Senior Research Specialist

Overview

The Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey seeks qualified candidates for the Senior Research Specialist position. The center’s research portfolio includes projects that address a broad range of planning and policy topics, including: statewide and regional planning, technology transfer and innovation deployment, transit-oriented development, bicycle and pedestrian transportation, transit planning, emerging mobility options, environmental justice and equity, among others. The Senior Research Specialist will potentially lead projects as well as provide project management and research support on assigned projects. Responsibilities include:

• Serves as Principal Investigator (PI), Co-PI, project manager and/or task leader overseeing the execution of work plan tasks on externally-funded projects and programs
• Conducts qualitative and quantitative research, applied planning, training and technical assistance activities
• Writes proposals and contributes to business development activities in order to maintain and grow the level of external funding available to support the center’s research, planning, training and technical assistance activities
• Enhances the visibility of the center and the center’s programs/work products by participating on industry-related external committees, making presentations at conferences, writing and co-authoring reports and articles
• Provides subject matter expertise and technical assistance to outside agencies, professionals, policy makers, and the general public

The candidate(s) filling this position will be initially assigned to support the NJDOT Technology Transfer and Implementation Program, Somerset County Investment Framework Update,  State of New Jersey Infrastructure Needs Assessment Study, and other research, planning, technical assistance, outreach and engagement projects as needed.

The Senior Research Specialist will have an opportunity to demonstrate and expand their knowledge of the nexus between transportation and land use, housing, economic development, climate resilience, placemaking, and environmental justice and equity. They will work for a diverse mix of Federal, State, Regional and Local Public Agencies on a challenging mix of policy, research and applied planning projects.

The ideal candidate should have demonstrated project management experience and the ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously. The position requires critical thinking and robust analytical capabilities as well as excellent communication and writing skills. The ability to collaborate effectively internally and with external partners is essential.

Requirements:

• Applicants should possess a Master’s degree in urban planning, public policy, transportation planning or engineering, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of planning principles and practices and/or public policy development; quantitative and qualitative research methods and analysis; as well as article/report preparation and submission
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and computer literacy

Preferred Knowledge and Expertise:

•  Demonstrated technical and non-technical professional writing
•  Demonstrated interest in spatial and non-spatial data analysis and data management
• Research, evaluation and policy assessment using quantitative and qualitative research methods and tools (e.g., ArcGIS, Excel, MS-Access, Stata, R, SPSS, survey design, focus groups) applied to projects
• In-person and online outreach, engagement, and conference planning

Preferred candidates will be able to demonstrate experience, knowledge and subject matter expertise in the concentrations of statewide and metropolitan planning; public and stakeholder engagement; and/or have demonstrated interest in topics challenging state transportation agencies, such as accelerating innovation, workforce development, knowledge transfer, and fostering implementation-minded research. A Ph.D. in transportation planning or engineering, public policy, sociology, economics or other closely related social science field is desired but not required.

Salary will be competitive, and commensurate with experience within University guidelines for this position. See job posting for salary range. These positions are part of the Alternate Benefit Program (ABP). Information on the benefits associated with the ABP can be found on the Rutgers University website at the following link:  https://uhr.rutgers.edu/alternate-benefit-program-abp.

Interested candidates should apply via the internet through the Rutgers University office of human resources at the following link:  https://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/201987

Rutgers is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.