Transportation Innovations and Research Fellow

Organization
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
Reference Code
USDOT-BTS-2026-0003
How to Apply

Click the Apply button below

Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond! The app is for both applicants and for use after one is appointed.

Application Deadline
9/3/2026 9:00:00 AM Eastern Time Zone
Description
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R), works at the dynamic intersection of new and emerging technologies, transportation data, policy, research and all modes of transportation across the Department.  As a Fellow, you will learn to facilitate the transformation of our transportation system–making it safer, more efficient, competitive, accessible and sustainable. 
 
The Fellow will be placed within one of the following OST-R offices:
 
• Bureau of Transportation Statistics
• Highly Automated Systems Safety Center of Excellence     
• Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office
• Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) & Spectrum Management
• Office of Research, Development & Technology
• Transportation Safety Institute
• Volpe National Transportation Center
 
A significant focus of the OST-R team is to develop and implement strategies to enable transportation technologies, coordinate the Department’s research investment, oversee the development of Annual Modal Research Plans, and provide opportunities for research collaboration with public and private sector partners. The areas of learning, research, and professional development a Fellow may participate in include:

• Learning to advance innovation, technology development, and breakthrough knowledge
• Learning to facilitate research and multimodal research collaboration
• Learning to foster technology transfer through partnerships both within the Department and with other Federal agencies, academia and private entities
• Participating in research and development activities that provide decision makers with useful statistics and information of the highest quality and integrity 
• Collaborating with a team to develop a skilled interdisciplinary transportation workforce for the nation
• Learning from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) to modernize artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives into the BTS information technology (IT) systems. Within BTS, the Fellow will embed as part of the National Transportation Library (NTL) and learn to integrate the existing Ask.DOT.Gov platform into the current and future NTL repository and website. The Fellow will collaborate with the archivist, as well as the data curation, metadata/cataloguing, reference, and systems librarian teams to help transform NTL into a 21st-century digital library.

The selected candidate will receive a stipend as support for living and other expenses during this appointment. Stipend rates are determined by DOT officials and are based on the candidate’s academic and professional background. This opportunity may also offer provisions such as a professional travel allowance and health insurance.

The Fellow will remain fully engaged in the project, defined by DOT as a minimum commitment of 20 hours per week (and up to 40 hours per week as defined by DOT guidelines), and the appointment will be 6-12 months in duration, contingent on project needs and funding availability. Extensions may be possible but are also contingent on project needs and funding availability.
 
This opportunity is located within the OST-R in Washington, DC.
 
The participant will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DOE, DOT, or any other office or agency. Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE letter of appointment and Terms of Appointment.
Qualifications

Applicants must be currently pursuing a master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field (please see Disciplines below for a list of relevant fields). 

An ideal candidate will:

• Have coursework and/or a background in transportation, collection analysis, data analysis, computer programming, technology, outreach, and/or communications.
• Have a demonstrated ability to meet established deadlines with products that reflect professionalism.
• Have familiarity with program evaluation, project management, and/or needs assessments.
• Have familiarity analyzing data to identify patterns and trends.
• Have a background presenting results in a clear, effective, and attractive manner to inform next steps.
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Demonstrate excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Have the ability to network across various offices, work units, and organizations to obtain information, collaborate on data-related projects, and validate findings and conclusions.
• Be a self-starter who can participate effectively with changing outcome goals.

A complete application consists of:

• Profile Information
• Application Questions (goals, experiences, and skills relevant to the opportunity)
• Transcript(s) - An unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. The selected candidate may be required to provide proof of completion of the degree before the appointment can start.
• A current resume/CV
• One recommender - Applicants are required to provide contact information (e.g., name, title/position, email address, telephone number) for one recommender.

Point of Contact
Kristen
Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Currently pursuing a Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree.
• Discipline(s):
  • Business (11 )
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (29 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (51 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (1 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (1 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (30 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age

ORISE GO

The ORISE GO mobile app helps you stay engaged, connected and informed during your ORISE experience – from application, to offer, through your appointment and even as an ORISE alum!

Visit ORISE GO