology research. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about pioneering new technologies, exploring novel solutions, and applying their skills to impactful projects. The successful candidate will conduct innovative research, analyze data, and contribute to publications and patent filings. This role requires a combination of technical expertise, creativity, and a strong research background.

This individual will develop new techniques or solutions to complex research problems based on advanced scientific research; prepare reports described in accordance with professional standards; apply advanced computer skills and apply advanced computer knowledge and abilities to significantly develop, adapt, or modify computer hardware, software, networks, and/or peripheral equipment to aid research or public service efforts; conduct highly specialized and highly technical research utilizing scientific equipment/procedures; work autonomously to perform a complete set of complex tests/procedures for a specialized field giving technical advice to lower-level research associates; and provide independent research with only some administrative direction but little technical supervision.

Research Associate 4 Job Responsibilities:

50% - Conduct high-quality research and development on advanced technologies, with a focus on smart wearable technologies, AI, robotics and their applications in construction and manufacturing industries. Develop new techniques or solutions to complex research problems based on advanced scientific research.

15% - Works autonomously to perform a complete set of complex tests/procedures for a specialized field giving technical advice to lower-level research associates. Provides independent research with only some administrative direction but little technical supervision. Contribute to research publications, technical reports, and conference presentations. Prepare reports described in accordance with professional standards.

15% - Collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to align research objectives with organizational goals.

10% - Design and implement experiments to validate concepts and enhance technology capabilities. Analyze experimental results, develop theoretical models, and draw actionable insights. Applies advanced computer skills and apply advanced computer knowledge and abilities to significantly develop, adapt, or modify computer hardware, software, networks, and/or peripheral equipment to aid research or public service efforts.

10% - Identify and secure research funding by drafting grant proposals and engaging with funding bodies. Other duties as assigned

Research Associate 4 Minimum Qualifications:

Master’s degree and two years of related experience or a bachelor’s degree and four years of related experience in computer science or engineering

Examples of Work:
Postdoctoral Researcher:
Manages a major research program with responsibility for planning, organizing, and directing the daily operations.
Conducts advanced scientific research which may result in significant new technologies, methodologies, or ideas.
Disseminate the research in journals, articles, professional meetings, classes, etc.
Participates in major hearings, presentations, and public meetings to provide expert testimony.
Represents the project/program, and resolves significant issues which may impact or result from the research.
Research Associate 5 (additional duties besides RA 4):
Operates highly specialized and advanced equipment and/or performs specialized advanced tests to analyze and interpret results in specialized field.
Supervises professional staff which includes hiring, evaluation, counseling, and training employees.
Provides direct management support in initiating and developing contacts with grant/contract agencies and sources and in developing funding sources. 
Research Associate 4: 
Develops new techniques or solutions to complex research problems based on advanced scientific research.
Prepares reports described in accordance with professional standards.
Applies advanced computer skills and apply advanced computer knowledge and abilities to significantly develop, adapt, or modify computer hardware, software, networks, and/or peripheral equipment to aid research or public service efforts. 
Conducts highly specialized and highly technical research utilizing scientific equipment/procedures.
Works autonomously to perform a complete set of complex tests/procedures for a specialized field giving technical advice to lower-level research associates.
Provides independent research with only some administrative direction but little technical supervision.
 

Department Information:
The CM Department and its related research centers have 19 faculty and 10 staff members. This growing collection of faculty and staff combines their strengths and talents to meet the teaching, research, and outreach of the Department. They are actively supported by a large construction industry base that has gifted funds for endowed chairs, professorships, scholarships, and discretionary funding. There are 1,619 students across four undergraduate degree programs (campus and online) that are studying to major, or intending to major, in construction or facilities management. In addition, we have 132 graduate students working towards a Master of Science in CM (campus and online) and 60 working towards their Ph.D. in CM. The LSU CM undergraduate and master’s programs are accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE). The CM Department houses three federally funded centers: Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC) and the Commercial Assessment Center funded by the US Department of Energy, and the Region 6’s University Transportation Center (Tran-SET) funded by the US Department of Transportation. There are 80+ research grants and sub-grants within the CM Department averaging around $3.5 million annually.  The CM Department is expanding into a new building centered on construction and advanced manufacturing and is expected to break ground sometime in 2026. 

Additional Job Description:

Special Instructions:

Please include you CV, letter of interest, and three professional references in your application. Official transcripts required prior to hire. For questions regarding the position, please reach out to the hiring manager, Dr. Jonathan Shi, at [email protected].

Posting Date:

July 30, 2025

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

Additional Position Information:

Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits - LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

Essential Position (Y/N):

LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

HCM Contact Information: