Find Jobs

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome and included. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

The University of California, Berkeley, is one of the world's leading institutions of higher education, distinguished by its combination of internationally recognized academic and research excellence; the transformative opportunity it provides to a large and diverse student body; its public mission and commitment to equity and social justice; and its roots in the California experience, animated by such values as innovation, questioning the status quo, and respect for the environment and nature. Since its founding in 1868, Berkeley has fueled a perpetual renaissance, generating unparalleled intellectual, economic and social value in California, the United States and the world.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who represent the full diversity of California and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at Berkeley, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Berkeley, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, our Principles of Community, and our Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. To find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley, visit

ITS develops leading-edge innovations influencing movement of people and goods and advancing sustainability, economic health, and quality of life at the University of California Berkeley.

Founded in 2000, the mission of the Safe Transportation Research and Education Center (SafeTREC) is to inform decision-making and empower communities to improve roadway safety for all. SafeTREC is part of the University of California, Berkeley, affiliated with the School of Public Health and the Institute of Transportation Studies, with additional partnerships with the Department of City and Regional Planning, Public Policy, and Transportation Engineering. Our research is carried out by researchers and faculty at UC Berkeley with assistance from post-doctoral scholars, research staff, and graduate student researchers.

The Traffic Safety Researcher complex analyses across active transportation and safety programs, policies, and initiatives that are being developed at the California Department of Transportation. Collaborates with other Researchers and Principal Investigators; and supervises data analysis duties of lower-level staff and student researchers. May also participate on local, state, or national activities and committees and other public forums.

This is a 2-year, 100% FTE (full time) contract opportunity the the possibility of extension and/or conversion to career.

The First Review Date for this job is: May 30, 2024 - Open Until Filled

• Functions as technical lead for tasks on Caltrans applied research contracts on road safety management and pedestrian/bicyclist mobility projects; compiles monthly project progress reports; ensures work is completed in a timely and efficient manner. Primarily responsible for researching, which may include: (i) developing pedestrian and bicycle road management safety methods and tools which include spot, corridor, and systemic approaches; (ii) reviewing best practice for active transportation count data processing and writing guidance for California; (iii) developing California-specific safety performance functions or crash modification factors; (iv) developing a methodology for a speed-related crash monitoring program for Caltrans; (v) developing a context-sensitive approach to speed-limit-setting; (vi) crash data analysis to support research on the causes and mitigation of fatal and serious injury crashes.
• Implement innovative engineering and data science approaches to analyzing traffic safety research questions. This could include the application of natural language processing, machine learning, causal inference methodologies in traffic safety research applications.
• Prepare reports, presentation, manuscripts, and guidance documents, including a summary of the background literature, visualizations, findings, and contextualization of finds. Prepare progress reports for grants/contracts as needed.
• Serve on professional committees related to traffic safety, road safety management, Safe System Approach, and potentially TRB committees.
• Represents UC Berkeley SafeTREC or Berkeley ITS at meetings and conferences in manners related to subject matter expertise.
• Provide direction and guidance to lower level staff and graduate student researchers (GSR), and undergraduate student research assistants.
• Help train, guide, and mentor project team members. Promote team building and cohesion. Analyze and resolve work problems or assists staff in solving work problems.
• Plans traffic safety studies, including the preparation of proposals, selection of research design and determining sampling procedures.
• Collaborate with other SafeTREC colleagues to identify research needs; work with Principal Investigators to identify funding opportunities and writes grants/research proposals for future work.
• Participate in workshops, training, and other professional development opportunities.
• Other duties, as assigned.

• Thorough knowledge of statistical and traffic safety analytic methods, including the knowledge of how to appropriately utilize multiple datasets together.
• Proficiency with statistical software such as R, Python, or related data analysis software necessary to examine and analyze datasets.
• Proficiency with geospatial analysis software and tools such as those available through ArcGIS, QGIS, or Python.
• Thorough knowledge of traffic safety and System System principles and methods to independently perform professional research tasks and implement project work and deliverables.
• Skills to communicate complex information in a clear and concise manner both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to be self-motivated, work independently or as part of a highly collaborative team. Ability to learn quickly, meet deadlines, readily assess complex challenges and barriers, and recommend effective resolutions.
• Excellent organizational skills. Ability to work on multiple projects and tasks and to independently identify priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and lead and motivate lower-level staff and peers.

• Master's degree in civil engineering, transportation, city planning, public health or related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Knowledge of state and local policymaking and governmental structures as they relate to traffic safety and other relevant topics.
• Knowledge of transportation equity principles and how to apply an equity lens to a wide variety of traffic safety analyses, programs, and policies.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $85,800 to $122,000 yearly. This is a 2-year, 100% FTE contract position eligible for benefits.

This is a 2-year, 100% FTE (full time) contract opportunity the the possibility of extension and/or conversion to career.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.