Research Assistant

Overview

The Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center (RU-VTC) at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy is currently looking for a graduate or upper-level undergraduate student to work as a Research Assistant. The research assistant will assist with aspects the NJTOD | The Transit Friendly Planning Newsletter, (https://www.njtod.org/) with a particular focus on content development, website maintenance, and communications tools. The position is part-time during the academic year (up to 15 hours per week). Additional hours may be worked during the summer and when class is not in session, with potential to be expanded to full-time over the summer.

Activities may include, but are not limited to working with the RU-VTC project team to:

• Develop and distribute online materials, including: (1) Identifying and summarizing current news and research on transit-oriented development (TOD) and transit friendly planning practices and related topics, (2) Drafting reviews of recent studies, reports, etc., and (3) Researching and drafting original content.
• Contribute to the management of websites using WordPress and other online tools such as calendars, Qualtrics, and YouTube.
• Assist with the distribution of emails using MailChimp and posts to social media outlets including Facebook, X (Twitter), Bluesky, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
• Support the planning of in-person and/or online events and meetings.
• Support video content development including script and storyboard review and location filming.

The successful candidate may also be tasked to support other RU-VTC projects, such as ongoing NJDOT technology transfer efforts.

Required skills:

• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• Experience with WordPress, Adobe InDesign, Canva, and other visual communications tools.

Preferred skills:

• Interest and/or knowledge of transit oriented development, transit friendly planning, and land use practices including those related to equity, placemaking, community development, alternative travel modes, financing, parking, and urban design. Knowledge of such subjects as they relate to the state of New Jersey is a plus.
• Professional writing experience, such as a background in journalism or social media content management.

How to Apply

If interested, please send resume/cv and writing sample to Matt Bond at mlb441@ejb.rutgers.edu. In lieu of a formal cover letter, please include any relevant information about your interest/experience in the body of the email.

About NJTOD | The Transit Friendly Planning Newsletter
Published since 2005, NJTOD keeps municipal officials, planners, and advocates up-to-date on the potential for development and redevelopment around transit facilities. This partnership between NJ TRANSIT and the Bloustein School’s Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center (RU-VTC) at Rutgers University aims to enrich the transit oriented development (TOD) conversation in New Jersey’s diverse communities by highlighting what is happening in the state and around the country: best practices, model programs, legislation, and local problem-solving experiences. In addition to the newsletter, NJTOD posts the most up-to-date research from RU-VTC, ranging from the benefits of TOD to its effect on housing values to guidelines on implementation, often with a focus on New Jersey.