Hourly Research Analyst

University of New Hampshire; United States; On-site; USD 39,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

University of New Hampshire is seeking an hourly research analyst (part-time, 10-15 hours/week) to conduct advanced pavement performance analysis and statistical modelling of asphalt properties and field performance. You will support development of material property databases and prepare technical reports and conference or journal submissions.

The role involves collaboration with graduate students, in-person weekly meetings in Durham, and dissemination of findings to project sponsors.

Qualifications

• PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience in advanced pavement performance modelling.
• Demonstrated experience in advanced statistical analysis and modelling of pavement material properties and field data.
• First author publication in high impact civil engineering journals.

Responsibilities

• Pavement Performance Modelling: convert field data into performance indices and run mechanistic-empirical analyses.
• Statistical Analyses: organize data, detect outliers, perform correlations and univariate/bivariate analyses.
• Material Property/pavement Predictor Screening: identify reliable predictor variables and validate models.
• Deliverable Development: produce technical reports, papers, and presentations and present findings to sponsors.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Python programming

Communication skills

Graduate student supervision

Education

Doctorate in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Tools

Pathways

Pathweb

Database management systems

Job description

USNH Employees should apply within Workday through the Jobs Hub app

At present, several externally funded research grants require extensive use of statistical analyses and modelling of highway asphalt mixture properties and in-situ performance to satisfy project tasks. The requested position of hourly research analyst (part-time with approximately 10-15 hours/week) will undertake research activities to conduct advanced pavement performance analysis, statistical correlations between asphalt mixture properties and field performance, support development of material property databases and development of research reports and other dissemination products (papers, presentations).

Duties/Responsibilities:

Pavement Performance Modelling (25%)

• Process field collected cracking and ride quality measurements into performance indices
• Conduct mechanistic-empirical pavement analysis of study pavements
• Evaluate combined effects of traffic and environmental stressors on pavement performance through use of mechanistic and data drive models.

Statistical Analyses (25%)

• Data organization and outlier detection and elimination
• Linear and non-linear correlation analyses
• Univariate description and bivariate inference analysis
• Development of data driven models

Material Property and Pavement Performance Predictor Screening (15%)

• Use of statistical analyses to determine reliable predictor variables for pavement performance
• Conducting independent validation of the statistical modelling outcomes
• Exploring thresholds for material properties that can be used in material specifications to enhance pavement performance reliability

Deliverable Development and Dissemination (35%)

• Develop research project deliverables in form of technical reports and memos.
• Develop peer-review journal article drafts and technical presentations.
• Present research findings to research sponsors and obtain their feedback to revise project deliverables.

Requirements:

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:

• Doctorate in Civil and Environmental Engineering or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting advanced pavement performance modelling.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting advanced statistical analysis and modelling of pavement material properties and pavement field performance data.
• A record first author publication in high impact civil engineering journals.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proficiency in Python programming
• Database management skills
• Ability to extract and process pavement field performance data from state transportation agency highway pavement management and condition assessment systems (such as, Pathways and Pathweb).
• Strong oral and written communication skills, specifically for technical writing.
• Ability to work with current graduate students on tasks associated with laboratory testing and statistical analyses

Other Requirements:

• Ability to participate in once a week in-person meetings in Durham at UNH

Preferred Qualifications:

• Laboratory experience in asphalt mixture design and performance testing
• Experience with fracture mechanics-based materials testing
• Experience of working with public transportation agency staff

Compensation Pay Range:

$34.00/hour

Please be advised that this position is supported by external sponsor funding. As such, continued employment in this role is contingent upon the availability of those external funds. If, for any reason, the sponsor funding is reduced or discontinued, employment may be subject to modification or termination in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full‑time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

The pay range for this position is listed above. Actual offer will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity, in addition to relevant business considerations. More information on benefits can be found here: USNH Employee Benefits | Human Resources

Location:

Durham

Salary Grade:

Adjunct Hourly Staff 00