Job Title TTI Assistant Research Scientist Agency Texas A&M Transportation Institute Department Research & Implementation Division Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location Waco, Texas Job Type Faculty Job Description Who are we? The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) is an agency of the State of Texas and member of The Texas A&M University System. For 70 years, TTI has addressed complex transportation challenges and opportunities with innovation, objectivity, and unmatched technical expertise. Our staff delivers excellence, value and thought leadership to ensure our research sponsors achieve their goals. Our Mission and Vision Our Vision - TTI leads in the creation of knowledge that transforms transportation for the benefit of society. Our Mission - TTI delivers practical, innovative and sustainable solutions to improve the movement of people, data and goods through research, education and technology transfer. Our Work Environment Entrepreneurial culture Affiliation with Texas A&M University students and faculty Ability to work with nationally recognized experts Ability to help train the next generation of transportation professionals Premier office and research facilities and equipment Accredited laboratories and safety proving ground Outstanding research support services Hybrid work environment/telecommuting Flexible work hours Family friendly High staff retention rates Leadership development and wellness programs Data allowance and home office equipment reimbursements Relocation assistance (if eligible) Tuition reimbursement program (if eligible) Our Employee Benefits TTI employees can choose from several health coverage options offered by The Texas A&M University System for themselves and their families, as well as numerous other benefit programs. https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/ What you need to know + The primary duty station for this position is the Waco TTI office. This position has the flexibility of a hybrid remote option which can be discussed further during the interview process. + The salary range for position is commensurate. Final salary will be determined based on the applicant's qualifications and experience. Job Summary Primarily serve as a researcher and mobility coordinator. Apply traffic engineering and traffic operations principles to improve mobility during construction in urban and rural areas of the Waco District and potentially other TxDOT districts. Develop and research effective and innovative solutions to traditional and emerging transportation issues. Collaborate with TxDOT, counties, MPOs, local city traffic and enforcement departments, local contractors, local transit agencies, and consultants to resolve mobility issues during construction and convene meetings with appropriate agencies, as necessary. Seek solutions and work cooperatively with relevant agencies to enhance mobility during construction TxDOT facilities. Significantly contribute to proposal writing, research projects, and/or research report writing. Continued employment in this position is contingent upon the availability of funding and satisfactory performance. Additional Responsibilities + Enhance and support transportation construction plan review, construction activities, and workforce development. + Support projects as a member of multi-disciplinary project teams, develop new research opportunities, and expand professional interest research portfolio. Specific Duties Project Support + Perform various duties in support of construction-related projects including mobility coordination. + Lead and support research, technical assistance, and training projects for local, state, and national sponsors. + Coordinate and collect data from diverse quantitative and qualitative sources. + Conduct literature and regulatory reviews. + Speak at and participate in conferences. + Support public and stakeholder engagement activities. + Author and co-author reports and technical journal papers. + Prepare and deliver presentations for various audiences. + Co-teach TxDOT construction project management classes. + Provide ideas for the development of new software to minimize change orders during construction. + Participate in research of other TTI programs to contribute expertise and/or develop areas of professional interest. Cooperation and Communication + Promote cooperative efforts between TxDOT, impacted properties, and cities in resolving issues associated with construction and maintenance projects. + Work with private property owners on access and traffic issues to improve mobility during construction and facilitate the project schedule. + Attend construction and other related meetings. + Work with the area office staff, project staff, and the CE&I to develop and execute a public communications program and evaluate mobility concerns for all road users. Essential Duties and Responsibilities 35% - Assists with coordinating the Research and Implementation Division’s research projects. + Serve as mobility coordinator. + Actively engage with stakeholders during highway and bridge construction projects. + Prepares technical documentation, including data collection, analysis, and summaries. + Prepares task and project reports and other deliverables as required. + Works independently or with project teams to accomplish assigned tasks. + Follows guidance from PIs while also suggesting new or alternative approaches to assigned tasks to improve research efficiency and quality. + Prepare materials to for training and workforce development activities. 30% - Lead Applied Research Projects + Leads applied research projects as Principal Investigator (PI) or as task leader. + Develops and leads multi-disciplinary teams of researchers to complete project tasks and deliverables on time and within budget. + Executes oversight and leadership of self-initiated research projects. + Plans, schedules, coordinates, and reports detailed phases of research and development projects. + Manages, communicates, and coordinates with multi-disciplinary teams comprising of research staff, graduate and undergraduate students, and support staff to ensure the completion of research objectives and timely delivery of high-quality project deliverables. + Evaluates and documents data collection requirements and activities. + Coordinates data gathering activities and gather data needed for research tasks. + Assembles, organizes, documents, and archives datasets. + Synthesizes data and extracts meaningful statistics and trends. + Evaluates and document review of laws, regulations, policies, and other documents and information. + Synthesizes information from several sources for a wide variety of audiences. + Compiles, documents, and presents results in formats required for inclusion in reports, technical memoranda, journal articles, presentations, and training material s. + Ensures for on-time submittal of deliverables. 25% - Co-teach and Revise Professional Course Material + Learns the course content of TxDOT’s scheduling and project management classes. + Provides recommendations for additional technical content or revisions to current curriculum. + Teaches the TxDOT scheduling and project management classes. 5% - Lead and Support Program’s Strategic Efforts and Research Development : + Assists with overall goals and mission of the Research and Implementation Division, including day-to-day efforts on current contracts, participating in planning, administration, evaluation, and implementation of strategic initiatives, and contributing ideas for future work. + Leads and contribute to research proposal development as a PI, co-PI, or task leader. + Prepares and give presentations to e xisting and potential sponsors, in academic settings, or in conference settings. 5% - Perform other related duties as assigned. Required Education and Experience + Master’s degree in engineering, urban and regional planning, public administration, or another transportation-related field. + Three (3) years of relevant work experience in roadway construction, plan review, utilities, safety, and/or transportation research. Preferred Education and Experience + Experience in analysis and various analytical methods, including both quantitative and qualitative methods. + Experience leading project teams and having a track record of meeting project deliverable requirements and deadlines. + Experience in authoring technical reports, memos, articles, or formal documents. + Experience coordinating and facilitating groups. + (e.g., community organizing, workshops, trainings). + Experience performing or supporting research or technical projects with regional, statewide, or national significance. + Experience writing proposals or grants. + Previous experience (professional, academic, or volunteer) working with transportation agencies, research organizations, or private companies. + Ph.D. in engineering, urban and regional planning, public administration, or another transportation-related field. High interest in any of the following topics: + Applying artificial intelligence to improve construction processes. + Policies and laws as they apply to highway right-of-way use and utilities. + Retaining wall and sound wall policies and construction. + Counter human trafficking through training and data analysis. + Policies and laws as they apply to human trafficking. + Highway Work Zone Safety. + Bicycle and pedestrian safety. + Pavement maintenance and pavement management. + Asset management. + Landscape and environmental design. + Winter maintenance research and workforce development. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities + Knowledge of the fundamentals of the scientific method and basic research design. + Excellent written communication skills. + Excellent verbal communication skills. + Proficient at word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation applications (particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). + Ability to work productively with others. + Ability to work cooperatively with others. + Ability to present information clearly and concisely. + Ability to perform literature searches and industry scans and synthesize collected information. + Ability to use computers for email, attending web conferences and meetings, and to facilitate day-to-day activities. + Ability to work independently and on a team with minimal supervision. + Ability to manage multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously and prioritize work to meet deadlines. + Excellent time management skills. + Excellent analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills. + Excellent data analysis and critical thinking skills. + Knowledge of construction, alternative transportation, and utility policies, programs, and requirements at the federal, state, and local levels. + Knowledge of current research, issues, and innovations in highway construction. + Ability to synthesize complex information and literature. + Ability to assign and supervise project work tasks to meet deadlines. + Ability to plan and manage complex multidisciplinary projects. + Ability to track and manage project budgets and expenditures. + Ability to interact effectively with senior management and executives at transportation agencies. Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities + Interest in and a commitment to supporting and transforming state DOT construction, plan reviews, and transportation safety for the benefit of society. + Extensive or strong knowledge or interest in construction, traffic operations, safety, and/or public involvement in transportation projects. + Knowledge of and skills working with geographical information systems (GIS), databases (Access or other), advanced spreadsheet functions/formulas, or other data analysis software. + Graphic design and/or layout skills for producing visually appealing presentations, reports, handouts, etc. Preferred Licenses, Registrations, and Professional Certifications + A Class “C” vehicle operator’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment. + Professional Engineer’s license preferred. Other Requirements or Other Factors: + The position requires occasional travel to attend conferences, conduct site visits, assist in training and public outreach. Preferred Other Factors: + Active in professional or academic organizations. All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.