Postdoctoral Research Associate - Traffic Engineering

Rutgers University; Piscataway Township (NJ); On-site; USD 57,571 - 70,364; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage

Paid vacation and holidays

Retirement benefits

Educational benefits

Life insurance

Job summary

Rutgers University is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Traffic Engineering. This role involves collaboration on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) projects and outreach with transportation agencies.

Candidates should have a Ph.D., minimum five years professional experience, and strong communication skills. The position offers competitive benefits and a minimum salary of $63,968.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a related field or equivalent education/experience.
• Minimum five years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated success in grant proposals for ITS projects.
• Extensive knowledge of traffic engineering principles.
• Experience with field instrumentation and ITS devices.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on technology solutions for data sharing.
• Monitor and test performance of system components.
• Engage with agencies to identify client needs.
• Prepare funding proposals for project support.
• Provide technical support to internal teams.

Skills

Communication skills

Computer literacy

ITS project experience

Traffic engineering principles

Problem-solving skills

Collaborative skills

Education

Ph.D. in a related field

Tools

Traffic simulation tools

ITS software

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Traffic Engineering

Recruitment Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate - Traffic Engineering

Department: Advanced Infrastructure Center

Job Type: Full Time

Posting Number: 26FA0445

Position Summary: The Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT) within the School of Engineering at Rutgers University seeks a Postdoctoral Associate in Traffic Engineering specializing in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). This pivotal role requires a blend of technical expertise, project management, and collaboration skills. The successful candidate will contribute to the development, deployment, maintenance, and enhancement of ITS projects in the DataCity Smart Mobility Testing Ground program.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with DataCity principal investigators and students to design, develop, and implement technology solutions for data sharing and application test platforms (30%).
• Monitor, assess, and test performance of front‑end and back‑end systems, identifying improvement areas and developing enhancement plans (30%).
• Engage in outreach and coordination with transportation agencies and private sectors to identify client needs and seek collaboration opportunities (10%).
• Prepare, plan, and write funding proposals to secure financial support from federal, state, and local sources (10%).
• Provide technical support, guidance, and training to internal student teams and agency partners (10%).
• Ensure effective documentation of system processes, configurations, and changes (10%).

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in a related field or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Minimum five years of relevant professional experience.
• Excellent communication skills and computer literacy.
• Experience with large‑scale ITS projects and Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) testbeds.
• Track record of involvement in large‑scale ITS initiatives, demonstrating design, implementation, and management of advanced transportation systems.
• Extensive knowledge of transportation and traffic engineering principles and ability to design, plan, and document complex ITS solutions.
• Familiarity with ITS and microscopic traffic simulation architectures.
• Hands‑on experience with field instrumentation and installation/deployment of ITS devices.
• Demonstrated success in preparing, drafting, and submitting grant proposals for ITS projects.
• Background in maintenance, optimization, and operational oversight of ITS systems.
• Forward‑thinking mindset to stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends.
• Effective communication, problem‑solving, and collaborative skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with CAV testbeds.
• Experience in large‑scale data processing and transmission systems.
• Experience with traffic simulation tools and methodologies.
• Proficiency in ITS software or mobile application development.
• Experience with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operation.
• Experience with photogrammetry and SLAM‑based scanning devices.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: Requires in‑person field work with data collection and testing instrumentation and computer‑based research and development.

Immunization Requirements: Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate’s offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Benefits:

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs.
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax‑deferred savings options.
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable).
• Life insurance coverage.
• Employee discount programs.

Salary: Minimum salary $63,968. Final salary offer may be determined by experience, qualifications, and funding availability.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement