METRANS Postdoctoral Scholar - Research Associate

In order for your application to be considered, you must attach a cover letter and CV to your employment application.

The METRANS Transportation Center is seeking candidates for a 12 month, full-time postdoctoral research position. The position includes conducting research on transportation systems and performance with multi-disciplinary teams.  This position focuses on urban transportation planning.  Examples of projects include development of transportation planning and management applications using real-time transportation system data; online shopping and travel behavior; innovative strategies for understanding freight activity in metropolitan areas; and reducing emissions from freight vehicles.  The position may also include teaching one course in transportation planning or analytical methods.

Candidates should possess the following qualifications: 1) PhD in transportation planning, transportation engineering or a closely related field completed within the past two years; 2) experience in constructing, processing, cleaning, and analyzing large datasets; 3) experience with database management (e.g. Oracle) and SQL or Python programming; 4) expertise in ArcGIS, including mapping as well as geostatistical and network analysis; 5) expertise in econometrics and statistical analysis; 6) working knowledge of software such as Stata, R, or SAS.

In addition, the preferred candidates would have prior experience of working in multidisciplinary (e.g. social scientists, engineers, and computer scientists) projects involving big data management and application. The preferred candidates would also be willing to manage grant-funded projects, write new grant proposals, and provide technical assistance to various regional government planning agencies. Familiarity with multiple computer programming languages is a plus.

This is a 12 month, fixed-term position with the possibility of a second year conditional upon performance and funding availability.

About the METRANS Transportation Center:

The METRANS Transportation Center was established in 1998 through the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) as the first University Transportation Center in Southern California. METRANS is a joint partnership of the University of Southern California (USC) and California State University Long Beach (CSULB). METRANS is housed at the Sol Price School of Public Policy, USC.  At USC METRANS researchers span urban planning, public policy, and all fields of engineering.

The mission of the METRANS Transportation Center is to solve transportation problems of large metropolitan regions through interdisciplinary research, education and outreach.  METRANS has three primary objectives: 1) Foster independent, high quality research to solve the nation's transportation problems; 2) Train the next generation transportation workforce; and 3) Disseminate information, best practices, and technology to the professional community.  We accomplish these objectives through a comprehensive and collaborative program of research, education, information dissemination and technology transfer organized around three topical focus areas:

·Integrated management of freight and passenger systems

·Sustainable and efficient urban freight transportation

·Mobility of urban populations

About the Sol Price School of Public Policy:

The mission of the Price School is to improve the quality of life for people and their communities, here and abroad. We achieve this mission through education and research that promote innovative solutions to the most critical issues facing society. Over the past 85 years, the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy has earned the public trust by creating path-breaking research and scholarship. We believe it is our ethical responsibility to continue serving our global community at the highest level of excellence.  Sustainability, healthcare, immigration, infrastructure, urban development, social policy, affordable housing, and governance – these are just a few of the modern challenges that require leaders who look beyond their area of expertise to find the most effective solutions. Solving societal issues of such complexity requires not only great minds but also great action. USC Price fosters collaboration and partnerships to better understand problems through varied perspectives. We use the vast influence of California and greater Los Angeles as a resource for setting new paradigms. And we translate research into communities by working directly with the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

Benefits:

The University of Southern California’s postdoctoral scholar benefits package is designed to closely match the benefits offered to faculty and staff and includes health, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, short-term and long-term disability insurance plans, credit union membership; and participation in cultural and social events, as well as access to athletic and recreational facilities.

The annual base salary range for this position is $64,480 - $68,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, students and staff that make the university what it is.

USC is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer that actively seeks diversity in its workplace.

Serves as a research trainee for the purpose of enhancing and developing research competencies.