Essential Job Duties

This Research Associate supports transportation safety research and technical assistance activities focused on improving roadway safety outcomes through data analysis, applied research, and stakeholder collaboration. The position assists with the development and implementation of analytical methods, tools, and evaluations related to roadway safety initiatives, transportation operations, and Safe System strategies.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Conducting quantitative analyses using crash data, roadway inventory data, exposure metrics, operational data, vehicle telematics, and related transportation datasets.
• Assisting with development of analytical methods, tools, and performance measures to evaluate roadway safety initiatives and strategies.
• Supporting identification and evaluation of systemic roadway safety risk factors associated with roadway design, road user behavior, vehicle performance, and post-crash care.
• Assisting with preparation of technical reports, memoranda, presentations, and other project deliverables.
• Supporting interdisciplinary collaboration with stakeholders in engineering, planning, public health, public policy, law enforcement, and related fields.
• Translating technical findings into clear and actionable information for practitioners and project stakeholders.
• Assisting with evaluation of the feasibility and effectiveness of proposed safety interventions and operational strategies.
• Participating in field data collection, implementation support, and related technical activities as needed.
• Supporting proposal development, research documentation, and implementation activities under the direction of senior staff.

Minimum Experience/Education

Master's degree in engineering, transportation planning, public administration, economics, data analytics, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Required Qualifications

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with data analysis and technical documentation
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and related analytical software tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Safe System and Vision Zero principles
• Experience with transportation safety or transportation operations analyses
• Experience working with transportation-related datasets
• Familiarity with statistical analysis, GIS, Python, R, SQL, PostgreSQL, or related analytical tools
• Experience supporting research or technical projects
• Experience with stakeholder engagement or public-sector collaboration
• Previous experience in a transportation agency, consulting, municipal, or research environment