Senior Researcher - Rudin Center

Description

Position Summary

Established in 1996 within NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, the NYU Rudin Center for Transportation Policy & Management, led by Sarah Kaufman, is a widely-cited research center focused on shaping the future of urban mobility. Leveraging a dynamic team of Visiting Practitioners and Scholars, the Center drives critical, fast-response research, hosts high-impact convenings, and cultivates the next generation of transportation leaders. We envision the Rudin Center as the catalyst that unites cutting-edge research and dynamic leadership development to foster sustainable, equitable, and technology-driven mobility solutions for the New York region.

The Senior Researcher will help drive the Center's growth, expanding its impact through key research initiatives and programming, and ensuring operational excellence that critically underpins its vital mission. This unique role demands a strategic thinker with a strong command of hands-on financial and administrative management, blending essential day-to-day operations with program leadership to advance groundbreaking work and foster future leaders in the transportation field.

 

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Researcher will undertake a comprehensive range of responsibilities, encompassing both programmatic and essential operational management, with a significant portion of time dedicated to the following duties:

Financial & Operational Management:

• Lead the financial management of the Center, including developing, monitoring, and reconciling budgets, and tracking all sponsored research funding.

• Oversee daily administrative operations to ensure smooth daily functioning of the Center.

• Maintain strict adherence to NYU policies and external grant compliance requirements, safeguarding the integrity and impact of all Center activities.

• Efficiently manage the entire grant submission and budget process, and track sponsored research funding to ensure sustained financial growth and program expansion.

Research & Program Management:

• Help to develop policy reports and ensure the robust dissemination of findings through strategic publications, events, and public engagement.

• Provide essential support for the development and execution of leadership programs, contributing to its strategic direction and logistical success.

Events Management & Public Engagement:

• Execute high-profile symposia, dynamic speaker series, and essential networking events that effectively bring together leaders across transportation policy, industry, and academia.

• This work includes managing all event logistics to ensure seamless and impactful experiences.

Vision & Strategy Support:

• Contribute to shaping research priorities, programming, and public engagement efforts to enhance the Center’s influence and impact.

Team Leadership & Mentorship:

• Supervise intelligent and productive student employees, providing invaluable guidance and fostering their professional development.

• Collaborate effectively with NYU staff and external partners to amplify the Center’s research and outreach efforts.
  

Qualifications

 

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Urban Planning, Transportation, or a closely related field.

• Minimum of 6 years of highly relevant professional work experience in transportation, policy, research management, public sector partnerships, or a related sector.

• Strong organizational capabilities, with demonstrated expertise in complex budget management and the full lifecycle of grants management, including proposal development, financial tracking, and compliance.

• Demonstrated knowledge of transportation policy, planning, and operational landscape specific to the New York metropolitan region is highly preferred.

• Demonstrated experience in managing complex research projects, including aspects of data analysis, policy evaluation, and professional report writing.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills are preferred, with the ability to confidently engage with high-level stakeholders from diverse sectors.

• Excellent attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and the proven ability to prioriti