TTI Research Scientist

Job Title

TTI Research Scientist

Agency

Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Department

Infrastructure Group

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

El Paso, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

Job Description

Job Summary:

This position is reserved for an individual whose accomplishments reflect scientific and professional achievement recognized beyond immediate peers/colleagues. Incumbent is widely recognized by key customers/grantors/investigators as being central to their mission and plays a key role in the acquisition of research funding and identifying sources of new contract funding. Incumbent in this position will perform design, coordination, supervision, evaluation, and quality-control of research projects of significant scope and importance. The incumbent is expected to PI on self-initiated research projects, develop new research initiatives, contribute to strategic research goals, provide coordination and leadership of more junior research staff on specific projects, and obtain and maintain extramurallyfunded research projects. Continuation in this position is contingent upon availability of funding derived from research program or specific projects.

Essential Duties:

• Applied research and management (70%)

  • Responsible for the overall direction and management of projects, which includes the day-today supervision, planning, administration, evaluation, and implementation of the program’s research functions. These duties include project management, supervision, data collection, data analysis, and work coordination. Must demonstrate ability to manage multiple projects as principal investigator through managing time, budgets, and progress of work to meet sponsor expectations. Serve as the primary contact with sponsors for complex projects that involve multi-disciplinary teams representing different divisions and programs. Plan, schedule, coordinate, and report detailed phases of research and development projects. Evaluate and document data collection requirements and activities. Coordinate data gathering activities and gather data needed for project tasks. Assemble, organize, document, and archive datasets.

  • Develop data models and metadata. Synthesize data and extract meaningful statistics and trends. Develop and/or run applications to conduct the research. Analyze and document business processes. Analyze and develop potential new techniques, policies, procedures, and recommendations. Manage, communicate, and coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams comprising research staff, graduate and undergraduate students, and support staff. Ensure the completion of research objectives and timely delivery of high-quality project deliverables.

• Business development (5%)

  • Develop and maintain relationships with sponsors, including non-traditional ones. Proactively brainstorm, develop and present innovative project ideas and concepts and research needs statements to potential sponsors. Identify opportunities to take the program’s skillset to ventures outside the realm of transportation where new business opportunities may exist for TTI. Build potential teaming relationships with other partners. Lead and assist in effective proposal preparation to potential sponsors. Identify and pursue independent research funding opportunities. Independently maintain or contribute to extramurally funded research

• Staff management and supervision (5%)

  • Manage, develop, and mentor staff, including professional and career development needs, provide continual and annual performance evaluation feedback, approve time and effort, and approve leave requests. Supervise senior and junior staff general work performance including day-to-day direct assignments for junior staff.

• Report preparation and presentations (10%)

  • Compile, document, and present results in formats required for inclusion in reports, technical memoranda, and presentations. Prepare technical documentation, including data collection, analysis, and summaries. Prepare project reports and other deliverables as required. Prepare materials for presentation of research results and other deliverables at technical meetings or other venues and to sponsors. Prepare and give presentations to existing and potential sponsors, academic settings, or conference setting. Schedule, prepare, conduct, and document project meetings with sponsors.

• Program asset management (5%)

  • Ensure that the program’s vehicle, tools, and other data collection assets are organized and maintained. Maintain records of the availability and condition of program assets.

• Other non-essential duties as deemed necessary (5%)

Required Education and Experience:

• Masters degree in related field

• 8 years related work experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctor of Philosophy, Civil Engineering

• 5 years related work experience with concrete industry

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies as a Researcher:

• Required: Special expertise in one or more areas of cement and concrete materials, concrete pavement or full depth reclamation/treatment with cement - construction and maintenance.

• Quality Research/Technical Work: Must be a recognized expert in area. Must be able to direct research of significant scope. Responsible for selecting team, liaising with sponsor, manage project deliverable schedules, conceptualize deliverables, and ultimately responsible for

• successful completion of projects.

• Salary Coverage: Must be able to cover own salary plus supervise team members in area of expertise/develop research opportunities for junior team members. Expected to contribute to Program and Division Management expenses. Must be able to maintain a sustainable, focused research program.

Technical Skills:

• Keep technical skills relevant/updated and learn new skills. Must be able to adapt to changing technology needs/working environment.

• Marketing and Promoting Research/Technical Work: Must be able to identify sponsor opportunities, liaise with sponsors, write proposals. Must have recognition and ability to network to develop multi agency proposals. Author, co-author papers. Able to present work/projects in technical and professional settings. Participate in professional societies -member of TRB committee etc.

• Teamwork: Able to organize and maintain multi agency/external teams. Mentor team members. Successfully lead teams to ensure projects are completed on time and on budget.

Physical Requirements:

• 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.

• Ability to operate laboratory equipment.

• Ability to move heavy objects (e.g. 50 lbs. of material to be tested)

• Ability to drive.

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.

Other Requirements:

• Work beyond normal business hours and/or work on weekends.

• May be required to work in hot, cold, and extreme weather conditions.

• Travel may be required.

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/Veterans/Disability Employer.