Research Assistant

Texas A&M University; Bryan (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Research Assistant at Texas A&M University, based at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, will support laboratory and field research, including experiment design, data collection, and equipment installation. The role requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering and strong skills in Python, Abaqus, MATLAB, and VBA.

Travel for fieldwork and after-hours work may be needed. Ideal candidates will assist in data processing, ML/AI-related coding, and quality control, while helping manage student

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field.
• One or more years of related experience preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Fieldwork travels and data collection.
• Equipment installation and field sensor setup.
• Assist in design, planning, scheduling, and coordinating lab and field experiments.
• Code, ML algorithms, macros, and data processing software development.
• Data analysis, QC, and report documentation.
• Maintenance and management of research equipment and student labs.
• Computational modeling and finite element simulations.
• Assist and supervise student workers and junior staff.

Skills

Python

Abaqus

MATLAB

VBA

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Python

Abaqus

MATLAB

VBA

Job description

Job TitleResearch Assistant Agency Texas A&M Transportation Institute Department Pavement Analytics Proposed Minimum SalaryCommensurate Job LocationBryan, Texas Job TypeStaff

Job Description Who are we? The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) is an agency of the State of Texas and member of The Texas A&M University System. For 75 years, TTI has addressed complex transportation challenges and opportunities with innovation, objectivity, and unmatched technical expertise. Our staff delivers excellence, value and thought leadership to ensure our research sponsors achieve their goals.

Our Mission and Vision

Our Vision - TTI leads in the creation of knowledge that transforms transportation for the benefit of society. Our Mission - TTI delivers practical, innovative and sustainable solutions to improve the movement of people, data and goods through research, education and technology transfer.

Our Work Environment

Entrepreneurial culture Affiliation with Texas A&M University students and faculty Ability to work with nationally recognized experts Ability to help train the next generation of transportation professionals Premier office and research facilities and equipment Accredited laboratories and safety proving ground Outstanding research support services Flexible work hours Family friendly High staff retention rates Leadership development and wellness programs Data allowance and home office equipment reimbursements Relocation assistance (if eligible) Tuition reimbursement program (if eligible)

Our Employee Benefits

TTI employees can choose from several health coverage options offered by The Texas A&M University System for themselves and their families, as well as numerous other benefit programs. https://www.tamus.edu/business/benefits-administration/

What you need to know

TTI is a Texas based agency. The primary duty station for this position will be TTI RELLIS campus in Bryan, TX - 1111 Rellis Pkwy, Bryan, TX 77807. Due to the nature of this position, there is not a hybrid remote option available. This can be discussed further during the interview process. The salary range for position is commensurate. Final salary will be determined based on the applicant's qualifications and experience. A Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. Please be advised that Texas A&M University will NOT pay this fee. Therefore, if you need immigration sponsorship for your employment, we recommend that you consult with your private immigration counsel at your own expense to ascertain whether your current immigration status would make a potential offer of employment from Texas A&M University subject to this fee. In addition, on January 27, 2026, Texas Governor Abbot issued a moratorium on the filing of any new H-1B unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Accordingly, if you will now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status this moratorium may affect our ability to employ you should you be selected as the final candidate.

Job Summary

The Research Assistant is responsible for performing skilled, administrative, and managerial support work for various research projects. Specifically, the position will involve assisting in the design, planning, scheduling, and executing of laboratory and field research work including experimentations, equipment installation/removal, site monitoring, data collection, and non-destructive pavement testing. The position will also involve managing the student laboratories as well as providing technical support, maintenance, and management of research equipment. The position will also involve extensive routine fieldwork travels including working after normal business hours, weekends, and/or at night, as needed. Continued employment in this position is contingent upon availability of funding and satisfactory performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Fieldwork travels and data collection (33%)
• Equipment installation in the field, sensor setup, site checks, and removal (30%)
• Assist in the design, planning, scheduling, and coordinating laboratory and field experimental works in support of various research projects (7%)
• Program coding, machine learning algorithms, macros, & software development for data processing, analysis, and quality control (QC) checks (5%)
• Data analysis, synthesis, quality checks, technical auditing/review, report writing, & documentation (10%)
• Maintenance and management of research equipment and student labs (5%)
• Computational modeling, finite element analysis, & numerical simulations (5%)
• Laboratory testing and scientific measurements, as needed (3%)
• Assist student workers and other junior technical staff, as needed (1%)
• Assist and perform other duties, as assigned by senior researchers (1%)

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field No work experience required

Preferred Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering related field Six months to one year of related experience Knowledge of piezoelectric and Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) sensors Electrical engineering and electronics knowledge Program coding and software development skills including Machine Learning and AI algorithms

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability and flexibility to routinely travel for fieldwork including work beyond normal business hours, weekends, and/or at night, as needed Familiarity with Python, AbaQus, MATLAB, and VBA software platforms Conversant with the basic Microsoft Office software package Ability to perform traffic data analysis and quality checks Ability to perform finite element modeling Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Other Requirements

Ability/flexibility to routinely travel for fieldwork. Flexibility to work beyond normal business hours, weekends, and/or at night, as needed May be required to work in hot, cold, and extreme weather conditions. Ability to perform common office functions and fluently communicate with others. Valid USA Class C driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift moderately heavy objects, as needed. Ability to exert heavy force, as needed. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.

The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a statewide network of twelve universities, eight state agencies, a comprehensive health science center, Texas A&M-Fort Worth and Texas A&M-RELLIS. The A&M System is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is conducive to the personal and professional development of each employee. Each member institution provides equal opportunity and access to all students, employees and prospective employees.

External Applicants - Applicants not currently employed by a Texas A&M System member may Search Postings and apply for positions within one or more A&M System members by selecting the job posting. Internal Applicants - This site lists job postings throughout The Texas A&M University System. It is intended for applicants not currently employed by a member of the system. Current employees should apply for jobs on the Internal Career site. The Texas A&M System is an Equal Opportunity/ Veterans/ Disability Employer.