Are you a driven graduate student, post-doctoral researcher, or potential collaborator passionate about shaping the future of urban environments? At worldtransport.net’s transportation lab, we are dedicated to pioneering research that addresses critical challenges in urban mobility and transportation systems. We are actively seeking talented individuals with backgrounds in civil engineering, urban planning, computer science, or related fields to join our dynamic team. If you are enthusiastic about contributing to innovative solutions for building better cities and are comfortable with coding, technical writing, and possess a keen eye for both detail and the broader implications of research, we encourage you to explore the opportunities within our transportation lab. We foster a diverse and inclusive environment, welcoming applications from individuals of all nationalities, races, genders, ages, religions, sexual orientations, and social backgrounds. We are also committed to supporting parents and families within our research community.
Research Assistantships
We offer a limited number of Research Assistant (RA) and Teaching Assistant (TA) positions designed to fully fund your graduate education. These positions, requiring a 20-hour weekly commitment to research or teaching, include a comprehensive tuition scholarship, a monthly stipend, and health insurance coverage, extending to families. For the academic year 2024-2025, our department provides a monthly stipend of $2,039 for MS students, and between $2,373 and $2,589 for PhD students. Looking ahead to Fall 2025, we are excited to recruit up to three new RAs to contribute to the following impactful projects within our transportation lab:
1. International Comparison of High-Speed Rail Ridership (MS Student)
This project offers an MS student the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of high-speed rail and its impact on global transportation. You will conduct a detailed international comparison of high-speed rail ridership, analyzing factors that contribute to the success and challenges of these systems in different countries. This research will provide valuable insights into optimizing high-speed rail networks and their role in sustainable transportation.
2. Empirical Study of Induced Travel Demand (PhD Student)
We are seeking a PhD student to undertake an in-depth empirical study of induced travel demand. This critical research area examines how transportation improvements can lead to increased travel, sometimes offsetting the intended benefits. You will measure the extent to which current travel demand models accurately predict and capture induced travel effects, contributing to more precise and effective transportation planning strategies.
3. Longitudinal Study of Built Environment and Commuting Behavior (PhD Student)
This unique PhD position supports a groundbreaking longitudinal study, funded by the National Science Foundation (Award No. 2425092), investigating the long-term effects of changes in the built environment on individual commuting behavior. This project utilizes restricted data accessed through the Kentucky Research Data Center. Please note: Due to data access restrictions, candidates for this position must have resided in the United States for at least 3 out of the past 5 years and be able to successfully pass a federal background check to achieve Special Sworn Status with the U.S. Census Bureau. This is an exceptional opportunity to work with rich, longitudinal datasets and contribute to significant advancements in understanding urban development and transportation choices.
To be considered for any of these Research Assistant positions within our transportation lab, we invite you to submit your pre-application through our portal. Please include your resume, a statement of interest, and academic transcripts. Kindly indicate “Transportation-Erhardt” as your area of interest. While GRE scores are optional, we recommend including them to strengthen your application. Your statement of interest is crucial; please clearly specify the position you are applying for, detail how your background and skills align with the project requirements, and articulate how graduate school will help you achieve your future career goals.
We will review pre-applications on a rolling basis and will contact promising candidates to schedule Zoom interviews. We anticipate the next round of interviews to take place during the last week of January 2025. Following a successful interview, you will be guided through the formal application process to the UK Graduate School (application portal). While we strive to respond to all inquiries, the high volume of applications may limit our ability to reply to every email individually.
Fellowships
For U.S. citizens, a range of prestigious fellowships are available that can further support your graduate studies in our transportation lab. Fellowships, similar to RA/TA positions, provide full tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, and health insurance. However, they also offer increased autonomy to pursue research topics aligned with your own vision and interests. Furthermore, fellows are well-positioned to engage in transportation and economics research utilizing the resources of the Kentucky Research Data Center. If you are a U.S. citizen interested in exploring fellowship opportunities, please contact us via email to discuss your options. Current University of Kentucky students are also welcome to visit our office for further discussion.
By joining our transportation lab, you will become part of a vibrant research community dedicated to solving real-world transportation challenges and shaping the future of sustainable and equitable urban mobility. We look forward to receiving your application.
