Graduate Research Assistant - Smart Mobility, Human-Centered Design & Emerging Technology (Waco MPO Smart Corridors Project)

The University of Texas at Austin; United States; Hybrid; USD 24,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

TRB benefits are available

Flexible hours

Remote work permitted

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin seeks a Graduate Research Assistant for the Waco Smart Mobility Initiative to translate complex transportation concepts into accessible materials for planners and community members.

Work includes qualitative research, stakeholder interviews, and development of educational resources. Flexible, remote-possible with in-person meetings, ending 12/31/2026, with TRB benefits and potential extension.

Qualifications

• Current UT Austin graduate student. Background in Information Studies, Human-Centered Design, UX Research, Public Policy, Community and Regional Planning, Architecture, Design, Social Sciences, Communications, or related field.
• Strong writing, communication, and synthesis skills.
• Experience conducting or supporting qualitative research, interviews, stakeholder engagement, or user research.

Responsibilities

• Quality of Life Research & Stakeholder Discovery: Conduct research on transportation-related quality-of-life indicators; identify community priorities and opportunities; prepare research summaries and insights reports.
• Smart Mobility & Emerging Technology Research: Review literature on smart transportation; translate complex concepts into accessible language; contribute to a Smart Transportation Technology Primer.
• Scenario & Engagement Tool Design: Develop transportation scenarios and engagement materials; create tools to help stakeholders understand future concepts.
• Research Writing & Knowledge Products: Prepare presentations, briefs, and educational materials; assist with reports and planning documents.
• Qualitative Analysis & Synthesis: Analyze interview notes and stakeholder feedback; identify themes and recommendations.

Skills

Qualitative research

Stakeholder engagement

UX research

Public policy

Communication

Synthesis

Interviews

Education

Current UT Austin graduate student (Information Studies, HCD, UX Research, Public Policy, or related)

Tools

None

Job description

Job Posting Title

Graduate Research Assistant - Smart Mobility, Human-Centered Design & Emerging Technology (Waco MPO Smart Corridors Project)

Hiring Department

IC2 Institute

Position Open To

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours

20

FLSA Status

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date

Immediately

Position Duration

Expected to Continue Until Dec 31, 2026

Location

UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details

General Notes Under the direction of the Program Manager of Strategy and Engagement, the GRA will work closely with IC² Institute researchers, transportation planners, community stakeholders, and regional partners. The Waco Smart Mobility Initiative explores how emerging transportation technologies can improve safety, accessibility, mobility, quality of life, and future transportation planning. A major focus of the position will be translating complex transportation and technology concepts into accessible and engaging resources for planners, stakeholders, policymakers, and community members. This is a temporary benefits-eligible position ending on December 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension depending on funding and project needs. TRB benefits are available.

Purpose

The Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) will support research, design, and stakeholder engagement activities associated with the Waco Smart Mobility Initiative. The position will focus on quality-of-life research, emerging transportation technologies, educational resource development, qualitative interviews, and the creation of stakeholder engagement tools and future mobility scenarios. This role is ideal for a graduate student interested in human-centered design, information studies, user experience research, public policy, civic technology, community engagement, or emerging technologies.

Responsibilities

Quality of Life Research & Stakeholder Discovery

Conduct research on transportation-related quality-of-life indicators. Participate in stakeholder interviews and conversations with community organizations, researchers, and planning partners. Help identify community priorities, concerns, and opportunities related to transportation and mobility. Prepare research summaries, interview memos, and insights reports.

Smart Mobility & Emerging Technology Research

Conduct literature reviews on smart transportation and emerging mobility technologies. Research technologies such as connected infrastructure, AI-enabled transportation systems, sensor networks, real-time analytics, and autonomous mobility. Translate technical concepts into clear and accessible language. Contribute to development of a Smart Transportation Technology Primer.

Scenario & Engagement Tool Design

Support development of transportation and mobility scenarios, vignettes, storyboards, and engagement materials. Create tools that help stakeholders understand future transportation concepts and provide meaningful feedback. Contribute to design of educational and engagement resources.

Research Writing & Knowledge Products

Develop presentations, briefing documents, literature summaries, policy briefs, and educational materials. Assist with project deliverables and stakeholder-facing resources. Support preparation of reports and planning documents.

Qualitative Analysis & Synthesis

Analyze interview notes, stakeholder feedback, and qualitative research findings. Identify themes, patterns, and recommendations. Support development of findings memos and synthesis reports.

Project Support & Coordination

Participate in project meetings. Support project planning and team coordination.

Required Qualifications

Current UT Austin graduate student. Background in Information Studies, Human-Centered Design, UX Research, Public Policy, Community and Regional Planning, Architecture, Design, Social Sciences, Communications, or related field. Strong writing, communication, and synthesis skills. Experience conducting or supporting qualitative research, interviews, stakeholder engagement, or user research. Ability to communicate complex concepts to non-technical audiences. Ability to organize and synthesize information from multiple sources into clear insights. Ability to work independently while collaborating across interdisciplinary teams. Interest in emerging technologies and their impact on communities and public decision-making. Must be authorized to work in the United States and meet all UT student worker eligibility requirements. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Graduate student in the UT School of Information (iSchool) or related program. Experience with human-centered design, design strategy, UX research, service design, design thinking, or participatory design. Experience creating educational materials, toolkits, guides, visual communications, or stakeholder engagement resources. Familiarity with transportation, mobility, AI, civic technology, smart infrastructure, or public-sector innovation. Experience developing scenarios, journey maps, personas, storyboards, vignettes, or other design artifacts. Experience conducting literature reviews and translating research findings for non-technical audiences. Experience with qualitative analysis and stakeholder research methods. Graphic design, information visualization, presentation design, or storytelling experience is a plus.

Salary Range

$28,000 (depending on qualifications)

Working Conditions

Typical office environment. Remote work environment with occasional in-person meetings. GRA's will use their own computers.

Work Shift

Monday - Friday, 8 am to 5 pm

Maximum Hours

Up to 20 hours per week

Location Specifics

Nominally, in-person at the IC² Institute, however, remote work is currently permitted

Flexible Hours

Flexible hours to be arranged with supervisor

Required Materials

Resume/CV, 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a faculty and at least one reference from a professional/supervisor if available Letter of interest.

Employment Eligibility

Please confirm your eligibility for this position here: http://www.utexas.edu/hr/student/student_acad_employment.html

Retirement Plan Eligibility

Students in this position may choose to enroll in the UTSaver voluntary retirement programs.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

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Compliance

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