What are the responsibilities and job description for the Visiting Research Engineers (Junior Transportation Planners)-Urban Transportation Center position at University of Illinois Chicago?
Hiring Department: Urban Transportation Center
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Requisition ID: 1039008
Posting Close Date: February 6, 2026
Salary: The budgeted salary range for the position is $75,000 to $90,000.
About The University Of Illinois Chicago
UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The Urban Transportation Center (UTC) is seeking two visiting Junior Transportation Planners who will conduct research activities including the development of research ideas and proposals with a focus on public policy using qualitative and quantitative approaches. The candidate will bring statistical modeling or qualitative techniques to support policy research at UTC and in leading research projects currently ongoing at UTC. They will assist in pursuing new funding opportunities for building a sustainable research portfolio. This position is expected to help curate new research, write reports and manage data as required by the principal investigator. They will have the ability to lead projects and serve as principal investigators or co-PIs. This position is funded from grant money, and the expectation is that the chosen candidate will have the ability to add to the Center's funding portfolio by creating their own research track while working collaboratively with the Center's staff and faculty.
For fullest consideration, please apply by Monday, January 19th. Applications will continue to be accepted through Friday, February 6th. Please include a cover letter, current resume/CV, and three professional references.
Duties & Responsibilities
The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Requisition ID: 1039008
Posting Close Date: February 6, 2026
Salary: The budgeted salary range for the position is $75,000 to $90,000.
About The University Of Illinois Chicago
UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The Urban Transportation Center (UTC) is seeking two visiting Junior Transportation Planners who will conduct research activities including the development of research ideas and proposals with a focus on public policy using qualitative and quantitative approaches. The candidate will bring statistical modeling or qualitative techniques to support policy research at UTC and in leading research projects currently ongoing at UTC. They will assist in pursuing new funding opportunities for building a sustainable research portfolio. This position is expected to help curate new research, write reports and manage data as required by the principal investigator. They will have the ability to lead projects and serve as principal investigators or co-PIs. This position is funded from grant money, and the expectation is that the chosen candidate will have the ability to add to the Center's funding portfolio by creating their own research track while working collaboratively with the Center's staff and faculty.
For fullest consideration, please apply by Monday, January 19th. Applications will continue to be accepted through Friday, February 6th. Please include a cover letter, current resume/CV, and three professional references.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Assume responsibility for deliverables (reports and presentations).
- Identify cogent areas of transportation policy for research development. Develop research projects from identified policy areas. Aid in the development of proposals for funding projects and secure grant funding consistently.
- Perform research including the design and analysis of data as well as be responsible for data analysis and strengthen the statistical/quantitative modeling portfolio and/or expertise with qualitative research techniques to help with advancing research projects at UTC.
- Mentor and supervise postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate research assistants.
- Create written publications, reports and research products.
- Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned by the Director of UTC.
- Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.
- Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Transportation Engineering, Transportation Planning, or related discipline required.
- Minimum 5 years post PhD experience.
- Ph.D in Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Transportation Engineering, Transportation Planning, or related discipline. Relevant work experience in areas such as public transportation (micro-transit/micro-mobility), equity, and/or advances in transportation engineering such as autonomous (connected vehicles), and clean energy adoption.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and within a group.
The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Salary : $75,000 - $90,000