TTI Associate Research Scientist

Job Title

TTI Associate Research Scientist

Agency

Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Department

Regulatory Analysis & Engagement

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Austin, 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

• TTI is a Texas based agency. This position has the flexibility of a hybrid remote option with two days in a TTI Texas based office. This 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

This position is located in Austin, TX and supports the Regulatory Analysis and Engagement Program. Primary responsibilities for this position include the following:

• Managing interagency contracts and research agreements,

• Working collaboratively with transportation agencies to determine their research and analysis needs and meet them through existing and proposed agreements,

• Executing oversight and leadership of self-initiated research projects, authoring or co-authoring of reports and scholarly publications based on original research. 

• Assisting with overall direction and management, which includes the day-to-day supervision, planning, administration, evaluation, and implementation of the program’s research functions.

• Performing legal, regulatory, and other policy research and analysis,

• Synthesizing technical documents, data, and information into concise memoranda, reports, and other writing,

• Leading research projects and tasks,

• Leading project and task teams,

• Assisting technical research on transit, active transportation, safety, equity, and emerging technologies,

• Assisting public engagement research.

The Associate Research Scientist is expected to serve as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PI and lead research and proposal development. The position will be responsible for managing no less than one (1) interagency contract and co-managing another.

This position requires the development of research proposals to remain extramurally funded.  While this position is primarily responsible for supporting the Regulatory Analysis and Engagement Program, work outside of the program and Policy Analysis Division is often required for the position to be fully funded.  As such, the person in this position must be willing to seek additional work.  Likewise, the person must be a team player willing to contribute as needed to accomplish project goals.  The person must be willing to be managed by and responsive to principal investigators outside of the program or division.

This position requires an ability to utilize, adapt, and modify scientific methods, techniques and procedures in the independent conception, design and implementation of research projects within a multi-disciplinary research program. In doing so, the person must have the skills and experience to complete projects on-time and with completed deliverables, addressing challenges through a creative, self-directed approach with minimal supervision. 

Essential Duties and responsibilities

• Research: Perform research activities, including legal, regulatory, and other policy research and analysis; synthesizing technical documents, data, and information into concise memoranda, reports, and other writing; performing public engagement research; performing technical research on transit, active transportation, safety, equity, and emerging technologies; technical writing and preparation of technical documentation, including literature reviews, data collection, analysis, and summaries; presentations of research results. (40%)

• Contract and Project / Task Management:  Act as PI, Co-PI, or Major Task Leader, manage interagency contracts and research agreements; work collaboratively with transportation agencies to determine their research and analysis needs and meet them through existing agreements; execute oversight and leadership of self-initiated research projects; author or co-author reports and scholarly publications based on original research; assist with the overall direction and management, which includes the day-to-day supervision, planning, administration, evaluation, and implementation of the program’s research functions; lead interdisciplinary research projects, tasks, and teams; conduct project and task assignments; build and manage relationships with project sponsors; ensure scope, budget, and deliverable schedules are being met and formulate and implement strategies to mitigate projects that are at risk of exceeding scope, budget, and schedule; monitor and report on project financials; monitor research quality; monitor sub-contractor performance and billing. (40%)

• Business Development: Build and manage relationships with potential project sponsors; work collaboratively with transportation agencies to determine their research and analysis needs and meet them through proposed agreements; identify and contribute to the development of new business opportunities; lead and support proposal development; participate in industry conferences to showcase research; learn new and innovative skills that will facilitate growth and add value to TTI. (15%)

• Leadership and Professional Development: Provide oversight and direction to student employees and junior staff; seek out and participate in activities that help TTI to meet its organizational and strategic goals; attain and maintain professional certifications; join and actively participate in professional organizations specific to core areas of competency refine existing skills and develop new skills through various learning opportunities. (4%)

• Other duties as assigned. (1%)

Required Education and Experience

• Masters Degree

• Five (5) years of related professional experience

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies

Quality Research/Technical Work

Independent, fully functional researcher. Direct research as PI or contribute significant technical expertise/skills to team. Plan projects of significant scope, manage deliverable schedules, conceptualize deliverables, takes responsibility for project. Manage project budgets to ensure projects is completed on time and within budget. Possess strong organizational, analytical, and technical writing skills. Ability to handle multiple projects and general understanding of public policy concepts.

Salary Coverage

Cover salary plus that of more junior staff and staff development to achieve project objectives. Expected to contribute to Program and Division Management expenses. Write proposals and win work of moderate size projects.

Technical Skills

Keep technical skills relevant/updated and learn new skills. Proficiency in MS Teams, Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint. Adapt to changing technology needs/working environment.

Marketing and Promoting Research/Technical Work

Identify sponsor opportunities, liaise with sponsors, write/lead proposals. Author, co-author papers. Present work/projects in technical and professional settings.

Business Development

Forward thinking and taking initiatives to find opportunities that are coming down the pipeline. Able to see those opportunities and be proactive and leverage those opportunities.  Expands sphere of  influence. Project results impact research mission; results are visible/impactful in peer community.

Teamwork

Lead and motivate teams/set standards for effective collaboration. Resolves disputes/conflicts in research approaches. Maintains professional collaborative relationships with peers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters with emphasis in public policy or law.

• 10 years related work experience in transportation research and analysis in the Austin region.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel frequently and regularly to sponsor and TTI offices in Austin.

• Ability to perform common office functions.

• Ability to frequently communicate with other individuals within the workplace.

• Ability to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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.