Research Scientist Principal/KTC

University of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work eligibility

Tuition waivers through Employee Ed. P

Healthcare, retirement, PTO

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

University of Kentucky is seeking a Research Scientist Principal/KTC to lead multidisciplinary transportation research at the Kentucky Transportation Center in Lexington. You will supervise staff, develop innovative methodologies, secure external funding, and strengthen partnerships with transportation agencies and clients.

You will design and oversee complex projects, manage budgets and reports, and publish findings in academic venues. A PhD and 3 years of related experience are required.

Qualifications

• PhD required with 3+ years of related research experience.
• Strong leadership and proven ability to mentor staff.
• Experience securing external research funding and grants.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary transportation research initiatives.
• Supervise researchers, technicians, and graduate students.
• Develop reports, proposals, and publications.
• Lead efforts to obtain external funding and manage proposals.
• Oversee data collection, analysis, and synthesis.
• Collaborate with engineers and diverse research teams.
• Manage client relationships and external partnerships.
• Coordinate budgets, timesheets, travel, and procurement.
• Represent KTC at conferences and professional groups.

Skills

Leadership

Grant writing

Research design

Data analysis

Team collaboration

Communication

Project management

Microsoft Office

ArcGIS

JMP

Stata

SAS

Education

PhD

Tools

ArcGIS

JMP

Stata

SAS

Job description

Posting Details

Job Title
Research Scientist Principal/KTC

Requisition Number
RE55894

Working Title

Department Name
8H060:Kentucky Transportation Center

Work Location
Lexington, KY

Grade Level
49

Salary Range
$73,861-121,888/year

Type of Position
Staff

Position Time Status
Full-Time

Required Education
PhD

Required Related Experience
3 yrs

Required License/Registration/Certification
None

Physical Requirements
Lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects up to 50 lbs.

Shift
Monday-Friday 8:00am — 5:00pm.

Job Summary

Lead Multidisciplinary Transportation Research and Advance Innovation Through Strategic Project Leadership

The University of Kentucky is seeking a Research Scientist Principal/ KTC to join the Kentucky Transportation Center ( KTC ) .

This position serves as a technical specialist leading multidisciplinary transportation research initiatives that support local, state, and federal transportation agencies. The role provides leadership across multiple research projects, supervises research staff and technicians, develops innovative research methodologies, secures external funding, and strengthens partnerships with transportation organizations and clients.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the design, execution, and oversight of complex transportation research projects across a variety of subject areas.
• Supervise research scientists, technicians, and graduate students, including conducting performance reviews and providing professional guidance.
• Develop and author research reports, grant proposals, technical documentation, and academic publications.
• Lead efforts to secure external funding and manage proposal development activities.
• Oversee complex data collection, analysis, interpretation, and synthesis of research findings.
• Collaborate with research engineers and multidisciplinary teams on funded projects and new research opportunities.
• Manage client relationships and facilitate interactions between KTC and external transportation agencies and organizations.
• Coordinate project administration activities, including budgets, timesheets, travel documentation, invoices, and purchase orders.
• Represent KTC at professional conferences, research forums, and industry organizations.

What You’ll Bring

• Strong leadership and personnel management skills.
• Ability to delegate responsibilities, provide direction, and hold team members accountable for performance.
• Exceptional professional, technical, and scientific writing abilities.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience developing grant proposals and pursuing external research funding.
• Expertise in research design, methodology development, data interpretation, and knowledge transfer.
• Proficiency with at least one advanced research software package such as ArcGIS, JMP, Stata, or SAS.
• Strong interpersonal, presentation, and client relationship management skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with researchers from multiple disciplines and backgrounds.

Minimum Requirements

• Doctoral degree
• 3 years of related research experience

What’s In It for You

• Opportunity to lead impactful transportation research that helps shape transportation systems at the local, state, and national levels.
• Hybrid work eligibility, with approval.
• Professional development support, including conference attendance, training opportunities, and specialized courses.
• Access to the University of Kentucky Employee Education Program, providing tuition waivers for eligible coursework.
• Competitive healthcare, retirement, and paid time off benefits.
• Collaborate in a collegial, research-focused environment that supports innovation and professional growth.
• UK’s Exceptional Benefits

Why Now?

The Kentucky Transportation Center continues to support a growing portfolio of transportation research projects that address infrastructure, safety, operations, environmental, and policy challenges facing transportation agencies. This role provides critical scientific leadership to ensure projects deliver meaningful, evidence-based outcomes for clients and stakeholders.

As KTC expands research opportunities and external partnerships, the Research Scientist Principal will play a key role in securing funding, mentoring research staff, advancing technical expertise, and strengthening the Center’s reputation as a leader in transportation research and innovation.

Internal Employee Being Considered

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Proficient with Microsoft Office products. Good written and verbal communication skills. Works well in a team setting, but also thrives working independently. Pays close attention to detail. Employs strong analytical and organization skills. Excels even when working under time constraints. Robust interpersonal skills and customer service oriented. Is an innovative thinker and problem solver. Effectively provides guidance and direction to other team members. Strong leader with management experience. Driver’s License.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

No

Deadline to Apply

09/28/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.