Associate Transportation Researcher

Job Title

Associate Transportation Researcher

Agency

Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Department

Transit Mobility

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Austin, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Who are we?

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) is an agency of the State of Texas and member of The Texas A&M University System. For 70 years, TTI has addressed complex transportation challenges and opportunities with innovation, objectivity, and unmatched technical expertise. Our staff delivers excellence, value and thought leadership to ensure our research sponsors achieve their goals.

Our Mission and Vision

Our Vision - TTI leads in the creation of knowledge that transforms transportation for the benefit of society.

Our Mission - TTI delivers practical, innovative and sustainable solutions to improve the movement of people, data and goods through research, education and technology transfer.

Our Work Environment

Entrepreneurial culture

Affiliation with Texas A&M University students and faculty

Ability to work with nationally recognized experts

Ability to help train the next generation of transportation professionals

Premier office and research facilities and equipment

Accredited laboratories and safety proving ground

Outstanding research support services

Hybrid work environment/telecommuting

Flexible work hours

Family friendly

High staff retention rates

Leadership development and wellness programs

Data allowance and home office equipment reimbursements

Relocation assistance (if eligible)

Ph.D. reimbursement program (if eligible)

Our Employee Benefits

TTI employees can choose from several health coverage options offered by The Texas A&M University System for themselves and their families, as well as numerous other benefit programs.

https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/

What you need to know:

• The typical salary range for this position is $60K - $65K. Final salary will be determined based on the applicant’s qualifications and experience.

• This position has the flexibility of a hybrid remote option that can be discussed further during the interview process.

Job Summary

Enhance and support public transportation and shared mobility by conducting applied research in a support role while quickly developing the skills needed to lead increasingly complicated research tasks and projects. Learn skills and techniques needed to develop new research opportunities and expand your personal research portfolio. Specific duties include coordinating and collecting data from a wide variety of quantitative and qualitative sources, analyzing data (including data from surveys, the Census, intelligent transportation systems, databases, agency workbooks, interviews, and other sources), writing reports, planning and conducting research activities, performing literature reviews, preparing and delivering presentations, participating in conferences, supporting public and stakeholder engagement activities, and others. Continued employment in this position is contingent upon availability of funding and satisfactory performance.

This position is in the Transit Mobility Program at Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI). The Transit Mobility Program delivers practical, data-driven, innovative, person-centered solutions to improve the accessibility, equity, efficiency, effectiveness, and safety of public transportation through research, education, and technology transfer. The Transit Mobility Program team conducts research and provides technical assistance and training for national sponsors (e.g., the Transit Cooperative Research Program), for the Texas Department of Transportation, and regional and local transportation agencies both inside and outside of Texas.

TTI has Texas offices in College Station, Austin, Houston, Dallas, Arlington, and El Paso; one of these locations would be preferred. However, location and working arrangement (i.e., on site, hybrid, or remote) is negotiable with the ideal candidate.

Essential Duties

• 50% - Applied research duties, including data collection, analysis, coordination, and supervision:

  • Plan, schedule, coordinate, and report detailed phases of research and development projects.

  • Evaluate and document data collection requirements and activities.

  • Coordinate data gathering activities and gather data needed for research tasks.

  • Assemble, organize, document, and archive datasets.

  • Synthesize data and extract meaningful statistics and trends.

  • Develop and/or run applications to conduct the research.

  • Analyze and develop potential new techniques, policies, procedures, and recommendations.

  • Manage, communicate, and coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams comprising research staff, graduate and undergraduate students, and support staff to ensure the completion of research objectives and timely delivery of high-quality project deliverables

• 35% - Compile, document, and present results in formats required for inclusion in reports, technical memoranda, and presentations:

  • Prepare technical documentation, including data collection, analysis, and summaries.

  • Prepare tables, charts, maps, and other graphics to display research methods and results.

  • Prepare project reports and other deliverables as required.

  • Prepare materials for presentation of research results and other deliverables at technical meetings or other venues and to sponsors

• 10% - Assist senior researchers with research development:

  • Contribute to proposal development.

  • Prepare and give presentations to existing and potential sponsors, in academic settings, or in conference settings.

  • Prepare, schedule, conduct, and document research meetings

• 5% - Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Community, Urban, or Transportation Planning; Geography; Statistics; Business Administration; Public Administration; Public Policy; or related fields. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

• One year of relevant experience

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Knowledge of the fundamentals of the scientific method and basic research design.

• Proficient at word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications (particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

• Ability to work cooperatively and productively with others.

• Ability to present information clearly and concisely.

• Ability to perform literature searches and industry scans and synthesize collected information.

• Ability to use computers for email, attending web conferences and meetings, and to facilitate day-to-day activities.

• Ability to work independently and on a team with minimal supervision.

• Ability to handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously and prioritize work to meet deadlines.

• Excellent time management.

• Excellent written communication, analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

• Excellent data analysis and critical thinking skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience (professional, academic, or volunteer) working with transit or transportation agencies, research organizations, or private companies.

• Interest in and a commitment to supporting and transforming public transportation, shared mobility, and multi-modal access for the benefit of society.

• Experience speaking publicly and tailoring the presentation of information to a specific audience.

• Experience coordinating and facilitating groups (e.g., community organizing, workshops, trainings).

• Ability to create appealing visuals, including tables, charts, and infographics.

Knowledge or experience in one or more of these topics is preferred:

• On-demand transit (e.g., microtransit) and paratransit.

• Transit fleet electrification and/or alternative fuels.

• Transit vehicle automation.

• Rural and small urban transit.

• Transit accessibility and equity.

The following may be useful supporting skills but do not qualify or disqualify you for this position

• Knowledge of and skills working with geographical information systems (GIS), databases (Access or other), advanced spreadsheet functions/formulas, or other data analysis software.

• Ability to build surveys and data collection instruments using web-based tools.

• Scripting and programming skills (e.g., Visual Basic for Applications, Python, Ruby, SQL, R, and others).

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.