Postdoctoral Scholar in Transportation Engineering with a Focus on Active Transportation Safety & Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Position Overview
Organization: School of Engineering and Technology
Title: Postdoctoral Scholar in Transportation Engineering with a Focus on Active Transportation Safety & Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Position Details
Position Description
Position Description
The School of Engineering & Technology (SET) at the University of Washington Tacoma (UWT) invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar in transportation engineering with a focus on active transportation safety and artificial intelligence (AI). This interdisciplinary role emphasizes developing and deploying AI tools—especially vision-based and multi-sensor analytics—to improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and micromobility users. The scholar will play a central role in USDOT-funded, multi-year R-SEAT (Rural Safe Efficient Advanced Transportation) Center research, collaborating with consortium universities and local DOT partners on pilot projects, data fusion efforts, and translational research that leads to publications and competitive external proposals (e.g., National Science Foundation (NSF)).
Key Responsibilities
· Lead and conduct original research at the intersection of active transportation safety and AI (e.g., near-miss detection, predictive crash risk, multimodal exposure estimation).
· Design, implement, and validate AI pipelines (computer vision, tracking, spatio-temporal modeling, edge learning) using field data (traffic cameras, micromobility telemetry, connected vehicle/V2X, crash records, GIS).
· Manage and coordinate pilot deployments with city/state DOTs, micromobility providers, or vendor partners; oversee data sharing agreements, ethics/privacy compliance, and on-site testing.
· Produce high-quality peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and policy briefs; present findings at conferences and to stakeholders.
· Contribute to grant development and lead components of competitive proposals (NSF, USDOT, state/foundation).
· Supervise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students on research activities; assist in preparing project deliverables and consortium coordination.
· Teach elective engineering courses.
This is a full-time position. Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Postdoctoral scholar appointments are initially for 12 months, with opportunities to renew depending on funding availability and the scholar’s performance. Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.
The base salary range for this position will be $5,750/month, commensurate with experience and qualifications or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination. Other compensation associated with this position may include travel to national or international conferences, computing equipment, and fees associated with manuscript publications, if applicable. A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/FINAL-Postdoctoral-Scholar-Fellows.pdf.
Location: University of Washington Tacoma. This position will have the option for a hybrid schedule.
International Applicants: Visa sponsorship will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Relocation costs are not included.
Qualifications
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Minimum Qualifications:
· Ph.D. in Transportation Engineering or a closely related field (systems engineering, civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, data science, etc.).
· Demonstrated research experience (≥1 year) in transportation engineering or related areas.
· Strong background in machine learning/AI and hands-on experience with large, heterogeneous datasets.
· Practical experience with computer vision and/or spatio-temporal modeling (object detection, multi-object tracking, time-series prediction, anomaly detection).
· Proficiency in programming (Python required; R/Julia or others a plus) and experience with data engineering tools (SQL, cloud platforms, Docker).
· Experience with GIS/spatial analysis and traffic simulation or microsimulation tools.
· Evidence of scholarly productivity (peer-reviewed manuscripts) and experience preparing research proposals.
· Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to work both independently and in interdisciplinary teams.
Preferred Qualifications:
· Direct experience with traffic camera video analytics, LiDAR, V2X/connected vehicle data, or micromobility (scooter/bike) telemetry.
· Experience deploying edge AI, federated learning, or privacy-preserving analytics.
· Background in roadway safety analysis (conflict/near-miss metrics, exposure estimation, crash modification factors).
· Proven success in managing pilot projects and working with transportation agencies (city DOTs, state DOTs) or private vendors.
· Familiarity with reproducible research practices, CI/CD for ML, and cloud computing (AWS/GCP/Azure).
· Experience or interest in community-engaged research and translating research into policy/practice.
· Teaching experience or interest in supervising student projects.
What We Offer
· Opportunity to lead high-impact, translational research that combines cutting-edge AI with real-world pilot deployments.
· Direct engagement with the R-SEAT consortium and partner agencies—excellent pathway to produce pilot results, publications, and competitive external proposals (including NSF).
· Access to interdisciplinary collaborators across engineering, computer science, and urban planning at UWT and partner institutions.
· Support for professional development, conference travel, and dissemination.
Instructions
All applications should be submitted through Interfolio. https://apply.interfolio.com/180524
The application package should include the following:
1. Letter of application addressing how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications and describing your research interests and plans (include interest/experience in pilot deployment and grant development).
2. Curriculum vitae (including full publication list).
3. Unofficial transcripts (all in one document).
4. Names and contact information for three references.
5. One to three representative publications (PDFs).
Applicants with inquiries regarding this position should contact akitali@uw.edu.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.
Benefits Information
A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.
Commitment to Diversity
The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).
Privacy Notice
Review the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Demographic Data of Job Applicants and University Personnel to learn how your demographic data are protected, when the data may be used, and your rights.
Disability Services
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.
COVID-19 Information
https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/node/5067
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all.
As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.
Benefits Information
A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits
Privacy Notice
Review the University of Washington Privacy Notice for Demographic Data of Job Applicants and University Personnel to learn how your demographic data are protected, when the data may be used, and your rights.
Disability Services
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.