Heavy Vehicle Transportation Researcher
Job Description
Make a difference while building your career in a field that affects the safety, health, and quality of lives of almost everyone on a daily basis. Transportation is undergoing an incredible transformation that is inspiring researchers to approach problems using new technologies and non-traditional methods. 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 and ambitious engineering/human factors/traffic safety professionals with a strong background and proven research record in human factors/engineering/psychology/safety/education/public health/vehicle technology. The ideal candidate is an experienced researcher with a desire to eventually take a leadership role in a growing and diverse research division. The candidate must be capable of working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams (as a Research Associate) or leading those teams (as a Senior Research Associate) to complete transportation research projects within constraints of time and budget. DHVY research projects include lab and simulator studies, test track experiments using a single vehicle, largescale naturalistic driving studies that involve collecting data from hundreds of vehicles on public roadways, and large-scale data analysis efforts. DHVY research faculty also engage in outreach activities to support a research-to-practice model. The candidate must be motivated to work with heavy vehicles, including commercial trucks, transit buses, and motorcoaches. The candidate must also be interested in safety technology, including automation. (https://www.vtti.vt.edu/research/ctbs/index.php)
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE RANK - Research Associates will be expected to provide input into the design and initiation of research. They are expected to make contributions toward the preparation of budgets but will have limited responsibility and/or authority in the project management process. Work will be supportive in nature and contribute to the overall program/project success. They may supervise junior level team members and student employees as assigned.
Duties and responsibilities will include:
• Assist in the development of proposals
• Research and assist in the composition of literature reviews
• Assist with the conceptualization and creation of work plans, protocols, and procedures
• Coordinate and collaborate with subcontractors and interface with stakeholders and sponsors as required
• Prepare and analyze data
• Interpret results and develop robust conclusions
• Write research reports
• Present research findings
• Travel to research sites (requirement fluctuates but will generally be <20%)
Directions given and received:
• Work with peers, research assistants, undergrad students, technicians and support staff to coordinate project tasks to ensure timely completion.
• Must be able to work effectively independently with oversight as well as within multidisciplinary project teams as appropriate.
SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE RANK: As a senior team member, the successful candidate will contribute to the conceptualization of research and proposal development and serve in both principal investigator and co-principal investigator capacities. The successful applicant will manage the day-to-day operations of research projects and conduct various project research tasks, including literature reviews, research design, research execution, data analysis, report writing, presentations, and publications. Experience with human factors research in transportation or related fields and expertise in statistical analyses is preferred. Proficiency with data collection and working knowledge of analytical/statistical software is desired. The applicant should have an interest in improving transportation safety and be willing to work on multiple projects in a fast paced, demanding, and yet highly rewarding research environment.
Duties and responsibilities will include:
• 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
• Travel to research sites (requirement fluctuates but will generally be <20%)
Directions given and received:
• Communicate project objectives, provide feedback on proposed research plans, and manage project logistics as a principal investigator and project managers.
• Supervise or coordinate the work of other researchers, graduate research assistants, students, technicians, and research staff who assist in specific assignments.
• Must be able to work effectively independently as well as within multidisciplinary project teams as appropriate.
VTTI provides opportunities for professional advancement and a pay for performance compensation structure. The salary range for Research Associates begins at $53,500; however, offers will be commensurate with experience. The salary range for Senior Research Associates begins at $79,570; however, offers will be commensurate with experience.
Required Qualifications
Previous experience working with human subjects research is required. Must have strong communication skills and organizational skills. Willingness to work in a fast paced, flexible research environment to solve complex problems and develop solutions that will improve safety on our nation’s roadways.
Research Associate rank will require a master’s degree in engineering, psychology, science, public health, or related field. Candidates with a lesser degree and significant experience in transportation safety in lieu of master’s degree will also be considered.
Senior Research Associate rank will require a PhD in engineering, psychology, science, public health, or related field with research experience in transportation safety. Candidates with a lesser degree and significant experience in lieu of PhD will also be considered.
Preferred Qualifications
Previous experience with automation and safety technology. Previous experience in transportation research. Previous experience working with operators of commercial trucks or buses.
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
Commensurate with Experience
Review Date
8/2/2021
Additional Information
The successful Candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Lisa Eichelberger at lisae@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.