Research Scientist at Virginia Department of Transportation

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

What drives you? Whether it's knowing the work you do makes a difference, having a great work/life balance, working on exciting and challenging projects, leading innovation and championing change or simply working with a great group of people who are committed to professionalism. At the Virginia Department of Transportation, we have something for you.

The Virginia Transportation Research Council (VTRC), the research division of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), is seeking to fill a full-time Research Scientist position at its Charlottesville, VA office to support our program in the areas of transportation planning and economics. Using your expertise in demand modeling, network systems analysis, forecasting, and life-cycle analyses you will look for ways to help VDOT improve the movement of people and freight.

Candidates with an interest in turning research into practice and a passion for transportation are encouraged to apply. We are the Virginia Transportation Research Council (VTRC) and this position is in Charlottesville, Virginia on the grounds of the University of Virginia. This position will independently organize, coordinate, conduct, and implement the findings of advanced, extensive, and technical research in specialty areas and provide innovative and improved technology and practices through applied and conceptual research, technology transfer, and technical assistance.

These specialty areas will be multimodal transportation planning methods and economic analyses.

Our most successful candidate communicates effectively, collaborates well, is customer-focused, values differences and is a nimble learner. Are you ready to be VDOT's next Research Scientist?

• Collaborating with support staff and others to design and conduct laboratory experiments and/or field trials, as well as collect, analyze, and interpret existing data to solve problems of interest to VDOT.
• Disseminating research findings through written reports, published papers, and presentations to national, state, and VDOT audiences.
• Willing to provide peer reviews of colleagues’ final research reports and assist VDOT divisions with the implementation of research findings.
• Managing and monitoring contract research being conducted by universities.
• Providing technical assistance, consultative advice, and technology transfer to a broad spectrum of VDOT personnel, FHWA, and other state and local government officials, and external customers.
• Participating in relevant professional organizations and research committees, such as the Transportation Research Board.
• Presenting and leading workshops on specialty areas and current research topics, as needed.

• Comprehensive knowledge of advanced research design, qualitative, quantitative research method, engineering mathematics, and statistical analysis techniques.
• Comprehensive knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices.
• Ability to manage research projects, analyze data, make recommendations and help implement results.
• Skill in the use of computers, computer systems software applications used in transportation planning and transportation engineering.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences at the local, state, and national levels, including preparation of publishable articles for professional journals.
• Advanced knowledge of VDOT management, operations and field structure.
• Ability to conceptualize, develop, manage multiple complex and diverse research projects.
• Advanced ability to independently generate research ideas and assess VDOT's research needs.

• Experience in developing research including the publication and implementation of results.
• A combination of training, experience, or education in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Materials Sciences or related field desired.
• Experience in developing and directing all phases of research including the publication and implementation of results.
• Experience as a principal investigator and member of a research team.