TTI Research Scientist

Job Title

TTI Research Scientist

Agency

Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Department

Multimodal Freight

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:

This individual’s accomplishments reflect achievement recognized beyond immediate peers/colleagues. The person in this position will perform design, coordination, supervision, evaluation, and quality-control of research projects of significant scope and importance. The individual is expected to serve as PI on self-initiated research projects, develop new research initiatives, contribute to strategic research goals, provide coordination and leadership of more junior research staff on specific projects, and obtain and maintain extramurally funded research projects.  Continued employment in this position is contingent upon availability of funding and satisfactory performance.

Essential Duties:

Applied research and management duties 50%                                                           

Responsible for the overall direction and management of a work program, which includes the day-to-day supervision, planning, administration, evaluation, and implementation of the program’s research functions. Must:

• Demonstrate ability to manage multiple projects as principal investigator through managing time, budgets, and progress of work to meet sponsor expectations.

• Serve as the primary contact with sponsors for complex projects that involve multi-disciplinary teams representing different divisions and programs.

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

•  Synthesize data and extract meaningful statistics and trends.

• Analyze and document business processes.

• 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.

• Ensure the completion of research objectives and timely delivery of high-quality project deliverables.

Business development 15%           

• Develop and maintain relationships with sponsors, including non-traditional ones.

• Proactively brainstorm, develop and present innovative project ideas and concepts and research needs statements to potential sponsors.

• Identify opportunities to take the program’s skillset to ventures outside the realm of transportation where new business opportunities may exist for TTI.

• Build potential teaming relationships with other partners. Lead and assist in effective proposal preparation to potential sponsors.

• Identify and pursue independent research funding opportunities. Independently maintain or contribute to extramurally funded research

Staff management and supervision 10%

• As work portfolio grows, manage, develop, and mentor staff, including professional and career development needs, provide continual and annual performance evaluation feedback, approve time and effort, and approve leave requests of any direct reports.

• Supervise senior and junior staff general work performance including day-to-day direct assignments for junior staff.

Report preparation and presentations 20%          

• 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 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.

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

• Schedule, prepare, conduct, and document project meetings with sponsors.

Other non-essential duties as deemed necessary 5%

Required Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in related field

• 8 years related work experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Special expertise in multimodal freight.

• Quality Research/Technical Work: Must be a recognized expert in area. Must be able to direct research of significant scope. Responsible for selecting team, liaising with sponsor, manage project deliverable schedules, conceptualize deliverables, and ultimately responsible for successful completion of projects.

• Technical Skills: Keep technical skills relevant/updated and learn new skills. Must be able to adapt to changing technology needs/working environment.

• Marketing and Promoting Research/Technical Work: Must be able to identify sponsor opportunities, liaise with sponsors, and write proposals. Must have recognition and ability to network to develop multi agency proposals. Author and/or co-author papers. Present work/projects in technical and professional settings. Participate in professional societies such as Transportation Research Board (TRB) committees etc.

• Teamwork: Organize and maintain multi-agency/external teams. Mentor team members. Successfully lead teams to ensure projects are completed on time and on budget.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Multimodal freight or logistics background or expertise.

• Knowledge of freight rail, trucking, ocean shipping

• Transportation planning experience.

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.