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PostDoc - Policy and Travel behavior

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Position description

The Policy Institute for Energy, Environment and the Economy (PIEEE), UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS-Davis) and Three Revolutions Future Mobility Program seek to hire a researcher to study the policy outcomes and travel behavior impacts of shared use mobility alternatives including carsharing, ridehailing and micromobility. In particular, the focus of this research will be on equity and how to identify and resolve barriers to transportation for those with disabilities, and design transportation policies and services that harvest the benefits of new technologies to remove existing barriers and improve mobility “for all”.
The researcher will develop an effective research program encompassing the adoption of shared use mobility alternatives and policy making activities related to these alternatives. The research program should also cover the development of policy outcomes addressing the impacts of shared use mobility alternatives on transportation systems and how it affects people with disabilities.
The researcher should have strong quantitative skills, research experience and ability to use existing data, including big data sources, and collect new data in various forms including surveys and qualitative interviews. The applicant should have strong communication skills that will be used in disseminating research results to policymakers using policy briefs, webinars, and one-on-one engagement. The researcher will develop knowledge of the theories used to understand both the individual behavior and the policy making processes and be capable of leading a team of students and researchers. The researcher will engage in the following activities: develop research protocols and write grant proposals, analyze the findings for statistical significance and synthesize the results for publication in academic journals, and present them at academic conferences and professional meetings.
The researcher will be expected to contribute to the group’s communication efforts with professional societies, other educational/research organizations, editorial boards, as well as prepare presentations, review articles, and review of grants and manuscripts. The researcher will also support policy engagement, such as sharing research findings in policy briefs and other forms useful for legislative and regulatory staff.
Applicants must have a Ph.D.in engineering or other quantitative scientific field, public policy, political science, transportation or urban planning or another transportation-related field. A record of publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals is strongly desirable.
The applicant must possess or be able to develop expertise in designing and conducting research, experience developing research protocols, including filing, obtaining, and maintaining institutional review board project approval; and knowledge and proven experience in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, including statistics and social network analysis.
The applicant should have or develop experience in managing confidential personal data securely, and knowledge of IRB requirements related to personally identifiable information. The applicant should be competent in the use of at least one of the following statistical software packages: SPSS, STATA, R, or JMP. The applicant must be able to demonstrate ability to secure research funding, and ability to initiate, coordinate, and conduct research programs in a variety of transportation research fields, and with a variety of funding sources, including state and federal agencies, private industries, and foundations.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter (Optional)

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

  • Statement of Teaching (Optional)

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
2023 Forbes Award: Best Employers for Diversity 2023 Forbes Award: Best Employers for Women

Job location

Davis, CA