Research Assistant Position

Overview

The Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center (VTC) at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy is currently looking for a graduate student to work as a Student Research Assistant. The student research assistant will assist with aspects of the NJDOT Technology Transfer project, with a particular focus on content development, website maintenance, and communications tools. The position is part-time (up to 20 hours per week). The project runs through March 2023 and anticipates continued funding.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Work with the VTC project teams in the development and distribution of online materials for the NJDOT Technology Transfer website.
• Contribute to the maintenance of the Technology Transfer website using WordPress and other online tools such as online calendars.
• Assist with the distribution of emails using MailChimp and posts to social media outlets.
• Support planning for online and/or in-person events, when applicable.

Required skills:

• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Experience with web-based WordPress, Adobe InDesign, Canva, and other visual communications tools is highly desired.

Preferred skills:

• Interest and/or knowledge of transportation-related issues and practices, and a willingness to research state-of-the-art trends, emerging technologies, innovative practices and recently completed research focused on addressing current transportation problems and needs.

This work will involve the drafting of articles about recently completed funded research and/or innovative practices fostered and implemented by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), and other regional and local public agencies to improve safety, mobility and accessibility. In the past, student research assistants have examined the purpose and benefits of innovations and barriers to their adoption on such varied topics as pedestrian safety countermeasures, climate resiliency at state DOTs, electrification of vehicle fleets, workforce development initiatives to increase diversity in construction, green infrastructure strategies, and the use of porous concrete for sidewalks and parking, among other topics.

About NJDOT Technology Transfer (T2)

NJDOT’s T2 program seeks to increase awareness of transportation-related issues within New Jersey, promote an ongoing exchange of ideas, translate the latest state-of-the-art trends and technology practices, showcase innovation, and disseminate research results in a form that can be readily applied to current transportation problems.