Director, Research Operations

The University of Arizona • Tucson, AZ

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Center for Applied Transportation Sciences (CATS) in the University of Arizona College of Engineering seeks an accomplished transportation professional to provide senior-level scientific, operational, and strategic leadership across complex, multidisciplinary, and multi-institutional transportation research programs and initiatives. The role translates Center priorities into coordinated research and operational plans; directs personnel, resources, and project activities; develops and secures externally sponsored research; and cultivates partnerships with government agencies, universities, and private-sector organizations. The position exercises substantial independent judgment in Center-wide operations, research program development, personnel coordination, quality assurance, and long-range planning, and partially supports the Arizona Transportation Institute (AZTI) in data sharing and project management.

CATS is a college-level research center established at the University of Arizona in 2021. It supports regional governments, educational institutions, and private-sector organizations in developing Smart Communities. Its research includes Transportation Systems Management and Operations, transportation system performance management, intelligent transportation systems, transportation planning, smart mobility and Mobility on Demand, transportation safety, big data analytics, transportation system simulation and analysis, traffic operations, and emerging transportation technologies. The role reports directly to the CATS Director and requires frequent in-state and out-of-state travel to meetings and conferences. Occasional coordination with the Director after hours may be needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional-level experience.
• At least 7 years of related work experience, including 3 years of managerial experience, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Thorough knowledge of job functions and broad industry best practices, techniques, and standards.
• Ability to transfer knowledge and explain complex principles, theories, and concepts to peers.
• Strong interpersonal skills working with technical and non-technical personnel at different organizational levels.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of grant writing and manuscript preparation.
• Project management and exceptional coordination skills.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s or Ph.D. in Transportation, Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with transportation data collection methods and technologies.
• Established record of developing strong proposals and securing funding.
• Established experience leading and managing sponsored research projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level scientific and programmatic leadership for CATS transportation research programs.
• Lead the conceptualization, development, planning, and execution of research initiatives across transportation operations, intelligent transportation systems, planning, mobility, safety, analytics, simulation, traffic operations, and emerging technologies.
• Serve as Principal Investigator, Co-Principal Investigator, or senior research leader on sponsored projects, exercising independent judgment over research priorities, methodologies, technical approaches, and objectives.
• Identify research and funding opportunities; lead or substantially contribute to proposal development, grant writing, and sponsor presentations.
• Develop research techniques, analytical frameworks, modeling methodologies, and technical approaches.
• Lead or co-author peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and professional presentations, and disseminate research findings through professional forums.
• Work with the Center Director to develop, implement, and improve Center-wide strategic and operational plans.
• Align personnel, financial, technical, and administrative resources with Center priorities and long-range objectives.
• Coordinate with investigators, project managers, the Center Manager, research staff, and University administrative units to monitor program performance, budgets, timelines, scopes, deliverables, and compliance.
• Exercise delegated operational decision-making authority and serve as a senior designee or representative of the Center Director when appropriate.
• Develop operational processes, policies, and procedures to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, accountability, and scalability of CATS operations.
• Lead, supervise, mentor, and support professional development for multidisciplinary research personnel, technical staff, project managers, and graduate students.
• Direct and coordinate staff work, establish priorities, assign responsibilities, monitor performance, and provide technical and professional guidance.
• Coordinate staffing and expertise across projects to use Center resources effectively and support timely, high-quality delivery.
• Foster a collaborative research environment that promotes professional growth, research excellence, accountability, and teamwork.
• Participate in recruitment, onboarding, performance management, succession planning, and personnel development as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with government agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, universities, research institutions, transportation organizations, and private-sector partners.
• Represent CATS in meetings with sponsors, collaborators, stakeholders, professional organizations, and external partners; represent the Center Director when delegated.
• Lead or participate in research committees, advisory groups, technical working groups, workshops, retreats, conferences, and other professional activities.
• Identify collaborative research, technical assistance, workforce development, and technology-transfer opportunities that advance the Center’s mission.
• Provide advanced technical guidance as a subject-matter expert in one or more specialized areas of transportation science and engineering.
• Oversee appropriate use of transportation data collection technologies, computer systems, simulation platforms, data analytics tools, transportation modeling software, and related research technologies.
• Promote research quality, data integrity, reproducibility, regulatory compliance, and sound scientific practices across CATS programs.
• Lead technical training, workshops, and knowledge-transfer activities for research personnel, graduate students, government agencies, and external stakeholders.
• Support classroom, professional, and continuing-education activities as appropriate and perform other duties consistent with the position’s scope and level.
• Travel frequently to in-state and out-of-state meetings and conferences; occasionally coordinate with the Director after hours.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Life insurance and disability programs
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members
• Retirement plans
• Access to University of Arizona recreation and cultural activities
• Innovative work-life programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior