CDL Research Assistant

Dedicated to solving the most challenging problems for truck and bus developers, fleets, and drivers/operators. VTTI’s Division of Freight, Transit, & Heavy Vehicle Safety (DHVY) is seeking hard working, innovative, flexible, and qualified individual with an interest to learn, participate in, and deliver transportation related research and safety messages. Research projects range from small test-track experiments using a single next-generation heavy vehicle to large naturalistic studies involving hundreds of vehicles on live roadways. The research often features data acquisition systems to unobtrusively collect various sensor elements with the aim of characterizing the roadway, vehicle, and driver performance. Other research focuses on simulator testing or measuring vehicle performance in simulated modeling environments. These measures and robust data sets are analyzed to address specific research questions that tend to focus on the characterization of existing transportation problems (e.g. crash causation) and/or the performance/development of advanced or automated vehicle systems (e.g. crash avoidance technology). This role requires demonstrated ability to consistently follow safety procedures for vehicle operations, exercise discretion and judgment as well as problem solving, communication, organization, and documentation skills. As a member of the team, this position requires previous experience conducting similar tasks in a related field.

Duties and responsibilities will include: Driving a Commercial Motor Vehicle | Conducting various research tasks, working on multiple projects | Possible interaction with participants during data collection | Participates in outreach activities, including those that involve travel (travel will vary based on project, but may occur up to 50 percent of time for extended periods) | Most office hours are daytime Monday through Friday, but must be available and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed to meet project deadlines.

- Currently holds a valid Class A CDL in good standing.
- Has a valid and up to date CDL physical.
- Bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, human factors, or related field OR equivalent combination of education (e.g., a technical-oriented Associate Degree) & training. - Demonstrated experience and/or knowledge in lab and research policies, procedures, and protocols.
- Strong communication skills and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced research environment.
- Willingness to be trained to operate a range of vehicles for testing.

- Demonstrated experience drafting research protocols directed at data collection, data download, data reduction, and data analysis using specialized human factors techniques and methods.
- Demonstrated proficiency with research software (i.e. strong Excel skills, office suite).

4

Restricted

Starting at $25/hr, commensurate with experience

2/7/2023

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check and safe driving record check. 

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.