Transportation Technology Researcher

Job Description

Transportation is undergoing an incredible transformation where new technologies and unconventional methods are being used to approach traditional challenges like safety and efficiency while also considering broader issues like environmental sustainability, resilience, and equal access. The Demonstration & Deployment Research group within the Division of Freight, Transit, & Heavy Vehicle Safety at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) is tackling these problems head-on with ongoing applied research in a wide range of areas that include:
• Low-speed automated transit systems
• The use of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS, or drones) to improve the safety and efficiency of ground transportation
• Highway truck automation evaluation and demonstration
• Reducing the impact of winter roadway deicing salts on water supplies and ecosystems`
• Improved and more diversified access to electric vehicles
• Mitigating wildlife-vehicle conflicts and respective safety and ecosystem impacts
• Using computer vision systems with advance warning to mitigate hazardous material transport risks in tunnels and other safety-critical facilities
• Opportunities for technology cross-over between ground and aerial systems respective to advanced air mobility
• Rethinking commercial truck parking
• Assurance of safety and access at curbsides in light of newer personal and freight transportation modes

VTTI is a world-leading research enterprise that is working with government agencies, transportation and safety organizations, vehicle manufacturers, and others to overcome these challenges and others to improve transportation safety, performance, and sustainability of the world’s roads. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj4VWviw5JA).
We are seeking applicants with a diverse technical and analytical skillset, and hands-on experience that can work effectively in a dynamic environmental to support and/or manage multiple projects. The ideal candidate is someone with research experience and a desire to support research and/or develop as a leader in a growing and diverse research division. The candidate must be capable of working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams (as a Research Associate) or leading those teams (as a Senior Research Associate) to complete transportation research projects within constraints of time and budget.

This is an open-rank solicitation for candidates at the Research Associate and Senior Research Associate levels.

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE RANK - Research Associates will be expected to provide input into the design and initiation of research. They are expected to make contributions toward the preparation of budgets but will have limited responsibility and/or authority in the project management process. Work will be supportive in nature and contribute to the overall program/project success. They may supervise junior level team members and student employees as assigned.
Duties and responsibilities will include:
• Research and assist in the composition of literature and technology reviews
• Assist with the conceptualization and creation of work plans, protocols, and procedures
• Coordinate and collaborate with subcontractors and interface with stakeholders and sponsors as required
• Prepare and analyze data
• Interpret results and develop robust conclusions
• Contribute to the development of research reports
• Present research findings
• Assist in the development of proposals
• Travel to research sites (requirement fluctuates but will generally be <10%)
• Work with peers, research assistants, undergrad students, technicians, and support staff to coordinate project tasks to ensure timely completion.
• Must be able to work effectively independently with oversight as well as within multidisciplinary project teams as appropriate.

SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE RANK : As a senior team member, the successful candidate will contribute to the conceptualization of research and proposal development and serve in both principal investigator and co-principal investigator capacities. The successful applicant will manage the day-to-day operations of research projects and conduct various project research tasks, including literature reviews, research design, research execution, data analysis, report writing, presentations, and publications. Experience with human factors research in transportation or related fields and expertise in statistical analyses is preferred. Proficiency with data collection and working knowledge of analytical/statistical software is desired. The applicant should have an interest in improving transportation safety and be willing to work on multiple projects in a fast paced, demanding, and yet highly rewarding research environment.
Duties and responsibilities will include:
• Lead in the development of proposals and assist other senior researchers in the development of proposals
• Perform and/or oversee literature reviews
• Lead and assist conceptualization and creation of work plans, protocols, and procedures
Review, critique, and revise research plans and reports
• Coordinate and collaborate with subcontractors and interface with stakeholders and sponsors
• Maintain existing sponsor relationships, develop new relationships with potential sponsors, and solicit research funding
• Prepare and analyze data
• Interpret results and develop robust conclusions
• Write research reports
• Present and publish research findings
• Communicate project objectives, provide feedback on proposed research plans, and manage project logistics as a principal investigator and project managers.
• Supervise or coordinate the work of other researchers, graduate research assistants, students, technicians, and research staff who assist in specific assignments.
• Must be able to work effectively independently as well as within multidisciplinary project teams as appropriate.
• Travel to research sites (requirement fluctuates but will generally be <20%)
• Position is telework eligible, but on-site work will be necessary more often than not

Required Qualifications

Research Associate rank will require a master’s degree in engineering, computer science, science, or related field. Candidates with a lesser degree and significant experience in lieu of master’s degree will also be considered

Senior Research Associate rank will require a PhD in engineering, computer science, science, or related field with research experience. Candidates with a lesser degree and significant experience in lieu of a PhD will also be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous experience with the following:
• Data acquisition systems
• Electronic hardware and systems integration and troubleshooting
• Programming
• Automation and safety technologies
• Transportation research
• Heavy vehicle experience (commercial trucks, buses, etc.)
• Geographic information systems (GIS)

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with Experience

Review Date

8/25/2021

Additional Information

The successful Candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Lisa Eichelberger at lisae@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: August 12, 2021
Applications close: