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.
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The Division of Freight, Transit, and Heavy Vehicle Safety (DHVY), a research-focused group within VTTI, seeks qualified and ambitious engineering (industrial), human factors or traffic safety professionals with a strong background in psychology, safety, and/or vehicle technology. The ideal candidate is an experienced researcher capable supporting (as a research associate) or leading (as a senior research associate) research projects and working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams to improve transportation safety through cutting edge research. Research projects range from driving simulator and test track experiments using a single vehicle to largescale naturalistic driving studies that involve collecting data from hundreds of vehicles on public roadways. The candidate must be interested in working with heavy vehicles, including commercial trucks, transit buses, and motorcoaches. The successful candidate will contribute to the conceptualization of research and proposal development with principal investigators. With guidance, the successful applicant will manage the day-to-day operations of research projects 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. Special attention will be given to applicants with a commercial driver’s license. Proficiency with data collection and working knowledge of analysis software packages is desired. The applicant must be interested in improving transportation safety and be willing to work on multiple projects in a fast paced, demanding, and highly rewarding research environment. VTTI provides opportunities for professional advancement and a pay for performance structure.
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
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. 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
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.
