Director, Transit & Rail Cooperative Research

National Academy of Sciences; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 126,880 - 198,250; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Travel opportunities

Education assistance

Job summary

The National Academies seeks a Program Director for Transit and Rail within the Cooperative Research Program. This senior leadership role oversees a diverse portfolio of applied transportation research, balancing portfolio performance with staff development and strategic direction.

The position requires a Ph.D. or equivalent leadership in complex projects, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to navigate consensus among stakeholders while advancing program goals.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or advanced degree with leadership in complex projects or programs.
• Experience managing applied research projects and supervising staff.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for a diverse portfolio of transportation research.
• Manage complex or high-profile projects and supervise staff.
• Ensure research meets standards of rigor, relevance, objectivity.
• Advise the Deputy Director on performance and resource needs.
• Prepare executive‑ready briefings, summaries, and memos.
• Collaborate with CRP teams and TRB units to integrate outcomes.

Skills

Cooperative research programs

Policy environments

Strong communication

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Independent judgment

Mentoring staff

Partnering across divisions

Education

Ph.D. in transportation/public policy/related field

Master/Bachelor with leadership experience

Tools

Microsoft Teams

Asana

Job description

The National Academies seeks a Program Director for Transit and Rail within the Cooperative Research Program. This senior leadership role oversees a diverse portfolio of applied transportation research, balancing portfolio performance with staff development and strategic direction.

The position requires a Ph.D. or equivalent leadership in complex projects, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to navigate consensus among stakeholders while advancing program goals.