TTI Assistant Research Scientist

Texas A&M Transportation Institute • San Antonio, TX

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s Energy and Right of Way Program seeks an interdisciplinary transportation researcher to apply expertise to energy, right-of-way, and utility engineering research. The role conducts applied research on the intersection of energy, right-of-way, and utilities with transportation infrastructure across areas such as on-road and non-road transportation, construction, airports, and rail. The researcher may also support health and transportation research through the TTI Center for Efficient Mobility.

The successful candidate works on externally funded projects and actively pursues additional research funding through proposal development and sponsor outreach. The position is expected to independently lead projects and collaborate on projects led by other Principal Investigators. Continued employment is contingent on available funding and satisfactory performance.

The preferred duty station is TTI San Antonio - Castle Hills. Employees must report in person to their assigned duty station during their first 30 days. After onboarding, a hybrid arrangement may be approved at the agency’s discretion, subject to policy, operational needs, and supervisory approval. Candidates may be considered for another TTI urban office based on business needs and organizational fit. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in engineering.
• At least 3 years of related work experience in infrastructure project delivery or research.
• Ability to independently manage research projects from inception to completion, including sponsor coordination, budget tracking, and task-progress tracking.
• Knowledge of quality and unbiased research principles.
• Two to five publications, published or accepted for publication, in major peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated experience developing research proposals and securing contracts and grants.
• Excellent verbal, technical writing, and interpersonal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Engineer in Training (EIT) certification.
• Doctorate in Civil Engineering or a related field.
• Two years of related experience in right-of-way or utility engineering, such as utility investigations, conflict management, coordination, design, construction, or asset management.
• Experience in transportation project development and delivery, relocation and right-of-way acquisition, data modeling, database design, SQL, CAD, or GIS.
• Understanding of software tools such as VB, VB.NET, C#, ASP, or ASP.NET.
• Understanding of the United States transportation legislative framework.

Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, coordinate, and report phases of research and development projects.
• Evaluate and document data-collection requirements and activities; coordinate and conduct data gathering; and assemble, organize, document, and archive datasets.
• Synthesize data and extract statistics and trends; develop or run research applications; and analyze potential techniques, policies, procedures, and recommendations.
• Conduct literature reviews and background research to support methods and document prior research for reporting.
• Assist with the direction and management of program research functions, including day-to-day supervision, planning, administration, evaluation, and implementation.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams of research staff, graduate and undergraduate students, and support staff to meet research objectives and deliver high-quality work on time.
• Compile, document, and present results for reports, technical memoranda, and presentations; prepare technical documentation and project deliverables.
• Plan, coordinate, document, and report experimental-design phases; evaluate the process and its effectiveness; and prepare materials explaining design structure, process, and anticipated results.
• Prepare and give presentations to current and prospective sponsors, academic audiences, and conference audiences.
• Prepare, schedule, conduct, and document research meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health coverage options for employees and their families through The Texas A&M University System.
• Hybrid work environment and telecommuting.
• Flexible work hours.
• Family-friendly workplace.
• Leadership development and wellness programs.
• Data allowance and home-office equipment reimbursements.
• Relocation assistance, if eligible.
• Tuition reimbursement, if eligible.
• Other benefit programs offered by The Texas A&M University System.

What This Job Offers

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