Pay Grade/Pay Range: $10.00 to $13.00/hour based on qualifications 

Department/Organization: 750401 – Alabama Transportation Institute

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm, 10 to 20 hours per week

Note to Applicants: There is no assistantship with this position. The student will have the opportunity to contribute to other ongoing research projects within the group.

Job Summary: The Student Research Assistant supports the Alabama Transportation Institute in conducting a state-of-the-practice review of driver education requirements across the U.S., with a focus on identifying gaps in Alabama's learner's permit materials and driving test content. The project examines how states address newer or complex roadway features such as roundabouts, diverging diamond interchanges (DDIs), flashing yellow arrows (FYA), and updated signage. Conducts research and compiles driver education requirements and learner's manual content across states. Analyzes and compares content coverage of modern traffic control devices, interchange types, and signage. Identifies gaps relative to Alabama's current materials. Contacts state agencies as needed to gather feedback on what they believe is missing or needs updating in driver training materials. Assists in preparing a summary report and recommendations for relevant state agencies. Supports preparation of a potential journal submission

Required Minimum Qualifications: Must be a current student at The University of Alabama in good academic standing.

Skills and Knowledge: Interest in research and general transportation engineering. Dependable, punctual, and able to work independently. Comfortable learning new tools and supporting a variety of tasks. 

Preferred Qualifications: Undergraduate student in Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Public Policy, or a related field. Familiarity with transportation concepts. Research and organizational skills.

Enrollment Requirements: Applicants must meet enrollment requirements to be eligible for on-campus student employment. Applicants must be enrolled in a UA degree program and meet minimum credit hour requirements during the academic year: Undergraduate Students must be registered for at least 6 credit hours during fall/spring semesters; Graduate Students must be registered for at least 4.5 credit hours during fall/spring semesters; International Students must be registered full-time (Undergraduate = 12 credit hours, Graduate = 9 credit hours) during fall/spring semesters. Enrollment requirements must be maintained for the duration of on-campus employment. Individual hiring departments and programs may also have additional eligibility requirements for employment.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.

The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.