Hourly Research Analyst

University of New Hampshire

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is an hourly, part-time position (approximately 10-15 hours/week) that will undertake research activities to conduct advanced pavement performance analysis, statistical correlations between asphalt mixture properties and field performance, support development of material property databases, and development of research reports and other dissemination products (papers, presentations). This role is supported by external sponsor funding, and continued employment is contingent upon the availability of those funds.

Requirements

Doctorate in Civil and Environmental Engineering or equivalent.
Demonstrated experience in conducting advanced pavement performance modelling.
Demonstrated experience in conducting advanced statistical analysis and modelling of pavement material properties and pavement field performance data.
A record first author publication in high impact civil engineering journals.
Proficiency in Python programming
Database management skills
Ability to extract and process pavement field performance data from state transportation agency highway pavement management and condition assessment systems (such as, Pathways and Pathweb).
Strong oral and written communication skills, specifically for technical writing.
Ability to work with current graduate students on tasks associated with laboratory testing and statistical analyses
Ability to participate in once a week in-person meetings in Durham at UNH

Nice To Haves

Laboratory experience in asphalt mixture design and performance testing
Experience with fracture mechanics-based materials testing
Experience of working with public transportation agency staff

Responsibilities

Process field collected cracking and ride quality measurements into performance indices
Conduct mechanistic-empirical pavement analysis of study pavements
Evaluate combined effects of traffic and environmental stressors on pavement performance through use of mechanistic and data drive models.
Data organization and outlier detection and elimination
Linear and non-linear correlation analyses
Univariate description and bivariate inference analysis
Development of data driven models
Use of statistical analyses to determine reliable predictor variables for pavement performance
Conducting independent validation of the statistical modelling outcomes
Exploring thresholds for material properties that can be used in material specifications to enhance pavement performance reliability
Develop research project deliverables in form of technical reports and memos.
Develop peer-review journal article drafts and technical presentations.
Present research findings to research sponsors and obtain their feedback to revise project deliverables.