USF University of South Florida
Research Associate – GIS & Transit Planning
USF University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, us, 33646
Research Associate – GIS & Transit Planning
Tampa, FL, United States (Hybrid)
Be the First to Apply
Job Identification 42407
Job Category Faculty
Posting Date 01/12/2026, 02:32 PM
Degree Level Master's Degree
Locations 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33620, US (Hybrid)
Job Description Research Associate – GIS & Transit Planning
Department:
Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR)
College/Division:
College of Engineering
Salary Plan:
12-month Faculty
Hiring Salary/Salary Range:
Commensurate based on experience
Organizational Summary:
The mission of the College of Engineering at the University of South Florida is to profoundly shape and impact lives through the steadfast pursuit of world‑class engineering research, education, and innovation.
The college serves more than 3,500 students, offering seven bachelor’s programs, which are ABET‑accredited, as well as nine master’s and seven doctoral degrees. The college is actively engaged in local and global research activities with $46.9 million in research expenditures for the fiscal year 2024-2025. The college has 12 major research centers and institutes and is actively engaged in local and global research activities focused on sustainability, biomedical engineering, computing technology and transportation.
Position Summary:
The Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida seeks a Research Associate specializing in Geographic Information Science (GIS) to support transit planning, service evaluation, and compliance reporting. The position emphasizes integrating demographic and service data—particularly from the U.S. Census—with transit datasets to meet planning and regulatory requirements.
Responsibilities
Perform GIS analysis using ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and related Esri tools.
Transform Census data (ACS, Decennial Census, LEHD) into usable formats for transit planning and service area analysis.
Produce professional maps, dashboards, and interactive products for technical and public use.
Develop automated workflows using Python to streamline recurring data and mapping tasks.
Support preparation of Transit Development Plans and compliance reviews.
Lead geospatial analysis for
Title VI reporting
requirements, including:
Assessing service availability and access across population groups.
Conducting demographic and service distribution analysis required by FTA.
Preparing documentation for agency Title VI submissions.
Contribute to written technical reports, presentations, and stakeholder engagement materials.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Geography, Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related field; or a bachelor’s degree with three years of relevant professional experience.
Demonstrated experience with EsriGISsoftware, spatial analysis, and technical reporting.
Strong communication, analytical, and presentation skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Graduate-level training inGISor Smart City Technology.
Experience with federal and state transit grant programs (e.g., FTA Sections 5307, 5310, 5311, 5339).
Proficiency in Python scripting forGISautomation.
Experience supporting compliance reviews, including Title VI or related reporting requirements in public transit.
Professional experience in public transit, transportation consulting, or government agencies.
Project management or supervisory experience.
Additional Information:
Thispositionis funded by non-recurring funds and is contingent upon continuation of those funds. Annual performance evaluations will ensure alignment with CUTR’s values of respect, integrity, collaboration, and innovation.
About Us Working at USF With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first‑class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF The University of South Florida is a top‑ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota‑Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all‑time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal Notices This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
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Be the First to Apply
Job Identification 42407
Job Category Faculty
Posting Date 01/12/2026, 02:32 PM
Degree Level Master's Degree
Locations 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33620, US (Hybrid)
Job Description Research Associate – GIS & Transit Planning
Department:
Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR)
College/Division:
College of Engineering
Salary Plan:
12-month Faculty
Hiring Salary/Salary Range:
Commensurate based on experience
Organizational Summary:
The mission of the College of Engineering at the University of South Florida is to profoundly shape and impact lives through the steadfast pursuit of world‑class engineering research, education, and innovation.
The college serves more than 3,500 students, offering seven bachelor’s programs, which are ABET‑accredited, as well as nine master’s and seven doctoral degrees. The college is actively engaged in local and global research activities with $46.9 million in research expenditures for the fiscal year 2024-2025. The college has 12 major research centers and institutes and is actively engaged in local and global research activities focused on sustainability, biomedical engineering, computing technology and transportation.
Position Summary:
The Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida seeks a Research Associate specializing in Geographic Information Science (GIS) to support transit planning, service evaluation, and compliance reporting. The position emphasizes integrating demographic and service data—particularly from the U.S. Census—with transit datasets to meet planning and regulatory requirements.
Responsibilities
Perform GIS analysis using ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and related Esri tools.
Transform Census data (ACS, Decennial Census, LEHD) into usable formats for transit planning and service area analysis.
Produce professional maps, dashboards, and interactive products for technical and public use.
Develop automated workflows using Python to streamline recurring data and mapping tasks.
Support preparation of Transit Development Plans and compliance reviews.
Lead geospatial analysis for
Title VI reporting
requirements, including:
Assessing service availability and access across population groups.
Conducting demographic and service distribution analysis required by FTA.
Preparing documentation for agency Title VI submissions.
Contribute to written technical reports, presentations, and stakeholder engagement materials.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Geography, Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Public Administration, or related field; or a bachelor’s degree with three years of relevant professional experience.
Demonstrated experience with EsriGISsoftware, spatial analysis, and technical reporting.
Strong communication, analytical, and presentation skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Graduate-level training inGISor Smart City Technology.
Experience with federal and state transit grant programs (e.g., FTA Sections 5307, 5310, 5311, 5339).
Proficiency in Python scripting forGISautomation.
Experience supporting compliance reviews, including Title VI or related reporting requirements in public transit.
Professional experience in public transit, transportation consulting, or government agencies.
Project management or supervisory experience.
Additional Information:
Thispositionis funded by non-recurring funds and is contingent upon continuation of those funds. Annual performance evaluations will ensure alignment with CUTR’s values of respect, integrity, collaboration, and innovation.
About Us Working at USF With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first‑class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF The University of South Florida is a top‑ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota‑Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all‑time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal Notices This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
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