Research Scientist Principal/KTC

University of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work eligibility

Tuition waivers

Healthcare, retirement & paid time off

Job summary

The University of Kentucky, Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC), seeks a Research Scientist Principal to lead multidisciplinary transportation research and innovation through strategic project leadership. You will guide projects, supervise staff, and develop new methodologies to advance transportation solutions for local, state, and federal agencies.

Responsibilities include securing funding, coordinating cross-disciplinary teams, authoring reports and grants, and representing KTC with external

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of related transportation research experience.
• Strong leadership and written communication abilities.
• Experience securing external funding and grant proposals.

Responsibilities

• 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 performance reviews and mentorship.
• Develop and author research reports, grant proposals, technical documentation, and publications.
• Lead efforts to secure external funding and manage proposal development activities.
• Oversee data collection, analysis, interpretation, and synthesis of findings.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on funded projects and new research opportunities.
• Manage client relationships and interactions between KTC and external agencies.
• Coordinate budgets, timesheets, travel, invoices, and purchase orders.
• Represent KTC at conferences, forums, and industry organizations.

Skills

Leadership

Grant writing

Research design

Communication

Team supervision

Tools

ArcGIS

JMP

Stata

SAS

Job description

Click here for more information about equivalencies:

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.
• 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.

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?

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No

Preferred Education/Experience

Deadline to Apply

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.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How many years of experience do you have conducting transportation research?
  • No Response
  • None
  • More than 0, up through 1 year
  • More than 1 year, up through 2 years
  • More than 2 years, up through 3 years
  • More than 3 years, up through 4 years
  • More than 4 years