Transportation Researcher

Position Title:

Transportation Researcher

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with transportation safety analysis

Experience with Iowa Department of Transportation crash and infrastructure data

Experience using connected vehicle data

Master’s degree or above in Civil Engineering or related degree

Job Description:

Are you looking for a position where you get to make a difference? Do you enjoy communicating and engaging with a wide variety of people?

If so, The Institute for Transportation at Iowa State University is currently seeking applicants for a Transportation Researcher! This position will be hired as a Research Scientist II.

The Institute for Transportation (InTrans) is an $18 million research organization at Iowa State University that includes seven centers and seven programs. InTrans conducts transportation-related research and outreach, and addresses the education and workforce development needs of future transportation professionals. InTrans' mission is to develop and implement innovative methods, materials, and technologies for improving transportation system efficiency, safety, reliability, and sustainability while improving the learning environment of students, faculty, and staff in transportation-related fields.

Faculty, students, and staff at the Institute for Transportation are dedicated to roadway safety. Research projects, training programs, traffic operations data analyses, and the coordination of local roadway safety efforts all contribute to InTrans’ reputation as a leading transportation safety institute. Studies by InTrans researchers have led to advancements in work zone safety, speed mitigation, road design, roadway signage and pavement markings, incident response, and much more.

This position will support various research projects at the state and national levels. These projects cover a range of topics including, but not limited to, transportation safety, geometric design, work zones, traffic operations, statistical analysis of transportation data, and infrastructure-vehicle technology interactions. The successful candidate will:

• Support the development of proposals

• Write literature reviews

• Conduct meetings with stakeholders and research participants

• Conduct surveys

• Collect, compile, and analyze data

• Perform other duties as assigned

This is a one-year, fixed term position with the opportunity for renewal.

Level Guidelines
• Intermediate-level position with solid professional and/or technical skills working under general supervision to achieve goals
• Applies broad, working knowledge of the principles of the field to moderately complex, difficult, and varied problems and issues
• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action and resolve problems
• Responds to a broad range of inquiries and requests
• May provide training and/or direction to lower-level staff
• May lead projects of moderate scope and complexity
• Provides guidance to students

Appointment Type:

Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

January 12, 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS808

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Why Choose ISU?

Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
• Iowa State offers WorkFlex opti