TTI Assistant Research Scientist/Engineer

Job Title

TTI Assistant Research Scientist/Engineer

Agency

Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Department

Freight and Investment Analysis

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Bryan, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

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)

Tuition 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/

Job Summary

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) is looking for a passionate researcher to join our team at our headquarters in Bryan Texas or any of TTI’s offices in urban centers across Texas. As a member of the TTI Team, the candidate will conduct research for our clients of federal, state, and local government agencies, transportation industries, and non-governmental organizations. The candidate will be assigned to one of the programs/divisions within the Institute based on their skills and existing/projected research needs.  The focus will be on the solution of innovative engineering challenges.

With guidance from senior researchers the candidate is expected to serve as Principal Investigator (PI), Co-PI, or contribute as a significant leader in research and proposal development.   The successful candidate will have a strong background and proven research record and an understanding of the principles of quality and unbiased research. Specific duties include reviewing literature, planning research activities, coordinating and collecting data, analyzing data, writing reports, preparing and delivering presentations, writing journal articles, and depending on qualification, preparing proposals. Supervision of staff and students is expected along with travel to research locations or conferences, overnight travel, and data collection at night. Must possess valid driver’s license. Continued employment in this position is contingent upon availability of funding and satisfactory performance. Other duties will be performed as required.

TTI is the largest research institute in the country with over 300 professional research staff and an additional 400 support staff and students research assistants. TTI works with federal, state, and local government agencies to improve roadway safety and mobility. TTI offers unparalleled research support services in proposal development, communications, computing support, and facilities. TTI provides opportunities for professional advancement by encouraging and rewarding continuing education and participation in professional societies.

Essential Duties

• 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. Manage project budget and expenditures.

• Conduct research through 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 software and hardware applications. Analyze and develop potential new techniques, policies, procedures, and recommendations. Conduct the necessary literature review and background information search to support techniques and methodologies used, as well as documenting past research for reporting purposes.

• Report preparation: Compile, document, and present results in formats required for inclusion in reports, technical memoranda, and presentations. Prepare technical documentation, including literature reviews, data collection, analysis, and summaries. 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.

• Research presentations: Prepare and give presentations to existing and potential sponsors, academic settings, or conference settings. Prepare, schedule, conduct, and document research meetings

• Actively seek and obtain externally funded research projects, performing work on basic and applied technology problems, and participate in research proposals serving as Principal Investigator (PI), Co-PI, or contribute as a significant lead in the proposal.

• Interact with sponsors and potential clients.

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Engineering/Science

• 3 years related work experience

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Excel, Word. and PowerPoint.

• Ability to multi-task, be flexible, and exhibit a positive attitude in the workplace.

• Good engineering judgement and demonstrates a high degree of technical competence.

• Transportation research experience with the MUTCD, traffic control devices, highway visibility, safety analysis, human factors, and/or geometric design.

• Demonstrated understanding of research methods and data analysis techniques.

• Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Civil Engineering or related field

• Previous experience in data mining with machine learning algorithms.

• Experience with connected and automated vehicles and how they interact with traffic control devices or impact traffic operations.

• Proficient with GIS, Azure cloud computing environment, Tableau, R, Python.

• Publications in related field.

• PE License

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.