How to Apply

Applications are being accepted through the MCareers website at https://careers.umich.edu/.  Please submit the following items in one continuous pdf document.

1. A cover letter describing the group you are interested in working with at UMTRI, why you are interested in the faculty position, the contributions you have made to your publications, any experience developing proposals for research funding, and examples of how you have worked both independently and as a member of a team.  Individuals should also include examples of leadership skills and experience to be considered for senior level faculty positions.
2. An academic CV detailing education, experience, publications by type, and presentations. In this document, provide separate lists for (a) peer-reviewed journal articles, (b) conference papers, and (c) other publications.
3. A 1-page research statement highlighting your research experience and your goals for future research, including the primary topics you would like to pursue. Address how these align with UMTRI's research activities.
4. Names and contact information for three references. If you would prefer to submit them later in the process, please mention this in your cover letter.
5. Copies of 1-3 publications that best demonstrate the quality of your work.

Note:  Review of applications will be conducted on a rolling basis.

Job Summary

We are inviting applicants to apply for a full-time research faculty position at the rank of Assistant Research Scientist, Associate Research Scientist, or Research Scientist.  This non-tenure-track position offers the opportunity to focus on research in the Biosciences Group.  We are seeking individuals who are interested in a long-term commitment to UMTRI and who will contribute to the excellence and diversity of our research efforts. Individuals being considered for senior level faculty positions must be able to demonstrate exceptional leadership skills and a commitment to scientific excellence. The successful candidate would be required to live in or relocate to Southeastern Michigan.

UMTRI is offering a substantial commitment for the first three years in the position. This includes 50% flexible salary support for three years and guaranteed 50% project-funded support in the first year.  Project-funded support after the first year will be obtained in collaboration with UMTRI faculty.

The University of Michigan has established two research faculty tracks: Research Scientist and Research Professor. While this position is currently for the Research Scientist track, it is important to note that there are many possible trajectories for career promotion at UMTRI, including crossing from one track to the other.

Environment

This is a unique opportunity to advance your research career in a supportive, interdisciplinary environment that includes engineers, psychologists, behavioral scientists, and statisticians working on projects funded by government and industry sponsors. Most faculty work primarily with one research group (Behavioral Sciences, Biosciences, CMISST (Data), Engineering Systems, Human Factors) but collaborate across groups as opportunities arise.

Who We Are

The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) is recognized internationally for our multidisciplinary research focusing on transportation safety and mobility (http://umtri.umich.edu). Established in 1965, we maintain the highest standards of excellence as we conduct research that improves peoples' lives through access to safe, equitable and efficient mobility.  UMTRI is a non-degree-granting unit within the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan that includes 21 faculty members, 35 research staff and over 300 students each year engaged in research and other experiential learning opportunities.  Lecturer opportunities may be available for those who are interested, and several UMTRI faculty currently serve as lecturers in the College of Engineering. UMTRI generates between $14M and $18M in research expenditures each year with funding from a wide range of government agencies and industry partners.

In 2025, UMTRI will expand through the integration of MCity, a world-class public-private partnership and test facility, bringing two of the University's key mobility centers under one organizational roof.

To get a glimpse of UMTRI at work as a leader in providing safe, equitable and efficient transportation research innovation, follow the link below:

https://youtu.be/iFokHTAYKfc?si=rw53pAbtGx2wlRdC

The Biosciences Group at UMTRI conducts research on the biomechanics of motor vehicle occupants as it relates to occupant injuries, crash protection, and occupant accommodation. Biosciences researchers use state-of-the-art laboratory testing facilities, computer modeling, and data analysis techniques to conduct a wide range of research. The scope of Biosciences work encompasses these main areas:

• Injury biomechanics, involving lab work with human surrogates to study the response of the human body to dynamic loading.
• Computational human body modeling to assess the effects of crashes and other loading scenarios on human response and injury.
• Engineering anthropometry and vehicle ergonomics, including extensive testing with volunteers to characterize their posture, motion, and body shape while interacting with vehicles, seats, and other systems.
• Crash data analysis to identify the mechanisms involved in motor-vehicle injury and assess the performance of occupant protection systems.

Michigan Engineers are world-class educators, researchers, students and staff who strive to build a people-first future. As part of a top national public research institution, Michigan Engineering's mission is to provide scientific and technological leadership to the people of the world, develop intellectually curious and socially conscious minds, create collaborative solutions to societal problems, and promote an inclusive and innovative community of service for the common good.

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Maternity and Parental Leave

Responsibilities*

• Conduct Scholarly Research: Conduct scholarly research, perform experiments, coordinate activities, and analyze data related to transportation safety and mobility.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team that includes engineers, psychologists, statisticians, behavioral scientists and research staff.
• Project Leadership: Lead and manage projects funded by government, industry, and other sponsors, ensuring timely and successful completion.
• Grant Writing and Funding: Write proposals to secure funding for research projects and contribute to the financial sustainability of the research group.
• Publication and Dissemination: Write reports, publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals, and present results at scientific conferences and meetings.
• Mentorship and Supervision: Mentor and supervise junior researchers, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, undergraduate students, and research staff.
• Leadership (Senior Levels): Demonstrate leadership skills to manage and guide research initiatives effectively, particularly for those applying for Associate Research Scientist or Research Scientist roles.
• Student Engagement:  Student engagement is highly encouraged and may involve supervision of paid student research assistants, participating as mentors in formal U-M student research programs (UROP, SURE, MDP), or other mentoring activities.  UMTRI recently initiated a program where faculty can supplement their salary by offering students experiential learning opportunities, as well as accrue additional backstop funding.
• Professional Committees and Affiliations:  Many faculty actively participate in professional organizations, and assistant level faculty members are asked to serve on one UMTRI administrative committee.

Required Qualifications*

The successful candidate should meet the following qualifications:

• Ph.D. in engineering or other related field. 
• Must have experience and expertise related to research areas relevant to the Biosciences Group, such as biomechanics, ergonomics, anthropometry, finite-element modeling, and vehicle crash safety. 
• Must have experience in qualitative and quantitative analyses.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated leadership experience for consideration at the Associate Research Scientist or Research Scientist (Senior) levels.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

For the Assistant Research Scientist rank, candidates should have the potential for scholarly development, an academic record of peer-reviewed publications in which they are a primary author or co-author and provide evidence of participation in relevant academic or professional meetings.

For the Associate Research Scientist rank, candidates should have a strong local and growing national scholarly reputation on the basis of research productivity and contributions over several years, a record of peer-reviewed publications in which they are a primary author or co-author, and participation in relevant academic or professional meetings.

For the Full Research Scientist rank, candidates should have strong national and international scholarly reputation on the basis of sustained research productivity and contributions, substantial record of peer-reviewed publication in which they are a primary author or co-author, and significant, sustained participation in relevant academic or professional meetings. 

*Some funding sources are subject to export control restrictions. Please note that these projects will require US Citizenship or permanent residency to work with export-controlled material.

Desired Qualifications*

• At the Assistant level, demonstrated potential to develop successful proposals for research funding, from government, foundation, and industry sponsors.
• Interest in providing hands-on experiential learning opportunities for students.
• Research experience in an area of relevance to UMTRI's mission. Prior research at UMTRI has addressed, among other areas: driver behavior and performance, crash data analysis, occupant protection, automated vehicle technologies, driver trust/acceptance of assistance technology, human body modeling, traffic modeling, connected vehicles, transportation policy and legislation, and occupant ergonomics (see http://umtri.umich.edu/). We also welcome expertise in other mobility topics with research growth potential.
• Demonstrated potential to develop successful proposals for research funding, from government, foundation, and industry sponsors.
• A record of both independent and collaborative research based on extramural funding.
• Expertise in sampling design and statistical analyses of survey data, interview and focus group data, and observational data. 

Underfill Statement

This position is posted as Research Scientist (Assistant, Associate, or Full). The rank of the selected candidate will depend upon the candidate's qualifications.

Additional Information

Located in southeast Michigan, Ann Arbor is a vibrant university town, technology and innovation hotspot, and culinary center with an active downtown scene. Frequently voted the best place to live in Michigan, Ann Arbor blends the charm of the U.S. Midwest with multicultural influences from around the globe.  Ann Arbor is approximately a 45-minute drive from Detroit, a 4 hour drive from Chicago, and is in close proximity to the North American Great Lakes, which are beautiful and popular spring, summer, and fall destinations for locals. 

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.