State of Virginia-posted 2 months ago
Full-time • Senior
Blacksburg, VA
5,001-10,000 employees
Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

Make a difference while working with the latest technologies in a field that affects the safety and quality of lives of almost everyone. Transportation is undergoing an incredible transformation as automated and safety-related technologies are introduced across one of the largest industry sectors in the U.S. You can play a part in saving lives by preventing heavy vehicle crashes and improving livelihoods by evaluating the implementation of automated technologies in heavy trucks. At the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), a world-leading research enterprise, we are working with government agencies, transportation and safety organizations, vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers, and others to overcome these challenges and improve transportation safety and performance on the world's roads. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj4VWviw5JA). The Division of Freight, Transit, and Heavy Vehicle Safety (DHVY), a research-focused group within VTTI, seeks qualified, experienced and ambitious engineering (industrial), human factors or traffic safety professionals with a strong background in psychology, safety, and/or vehicle technology. This position seeks candidates that demonstrate significant project leadership and management experience in transportation research or related fields. They have an aptitude for solving complex problems through application of advanced research and development techniques and conducting research and publishing results in an ethical manner. Research projects range from driving simulator and test track experiments using a single vehicle to large-scale naturalistic driving studies that involve collecting data from hundreds of vehicles on public roadways. Research topics include, but are not limited to, driver behavior (distraction and fatigue), automated vehicle systems, collision warning/avoidance systems, and cybersecurity. The candidate must be interested in working with heavy vehicles, including commercial trucks, transit buses, and motorcoaches. VTTI provides opportunities for professional advancement and a pay for performance structure.

  • 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, interfacing directly with sponsors to understand requirements and deliver technical presentations
  • Interface with engineers, designers, and testing lab personnel to process data from vehicle sensors
  • Must be able to work effectively independently as well as within multidisciplinary project teams as appropriate
  • Travel to research sites to collect data and/or conferences for presentations and networking (requirement fluctuates but will generally be <15%)
  • Supervise the work of researchers, graduate research assistants, technicians, and others who assist in specific assignments
  • Act as a mentor for junior researchers through provision of knowledge transfer
  • Provide direction on project objectives, feedback on proposed research plans, and project logistics for multiple projects including scheduling and budget maintenance
  • PhD in Industrial Engineering, Human Factors Engineering, or related Psychology field. A Master's degree in Industrial Engineering or Human Factors Engineering or Human factors related field(s) may be considered in lieu of PHD degree with significant level of training and experience
  • Proven understanding of human factors principles needed to analyze, verify, and interpret work
  • Demonstrated experience in transportation or related field
  • Ability to lead project teams and oversee project schedule, budgets, and deliverables
  • Demonstrated strong writing and organizational skills
  • Publications in related field of human factors, intelligent transportations systems, and safety analysis
  • Demonstrated Programming experience, Matlab programming experience is preferred
  • Prior background in data processing and analysis
  • Proposal writing experience
  • Starting rate of $100,000; commensurate with experience
  • 40 hours per week
  • Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
  • Criminal conviction check required
  • Driver's license check required
  • Potential aspects of this position may be physically demanding (e.g., considerable walking, standing, bending stooping, moderate lifting, hand/finger dexterity needed, good vision & hearing)
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