Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job Title
Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency
Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Department
Environmental Modeling

Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate

Job Location
Austin, Texas

Job Type
Staff

Job Description

Who are we?

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) is an agency of the State of Texas and member of The Texas A&M University System. For 75 years, TTI has addressed complex transportation challenges and opportunities with innovation, objectivity, and unmatched technical expertise. Our staff delivers excellence, value and thought leadership to ensure our research sponsors achieve their goals.

Our Mission and Vision

• Our Vision - TTI leads in the creation of knowledge that transforms transportation for the benefit of society.

• Our Mission - TTI delivers practical, innovative and sustainable solutions to improve the movement of people, data and goods through research, education and technology transfer.

Our Work Environment

• Entrepreneurial culture

• Affiliation with Texas A&M University students and faculty

• Ability to work with nationally recognized experts

• Ability to help train the next generation of transportation professionals

• Premier office and research facilities and equipment

• Accredited laboratories and safety proving ground

• Outstanding research support services

• Hybrid work environment/telecommuting

• Flexible work hours

• Family friendly

• High staff retention rates

• Leadership development and wellness programs

• Data allowance and home office equipment reimbursements

• Relocation assistance (if eligible)

• Tuition reimbursement program (if eligible)

Our Employee Benefits

TTI employees can choose from several health coverage options offered by The Texas A&M University System for themselves and their families, as well as numerous other benefit programs.

https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/

What you need to know

• TTI is a Texas based agency. This position has the flexibility of a hybrid remote option with two days in a TTI Texas based office. This can be discussed further during the interview process.

• Your primary duty station can be Austin, Bryan, or Dallas TTI. You are required to report to one of these locations for the first 30 days of employment. Following this initial period, a flexible work arrangement may be approved at the agency's discretion.

• The salary range for position is commensurate. Final salary will be determined based on the applicant's qualifications and experience.

• A Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Please be advised that Texas A&M University will NOT pay this fee. Therefore, if you need immigration sponsorship for your employment, we recommend that you consult with your private immigration counsel at your own expense to ascertain whether your current immigration status would make a potential offer of employment from Texas A&M University subject to this fee.

• In addition, on January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Abbot issued a moratorium on the filing of any new H-1B unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Accordingly, if you will now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status this moratorium may affect our ability to employ you should you be selected as the final candidate.

Job Description Summary:

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute's Air Quality and Environment Division is seeking candidates with experience in environmental or transportation field interested in working on research related to transportation and the environment. The successful applicant will conduct research in the areas of transportation (on-road, non-road, airport, rail, etc.) activity, emissions, and energy modeling, and other environmental areas. The successful applicant will perform research on externally funded projects and actively seek and obtain externally funded research projects by participating in research proposal development. The successful applicant is expected to work within collaborative teams on projects led by other Principal Investigators (PI) and gradually progress into a PI role on externally funded research projects. Continued employment in this position is contingent upon the availability of funding and satisfactory performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare technical documents, including formal project reports and scientific papers. (40%)
• Conduct laboratory and field data collection, with possible travel. (35%)
• Design and execute applied research projects throughout the research cycle, including proposal writing, literature reviews, data collection, data analysis, and reporting. (15%).
• Help develop division-wide work processes. (9%)
• Other duties as assigned. (1%)

Required Education & Experience

• Ph.D. in Civil, Environmental, or Transportation Engineering
• No experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in data collection, interpretation, and statistical analysis.
• Proficiency in data analytics, visualization.
• Proficiency in at least one of the following programming languages: R or Python.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to work independently, but collaboratively on multiple projects.
• Ability to work strategically with oversight from a Program Manager or senior staff.

Required Licenses, Registrations, and Professional Certifications:

• Valid Class "C" vehicle operator's license or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Proficiency in field data collection and analysis.
• Proficiency in at least one of the following BI tools: Tableau or PowerBI.
• Proficiency in at least one of the GIS tools: ArcGIS or QGIS.
• Proficiency in at least one of the following programming languages: R or Python.

Other Requirements or Other Factors:

• May travel to sites for field data collection.

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.