Electrified Transportation Systems and Infrastructure Category:
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Civil Engineering Locations:
El Paso, TX Posted:
Jul 17, 2026
Closes:
Open Until Filled Type:
Full-time Ref. No.:
RREP-26-77
Position ID:
202760 Share About The University of Texas at
El Paso:
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a Carnegie R1 and community-engaged university at the heart of the U.S.-Mexico border region that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance the discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve. UTEP enrolls 26,000 students - 85% of whom are Hispanic and half of whom are the first in their families to attend college. UTEP offers 169 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America. The city's border location makes it an ideal venue for academic programs and research studies on topics of national interest, such as bilingual education/language acquisition, Hispanic health disparities, border environment and immigration, environmental sustainability and infrastructure, and international trade and commerce. El Paso's cultural diversity and geographical position make it an ideal location for collaboration and engagement in binational research and community partnerships. The city enjoys over 300 days of sunshine annually, a low cost of living, and offers a range of outdoor activities and cultural events, contributing to an outstanding quality of life for its residents. The College of Engineering is among the nation's leading producers of Hispanic engineers and offers exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary research and innovation. About
ASPIRE ASPIRE
is a 4th-generation National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center (NSF-ERC) advancing infrastructure and systems solutions to electrify the transportation sector. With headquarters at Utah State University (USU), ASPIRE brings together UTEP and nine other academic institutions, including an international collaborator. ASPIRE is organized around four major thrust areas: Data (data analysis and fusion, AI and optimization, cybersecurity, IoT, networks), Adoption (user acceptance, public policy, economic impact), Power (power systems, grid-integrated charging systems, battery systems), and Transportation (systems and infrastructure). These areas are organized into four integrated projects with tasks led by interdisciplinary, multi-institutional teams: Charging Stations of the Future, Electrified Roadways, Integrated Systems, and Pathways. ASPIRE pioneers the integration of the transportation and electric utility infrastructure into an integrated system. Since its launch in 2020, ASPIRE has secured $192M in funding including $25.3M in Year 5 alone and expanded its Electric Vehicle Roadway (EVR) facility at USU with an infusion of $15M from the state of Utah. This facility enables full systems-level research, demonstration, and validation, already leveraged by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to evaluate commercial and pre-commercial technologies from industry partners. ASPIRE has an extensive innovation ecosystem that includes over 70 industry members from varied sectors including local government, industry, and international academic institutions. Examples of ASPIRE breakthroughs in partnerships with our industry partners include: The world's first 1 megawatt wireless charger for heavy-duty trucks, piloted at the Utah Inland Port and
ASPIRE EVR
testbed with USU, Kenworth, PacifiCorp and UPS. The world's first high-power, three-phase Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT) system for Class 8 trucks demonstrated at highway speeds on
US 52/231
from Purdue University with
AECOM, P.C.
Krause and Associates, and Cummins Inc. and Indiana Department of Transportation (INDoT). A growing IP portfolio with 39 patents and 17 more in the pipeline. The ASPIRE program has recently become the ASPIRE Foundation, a wholly owned nonprofit of USU. The Foundation serves as the link between university partner innovation and societal impact. ASPIRE plans to champion national initiatives in technology and workforce development and to support large-scale technology deployment across the country.
Job Description:
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) seeks an outstanding scholar and leader to advance high-impact research within the
NSF ASPIRE
Engineering Research Center (ERC), a fourth-generation NSF Engineering Research Center focused on intelligent infrastructure and systems at the transportation-grid edge. ASPIRE advances wireless charging technologies, intelligent transportation systems, cybersecurity, workforce development, and stakeholder engagement to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable transportation future. As a core ASPIRE institution and with support from the University of Texas Board of Regents, UTEP seeks to recruit an outstanding research faculty member to expand interdisciplinary research, foster strategic partnerships, and advance the deployment of transportation electrification and infrastructure technologies across Texas, the Southwest, and beyond. The University of Texas at El Paso seeks a highly qualified research professor to join the College of Engineering. With support from the University of Texas System Board of Regents, UTEP seeks to recruit an outstanding research leader to advance research in transportation electrification, electric vehicle infrastructure, and intelligent transportation systems. The successful candidate will help expand UTEP's leadership within the
NSF ASPIRE
Engineering Research Center by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthening strategic partnerships, and accelerating the deployment and adoption of electrified transportation technologies across Texas and the Southwest region. The successful candidate will develop and lead a nationally recognized research program focused on high-technology readiness level (TRL) research, demonstration, validation, and deployment activities that advance ASPIRE's mission. The faculty member will collaborate with researchers across ASPIRE partner institutions, industry members, utilities, transportation agencies, and community stakeholders to accelerate the transition of transportation electrification technologies from research to real-world implementation. This position offers a unique opportunity to advance high-TRL transportation electrification research within one of the nation's premier engineering research centers while leveraging a broad network of universities, industry, and government partners. Responsibilities Develop and sustain an internationally recognized research program in transportation electrification and related fields. Lead high-TRL research, demonstration, validation, and deployment activities aligned with the ASPIRE mission. Pursue and secure extramural funding from federal, state, and private-sector sources. Build partnerships with industry, utilities, transportation agencies, national laboratories, and community stakeholders in partnership with ASPIRE. Collaborate with ASPIRE researchers across participating institutions. Mentor undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and research staff. Support workforce development and community engagement initiatives.
Requirements:
Minimum Requirements An earned doctorate in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Materials Engineering, Energy Systems Engineering, or a closely related field. Demonstrated record of scholarly achievement, external funding success, ecosystem stakeholder engagement, and strong leadership and communication skills. Experience in validation, prototyping, demonstration, integration, and transition to operational use of technology. Preferred Qualifications National or international recognition in a relevant field; experience leading multidisciplinary research programs; experience with federally funded research centers or public-private partnerships; commitment to mentoring; and a strong network of research, industry, and government collaborators.
Additional Information:
Salary and benefits are highly competitive and commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank. UTEP offers an attractive compensation package and significant opportunities for research growth and leadership. In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment. The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries-including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident-about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at titleix@utep.edu , or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 312. For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu . To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.
Application Instructions:
Applicants must submit: (1) cover letter; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) research and strategic vision statement; (4) statement describing stakeholder engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and partnership-building experience; (5) mentoring statement; and (6) contact information for at least three professional references. Applications should be submitted through www.utep.edu/employment. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. For information/inquiries regarding the position, please email Dr. Ivonne Santiago at isantiago@utep.edu Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Powered by
