Research Specialist I

Job description

Agency

Department

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

• 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 is the TTI Headquarters, located at 1111 Rellis Pkwy, Bryan, TX 77807. Due to the nature of this role, this position is required to work on-site and is not eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement. Additional details may be discussed during the interview process.
• TTI is currently hiring for two (2) Research Specialist I positions. Multiple qualified candidates may be selected from this posting.

• 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 Specialist I, under general supervision, is responsible for performing semi-skilled, technical support research work involving performance of assignments requiring modification and adaptation to routine procedures. Specifically, this position will involve extensive routine field travels and fieldwork, i.e., most of the work effort will predominantly be fieldwork including working after normal business hours and/or at night, as needed. This work will be performed under general supervision with evaluation based on the successful completion of the tasks assigned. Continued employment in this position is contingent upon funding availability and satisfactory performance

Essential Duties

• Fieldwork travel, traffic measurements, and data collection (55%)
• Equipment installation in the field, sensor setup, site checks, and removal (25%)
• Managing the labs and material inventory including equipment maintenance (10%)
• Laboratory testing and scientific measurements, as needed (5%)
• Test data summation, compilation, documentation, and cataloguing including assisting with data records/processing, data entry/review, training manuals/materials development, etc., as needed (3%)
• Assist and perform other duties, as assigned, by senior researchers (2%)

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Four (4) years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering related field (preferably Civil Engineering)
• Two to four years of fieldwork related experience
• Knowledgeable about traffic measuring equipment

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others
• Ability and flexibility to routinely travel for fieldwork
• Ability and flexibility to work beyond normal business hours, weekends, and/or at night, as needed
• Conversant with basic Microsoft Office software package

Other Requirements or Factors

• May be required to work in hot, cold, and extreme weather conditions
• Valid USA Class C driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment
• Ability and flexibility to routinely travel for fieldwork including work beyond normal business hours, weekends, and/or at night, as needed

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift moderately heavy objects, up to 50 lbs, as needed
• Ability to exert heavy force, up to 50 lbs, as needed
• Ability to operate a computer and other office productivity machinery

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.