Assistant Professor in Computational Methods for Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Northwestern University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position in the broad area of artificial intelligence and data science for water. The successful candidate is expected to build and sustain a world-class research program in intelligent, adaptive, and autonomous water technologies for water-resilient communities, integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning into the design, optimization, and security of next-generation water systems. Candidates working on all aspects of this problem are welcome to apply, including AI-enabled water treatment technologies, optimization of water treatment processes and systems, water resources data analysis and planning, water reuse and resource recovery, and links between water quality and public health. Research approaches can include theoretical, computational, and experimental methods. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or be near completion of their doctoral studies with demonstrated potential to develop an advanced research and education program. The faculty appointment could be made at the level of either assistant professor or associate professor.

Northwestern University is a leading R1 university with a number of highly ranked schools and departments that provide exceptional opportunities for collaboration across a wide range of disciplines. The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is ranked 13th in the US, and the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science is ranked 16th. The successful candidate is expected to develop collaborations leveraging Northwestern’s robust research centers and institutes, including the Northwestern Center for Water, Center for Engineering Sustainability & Resilience, Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy, Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems, and substantial new investments in the Northwestern Network for Collaborative Intelligence and the Thriving Planet Institute. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan, just outside the city of Chicago, providing excellent opportunities to engage in water research with high-tech industry and a variety of governmental agencies. Northwestern is a founding member of a regional water hub Current Innovation and the NSF Great Lakes ReNEW Water Innovation Engine, providing a network of collaborators and ongoing funding to support water research.

Application instructions: Candidates should submit 1) a cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) statement of research, 4) statement of teaching, and 5) the names and contact information for three to five references. In the cover letter, candidates should summarize their qualifications in developing research and education programs in artificial intelligence and data science for water. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To receive full consideration, all materials should be received by December 1, 2026. Application materials must be uploaded here. General inquiries can be sent to the Search Committee Chair at CEEcareers@northwestern.edu.

Compensation: The expected base pay range for this position at the Assistant Professor level is $133,000 – $143,000 and at the Associate Professor level is $145,000 – $158,000. This base pay range is for a nine-month academic appointment, does not include summer salary, and is subject to negotiation. Sponsorship for an H-1B visa may be available for qualified candidates, subject to institutional policies and applicable immigration regulations.

Application instructions: Candidates should submit 1) a cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) statement of research, 4) statement of teaching, and 5) the names and contact information for three to five references. In the cover letter, candidates should summarize their qualifications in developing research and education programs in artificial intelligence and data science for water. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To receive full consideration, all materials should be received by December 1, 2026. General inquiries can be sent to the Search Committee Chair at CEEcareers@northwestern.edu.

Submit Your Application Here.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern’s non-discrimination statement . Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process .