Postdoctoral Fellow in Sustainable Transportation Research

Postdoctoral Fellow in Sustainable Transportation Research

We are seeking a highly motivated and intellectually curious Postdoctoral scholar to join the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to conduct innovative, policy-relevant research.

The successful candidate will pursue research under the mentorship of ITS-affiliated faculty or research center leaders in one or more of our core focus areas, while also contributing to collaborative projects, mentoring graduate students, and engaging with external research and policy partners. This is a full‑time, salaried position with access to institutional research resources and a vibrant, interdisciplinary research environment.

Candidates are invited to propose research within one or more of the following priority areas, or propose research on sustainable transportation in an area not listed here.

Research in this area focuses on improving the safety, accessibility, and usability of active modes of transportation — including walking, cycling, and micro‑mobility. We welcome candidates with expertise in:

• Quantitative and qualitative safety analysis for pedestrians and cyclists
• Spatial and network modeling of active transportation infrastructure
• Development of planning tools, frameworks, or decision‑support systems for active mobility
• Evaluation of infrastructure interventions and their equity implications

This area examines how emerging vehicle technologies and digital systems are reshaping transportation networks and travel behavior. Relevant research interests include:

• Behavioral responses to autonomous and connected vehicles
• Impacts of AI‑driven transportation services on travel demand and mode choice
• Critical policy analysis of automated vehicle deployment and regulation, including effects on labor
• Digitalization of transportation systems and implications for privacy, access, and equity
• Scenario modeling and futures analysis of technology adoption trajectories

This area addresses the institutional, financial, and social dimensions of public transit systems. We are interested in candidates whose work engages with:

• Public transit funding models and fiscal sustainability
• Governance structures and inter‑jurisdictional coordination for transit agencies
• Ridership trends, fare policy, and service equity
• Comparative analysis of transit systems across different policy and urban contexts
• Community engagement and political economy of transit planning and investment

Research in this area explores pathways toward a low‑carbon transportation system, with attention to technical, environmental, and social dimensions of the energy transition. Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

• Integrated modeling of vehicle electrification scenarios and grid interactions
• Assessment of auto dependency and strategies for reducing vehicle kilometers traveled
• Equity dimensions of the energy transition, including distributional impacts of EV adoption
• Policy instruments for accelerating decarbonization of the transportation sector
• Comparative analysis of energy transition policies across jurisdictions
• Critical minerals and supply chain research through social, environmental or economic development lenses

• PhD in a relevant discipline, including but not limited to: transportation engineering, urban planning, geography, public policy, economics, or a related social or technical field
• Demonstrated record of peer‑reviewed research publication or equivalent scholarly output
• Strong analytical skills, with proficiency in quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

• Experience working with policy stakeholders, government agencies, or community organizations
• Proficiency in relevant analytical tools and software (e.g., GIS,…