Job Description

Posting number: 26-20357

Department: MBTA - Office Perf Mgmt & Innov

Division: 502-OPMI

Job classification: Senior Travel Behavior Analytics Co-Op (Office of Performance Management and Innovation)

Posting type: Internship / Co-Op

Categories: Engineering, IT and Computers, Planning and Development, Management, Project Management, Organizational Development, Internship, Office and Administrative Support, Career Exploration

Summary

The Office of Performance Management (OPMI) operates as the MBTA / MassDOT’s internal research lab. We answer research questions developed both internally and externally to help us better understand how people interact with the transportation networks. Some examples of OPMI’s current research work include analyses of the impact of diversions on rider satisfaction and mode choice, late night transit ridership, and rideshare competitiveness with public transit. OPMI develops and tracks performance metrics for MassDOT and the MBTA and implements strategic initiatives with a focus on data analysis to improve rider experience. Some examples of OPMI’s work can be seen on the MBTA’s Performance Dashboards, Data Blog, and Open Data Portal.

We are an office devoted to problem-solving and creative thinking, and there are many opportunities for co-ops to participate in this exciting work. Co-ops can also participate in training, fieldwork, tours, conferences, and other learning opportunities as available. By the end of their co-op, they will have gained experience managing multiple concurrent projects, collaborating with multiple departments across the MBTA and MassDOT, and working with many datasets to answer a variety of real-world questions.

The Travel Behavior Analytics Co-Op is a full-time, six-month position (July – December). Co-ops are expected to work 40 hours per week from 9:00am to 5:00pm. OPMI is a hybrid office, meaning co-ops will need to work in-office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but can work remotely on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The ideal candidate is someone with advanced experience in data analysis with Python, R, or SQL, above average experience and interest in survey and research design, excellent attention to detail, and intermediate to advanced writing skills.

The Travel Behavior Analytics Co-Op will support transportation research projects, particularly those focused on conducting surveys, improving survey methodologies to better understand public transit riders, and analyzing transportation network company (TNC, or rideshare) data to inform policy decisions. Projects will be matched to co-ops based on skills and interest and will vary based on the department’s needs in Summer / Fall 2026. There is also flexibility to accommodate self-directed research projects that relate to multimodal travel behavior. This research may be used to fulfill a thesis or capstone project requirement for your degree. This position provides comprehensive real-world experience with longitudinal survey research projects and is a good opportunity to apply and improve skills from research design to data processing and statistical analysis.

The office is set up “hotel” style, where staff members have no assigned desk, and book space when they expect to work in-office. Office arrangements are subject to change based on public health guidance, and reasonable accommodations can be made. OPMI will provide a laptop that can be taken home for work. Our office is located at 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116 (downtown) and is accessible via transit and to people with disabilities.

Examples of duties

• Think creatively about open-ended research questions.
• Conduct exploratory analyses on survey and ridership data to answer agency- and self-generated research questions related to rider behavior.
• Query, analyze, and visualize big data, including transportation network company (TNC) related datasets, to help answer agency research questions.
• Perform or assist with spatial and statistical analysis tasks in Python, R, and / or SQL, including:
• Cleaning, analyzing, and reporting on survey data.
• Aggregating and analyzing ridership data to inform survey sampling and weighting efforts.
• Retrieving and organizing spatial, demographic, and land use data for reporting, analysis, and presentation purposes.
• Ad hoc cleaning, merging, analysis, and visualization of MBTA / MassDOT’s data using a combination of ArcGIS / SQL / Excel / R / Python.
• Assist with the preparation of dashboards, reports, presentations, and other documents. Present results to a variety of internal MBTA / MassDOT audiences.
• Act as a data consultant for ad hoc internal and external request for data collection and analysis efforts.
• Participate in team / staff meetings, organizational events, fieldwork, project teams, or other duties as assigned.
• Provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experience.
• Additional responsibilities may focus on one or more specific departments or locations (refer to department-specific addendums or hiring manager guidance).
• Perform all other duties and projects assigned.
• The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and complexity of the work being performed by staff assigned to this job and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position. The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Qualifications

• Enrolled, for entire duration of employment, in the graduate / master’s degree program of an accredited college / university in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Urban Planning, Transportation, Geography, Economics, Public Policy, Political Science, or related field(s).
• Above average ability to work with open-ended questions and managing ambiguity.
• Intermediate proficiency in at least one programming language (such as R or Python) and willingness to pick up new languages.
• Above average proficiency with standard office software (e.g. Microsoft office) or relevant technical tools.
• Above average ability to communicate effectively in English, both in written and oral forms.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and detail oriented.
• Demonstrated interest in public transportation, urban planning, engineering, public policy, or public service.
• Proven ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within diverse, fast-paced environments.
• Ability to commute independently to assigned work locations within the Greater Boston metro area, as required by the role.
• Authorized to work in the United States (international students in CPT, STEM, or OPT programs through a university are eligible to apply). The MBTA does not provide visa sponsorship, such as H1-B status.

In addition to your application, a resume and cover letter are required.

Note: Technical skills can be taught. We are happy to hire co-ops with technical backgrounds, but we are primarily searching for people interested in the types of research questions we answer and willing to learn the requisite technical skills to answer those questions. Lack of knowledge in programming languages or other skills listed above should not deter applicants, provided they are willing to learn.

• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and complexity of the work being performed by staff assigned to this job and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required.

Supplemental information

• Curiosity about transportation, mobility issues, systems thinking, and public service.
• Interest in the “so what?” and policy implications of data analysis.
• Demonstrated listening skills and collaborative attitude.
• Ability to break down broad problems into answerable research questions.
• Experience conducting surveys and analyzing survey data.
• Interest in learning more about questionnaire design and survey methodologies.
• Previous work on qualitative or quantitative research projects.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite.
• Willingness to learn new technologies and new ways of thinking, and an interest in developing further skills with:
• Statistical programming language(s) (e.g., R, Python)
• Survey design and administration
• SQL and relational databases
• GIS and spatial analysis
• Big data analysis platforms (e.g., Snowflake)