First question: W-2 employee or self-employed? W-2, no. Self-employed, maybe.
Second question: Is this a temporary assignment that is expected to last and will actually last less than one year? If yes, you can deduct certain travel and lodging expenses. If the assignment will last longer than 1 year, or is indefinite (no fixed end date, regardless of how long it actually lasts), then travel and lodging is not allowed.
See publication 463, chapter 1.
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-463
