Job Description
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE
(faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT
(not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants. Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants. This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding. POSITION SPECIFICS
The Rail Center for Research Enhancing Short-line Transportation (Rail CREST) at Penn State Altoona invites applications for a Research Scientist/Post-Doc position. Rail CREST is a federally funded research center supported by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) through the CRISI program. The center focuses on developing affordable technologies, workforce development programs, and safety innovations for the U.S. short-line railroad industry. The Research Scientist will play a key leadership role in supporting the strategic growth and daily operation of Rail CREST, working closely with the Center Director, partner universities, industry partners, and federal stakeholders. The successful candidate will help coordinate research activities across multiple institutions while contributing technically to projects focused on rail infrastructure monitoring, sensing technologies, data analytics, and intelligent transportation systems. Responsibilities Support the strategic planning and daily operation of the Rail CREST Center. Coordinate research activities across multiple partner universities and industry collaborators. Assist with the development of new research proposals and technology transfer initiatives. Lead and contribute to research projects related to rail infrastructure sensing, structural health monitoring, instrumentation systems, data analytics, and artificial intelligence applications in rail transportation. Manage or oversee field deployments, laboratory testing, and instrumentation development. Assist with industry-facing testing, demonstrations, and commercialization activities related to rail technologies. Supervise research staff, graduate students, and project teams. Required Qualifications Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Railroad Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field. Demonstrated research expertise in rail infrastructure, structural health monitoring, sensing systems, instrumentation, or transportation infrastructure analytics. Experience working with data-driven technologies such as sensor networks, machine learning, or AI-enabled infrastructure monitoring. Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to coordinate multi-institutional research projects. Ability to work effectively with industry partners, government agencies, and academic collaborators. Preferred Qualifications Experience with railroad infrastructure systems including track, bridges, or railway operations. Experience deploying or managing field instrumentation systems or sensing networks. Experience working with federally funded research programs (e.g., FRA, USDOT, NSF). Interest in technology transfer and industry collaboration. About Rail CREST Rail CREST is a national research center dedicated to enhancing the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of short-line railroads in the United States. The center focuses on developing affordable sensing technologies, intelligent infrastructure monitoring systems, and workforce training programs that directly support the needs of regional and short-line railroads. The center brings together multiple universities, industry partners, and railroad operators to advance applied research and technology deployment in the rail sector. Appointment This is a Research Scientist/ Post-Doc position, depending on qualifications and experience. The appointment is expected to be 12-month, renewable based on performance and funding availability. Application Please visit Penn State's Human Resources website https://hr.psu.edu/careers, and submit the following documents: Curriculum Vitae Cover letter describing relevant experience and interest in the position Contact information for three professional references BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note:
For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.) CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here. EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission. Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines There's a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world's universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom - it's the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania's sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters - more than half a million strong - driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.
