New

Research Project Assistant

Rutgers University

life insurance, employee discount

United States, New Jersey, New Brunswick

Jun 16, 2026

Position Details

Position Information

Recruitment/Posting Title	Research Project Assistant
Job Category	URA-AFT Administrative
Department	Advanced Infrastructure Center
Overview	Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the State of New Jersey's preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. As one of the largest employers in the State of New Jersey, Rutgers University is committed not only to the students and the State that we serve, but also to the faculty and staff who work on our campuses. For two consecutive years, Rutgers is ranked on Forbes' list of America's Best Large Employers. Rutgers holds #64 of 500 employers and is the #1 New Jersey employer on the publication's 2023 list. Rutgers' commitment to its employees includes maintaining and fostering a safe, diverse, and respectful workplace environment, creating employment opportunities for our nation's military veterans, and ensuring accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities.
Posting Summary	Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Research Project Assistant for the Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation ( CAIT) within the School of Engineering. Among the key duties of the position are the following: Performs professional level work and research support activities and serves as a liaison within and outside unit. Contributes to ongoing research projects in civil engineering and infrastructure resiliency applications within the unit. Works with researchers across numerous scientific disciplines including engineering, environmental, and marine sciences with a focus on infrastructure system performance, design, and management. Works with a broad suite of stakeholders to assist in several ongoing projects. Performs a range of responsibilities including multiple types of data collection, data analysis and synthesis, project management and coordination, documentation, and geotechnical and environmental laboratory testing. Identifies and coordinates existing research activities within different programs for maximum leveraging of resources and attraction of research.
FLSA	Nonexempt
Grade	03
Salary Details	$52,602.48 - $62,000.00
Minimum Salary	52602.480
Mid Range Salary	64788.980
Maximum Salary	76975.480
Offer Information	The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.
Benefits	Rutgers provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The specific benefits vary based on the position and may include: Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable) Life insurance coverage Employee discount programs
Position Status	Full Time
Working Hours	37.5
Standard Hours	37.50
Daily Work Shift	Day
Work Arrangement	Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 or the applicable provisions of relevant collective negotiations agreements, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, subject to change or discontinuation, and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System.
Union Description	URA-AFT Administrative
Payroll Designation	PeopleSoft
Seniority Unit
Terms of Appointment	Staff - 12 month
Position Pension Eligibility	ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	Bachelor's Degree in engineering or a related earth science or an equivalent combination of education and/or relevant experience that demonstrates comprehensive knowledge and understanding of earth science and civil engineering, resiliency, data collection, laboratory testing, and other related activities.
Certifications/Licenses	A valid driver's license would be required for this position.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities	Strong skills in planning and organizing, information integration, decision-making, and attaining results semi-independently. Extremely proficient in writing, editing and overall communications skills required. The individual will be expected to hold very high standards in how information is developed and presented. Ability to manage, document, and organize multiple simultaneous projects. Ability to think broadly and conceptually and formulate creative, sophisticated solutions to complex problems, prioritize workload, and work independently with general supervision. Ability to be detail oriented, follow up, and keep task originators informed on task progress throughout process until completion. Ability to continuously notify supervisor of progress and workload to ensure that deliverables are on schedule.
Preferred Qualifications	Experience and comfortability driving box trucks or equivalent. Experience and comfortability with geotechnical field (e.g., dynamic penetration testing or Shelby tube extraction), and laboratory (unconfined compression strength, direct simple shear) testing methods and ability to perform them independently. Experience performing large-scale field data collection programs across a range of different physical environments including marine, rural, and urban. Preference is given to candidates who are comfortable using a range of power tools and data collection devices to independently design, construct, and test equipment necessary to advance research projects.
Equipment Utilized	Expertise with MS Office programs, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and data processing tools such as Python/Matlab. Experience with geotechnical field equipment including but not limited to dynamic cone penetrometers and Shelby tube sampling. Experience with geotechnical laboratory testing including but not limited to direct simple shear, pH testing, unconfined compression strength, Atterberg limits, and particle size distribution.
Physical Demands and Work Environment	Ability to perform field data collection which may include walking long distances and/or carrying up 50 lbs. of equipment.
Special Conditions	Frequently be required to work offsite. Travel to other agencies, working directly with the sponsor to help manage and advance projects tasks is possible. This position requires the availability to work nights or weekends on occasion as required for data collection on projects Multiple vacancies. Safe Driving Record.

Posting Details

Posting Number	26ST1250
Posting Open Date	06/16/2026
Special Instructions to Applicants
Regional Campus	Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Home Location Campus	Busch (RU-New Brunswick)
City	Piscataway
State	NJ
Location Details

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement