CDL Research Assistant

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 individuals with an interest to learn, participate in, and deliver transportation related research and as well as putting that research to practice. VTTI's research to practice includes the highly successful Sharing the Road with Trucks outreach program is dedicated to teaching driver education students, and the community, how to safely share the road with trucks and other large vehicles. VTTI has reached over 85,000 teen and adult drivers in the past 7 years and intends to continue educating the public about the dangers that come from being on the road with commercial motor vehicles. Our institute seeks a CDL holder to help drive our trucks and take our program on the road to states across the country to educate novice drivers and community stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be outgoing, confident, and a dynamic speaker whose message resonates with teens. Additionally, VTTI conducts large truck and bus research projects which 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. 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. The ideal candidate will also have a passion for road safety, and expertise in articulating scientific findings to engage and motivate the public.

Key responsibilities include :

• Sharing the Road Events (50%) Driving one of VTTI's Sharing the Road tractor-trailers and leading and / or assisting both in class and hands-on demonstration components of the program. Creating an inclusive, informative, and engaging learning environment.
• Research Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver (40%) to assist with conducting various research tasks. This may include interaction with participants during data collection
• Program / Research Support (10%) This position will involve up to 25% travel. This could include travel to any of the 50 states. Ideal candidate will reside in Blacksburg, New River Valley, or Roanoke areas. Applicant must meet requirements listed in 49 CFR 391.21 including : - Applicant's biographical information - CDL information, past and present - Commercial driving work history (past 10 years)

Required Qualifications :

Preferred Qualifications :

Overtime Status : Non-Exempt : Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type : Restricted

Salary Information : Starting at $25 / hr, commensurate with experience

Hours per week : Up to 30

Review Date : 9 / 5 / 2025

Additional Information : The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

We are unable to sponsor work visas for this position.

About Virginia Tech : 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 Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, 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.

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Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Natalie Jett at njett@vtti.vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer