Postdoctoral Research Associate

Job Title

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Transportation Institute

Department

Center For Railway Research

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Bryan, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

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

• Hybrid work environment/telecommuting

• Flexible work hours

• Family friendly

• High staff retention rates

• Leadership development and wellness programs

• 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. This position has the flexibility of a hybrid remote option with two days in a TTI Texas based office. This can be discussed further during the interview process.

• Your primary duty station will be TTI HQ RELLIS Campus in Bryan, TX located at 1111 Rellis Pkwy, Bryan, TX 77807. You are required to report to this location for the first 30 days of employment. Following this initial period, a flexible work arrangement may be approved at the agency’s discretion.

• 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:

This is the entry level of professional work in an engineering or scientific discipline. Incumbents perform routine scientific or engineering work, evaluating, selecting and applying standardized scientific or engineering procedures and techniques to assignments with clear, specific objectives. Continuation in this position is contingent upon availability of funding derived from research program or specific projects.

Essential Duties:

65%: Research

The postdoctoral research associate is responsible for carrying out research tasks related to rail buckling. Specifically, the  postdoctoral research associate will run models and prepare code related to understanding the interplay of factors of causation.

30%: Writing

Writing manuscript for peer-reviewed publication. Assisting in preparing grant application.

5%: Other Duties

Performs other duties as assigned including support of new researchers to group.

Required Education & Experience:

• PhD

• Must be competent to model rail buckling, rail fracture, and failure of track structure due to moisture sorption using advanced finite element methods. Also, must be competent to advise Ph.D. graduate students on the nonlinear computational modeling of rail structures. Must  hold a Ph.D. with emphasis on nonlinear solid mechanics.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to perform common office functions.

• Ability to frequently communicate with other individuals within the workplace.

• Ability to constantly 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.