Assistant Research Scientist

Job Title

TTI Assistant Research Scientist

Agency

Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Department

Roadside Safety

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Bryan, Texas

Job Type

Faculty

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 that supports a hybrid work environment. This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, including remote and in-office work, subject to agency policy, operational needs, and supervisory approval. Details can be discussed during the interview process.
• The primary duty station for this position is TTI Headquarters located at 1111 Rellis Pkwy, Bryan, TX 77807. Employees are required to report in person to this location for their first 30 days of employment. After this period, a hybrid work arrangement may be approved at the agency's discretion, with TTI Headquarters remaining the primary duty station.

• 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 Summary:

This position is expected to serve as Principal Investigator (PI), Co-PI, or contribute as a significant lead in research and proposal development within the Roadside Safety and Physical Security Division of TTI. Has an understanding of principles of quality and unbiased research. Completes projects on-time with completed deliverables. Conducts research following safety practices and guidelines. Understands rules, policies, and regulation of TTI, TAMUS, and IRB. Participate in technology transfer and implementation. Employee will be responsible for project management, composing various reports and papers, presenting deliverables and study results, overseeing students, developing proposals, and interprogram coordination. Continued employment in this position is contingent upon availability of funding and satisfactory performance.

Essential Duties:

• Perform applied research duties, including performing engineering and simulation analyses in support of the design and development of roadside safety devices, and conducting crash testing to analyze and evaluate roadside safety features. Plan, schedule, coordinate, and report detailed phases of research and development projects. Conduct necessary literature review, background information searches, and surveys to support techniques and methodologies used, as well as documenting past research for reporting purposes. (60%)
• Manage, communicate, and coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams comprising research staff, graduate and undergraduate students, and support staff to ensure the completion of research objectives and timely delivery of high-quality project deliverables. (10%)
• Compile, document, and present research results in formats required for inclusion in reports, technical memoranda, and presentations. Prepare technical documentation, including literature reviews, analyses methods and results, and summaries. Prepare project reports and other deliverables as required. Prepare materials for presentation of research results and other deliverables at technical meetings or other venues and to sponsors. (10%)
• Actively seek and obtain externally-funded research projects associated with performing work on basic and applied research and engineering problems, including preparation of research proposals as Principal Investigator (PI), Co-PI, or key researcher. (8%)
• Prepare and give presentations to existing and potential sponsors at meetings or in conference settings. Prepare, schedule, conduct, and document research meetings. (5%)
• Interact with sponsors and potential clients. (5%)
• Other duties as assigned. (2%)

Required Education and Experience:

• Master’s Degree in relevant field of engineering
• 3 years of related professional experience to include:
  • Non-linear finite element modeling and simulation
  • Design and testing of roadside safety devices

Preferred Qualifications:

• LS-DYNA, HyperMesh, Solidworks, computer programming

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills along with interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Strong technical writing skills.
• Ability to handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others in a team environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform common office functions
• Ability to frequently communicate with other individuals within the workplace.
• Ability to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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.