A complete application consists of:

• An application
• Transcripts – Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• Two educational or professional recommendations

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

If you have questions, send an email to USDOT@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and DOT.

The USDOT is actively reviewing applications and is looking to fill opportunities as soon as qualified applicants are identified.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) seeks a Highway Safety Data Fellow. This paid appointment will be supporting the Safety Data Initiative (SDI), with a primary focus on the transportation safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-occupants in rural areas. The selected applicant will primarily understand, analyze, and visualize DOT safety databases, data sources outside of the Department, and geospatial data. This project offers a unique opportunity to take a more holistic approach to assessing vulnerable roadway user safety in varying types of rural communities than is generally used. Under the guidance of a mentor, the selected participant will integrate data and perform analysis to determine the relationships among demographic/travel behavior variables, crashes, and roadway characteristics, and identify insights that have the potential to help State and local governments responsible for roadway safety hone their investments to address the large portion of traffic fatalities that occur among non-occupants. This fast-paced research opportunity will give you hands-on experience and the opportunity to collaborate with experienced data professionals from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT’s other operating administrations, and offices under the Secretary of Transportation such as the Office of Policy Development, Strategic Planning, and Performance. This is your opportunity to hone the knowledge you have gained during your graduate academic career and collaborate on research that has high visibility to DOT senior leaders.

The initial appointment is for 12 months, but may be renewed upon recommendation of DOT and is contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive an annual stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time in the Washington, DC area. Participants do not become employees of DOT, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: April 15, 2019

The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral level degree in the relevant fields, with coursework in data integration, data analysis, and visualization, or will complete the degree by June 2019. Degree must have been received within three years of the appointment start date.

Preferred Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to transform information and data into visualizations that tell a compelling story
• Demonstrated ability to work with and connect multiple data systems and sources
• Experience analyzing data to identify patterns and trends
• Experience with statistical analysis and econometric modeling
• Experience presenting results to inform next steps
• Experience with data visualization tools and techniques, including the application of modern programming languages and open source software
• Experience with geospatial data visualization is a plus
• Strong written and verbal communications skills
• Ability to work across various offices and work units to obtain information, collaborate on data-related projects, and validate findings and conclusions
• Ability to work with subject matter experts to identify and mitigate data limitations
• A self-starter with the ability to perform work with limited supervision and changing outcome goals
• Knowledge of U.S. transportation systems; basic knowledge of transportation safety issues is a plus
• Experience working with forecast data and risk modeling is a plus

The qualified candidate must have received a master's or doctoral level degree in the relevant fields by June of 2019. Degree must have been received within three years of the appointment start date. The program is open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. The appointment is full time for one year and may be renewed upon recommendation by DOT and contingent on the availability of funds. The participant does not become a U.S. DOT Federal employee.

• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 36 months or anticipated to be received by 6/30/2019 12:00:00 AM.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (16 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (13 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (10 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (5 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (28 )