Human Factors Research Associate

SJSU Research Foundation

1d • $75,000 - $95,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of Psychology at San José State University is involved in collaborative research with civil service scientists from the Airspace Operations Laboratory (AOL) in the Human Systems Integration Division at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. We seek a Research Associate to collaborate, provide laboratory and research support, and interact with primary stakeholders to ensure that aviation and air traffic management activities continue to further NASA’s aeronautics research. The research performed in the AOL is a collaborative, team-based activity that relies upon an advanced, distributed human-in-the-loop simulation environment and state-of-the-art facilities to investigate the roles, responsibilities and requirements for human operators and automation in future air traffic management systems. Research participants include aviation industry partners, professional air traffic service providers, pilots, and aviation operators who help to develop and test novel aviation concepts, technologies, or procedures for designing and testing new air traffic operations in the global and United States National Airspace System. Foundational to the ability of the AOL to successfully conduct its research are team members that can build expertise in current and future aviation concepts and can translate that knowledge to the full lifecycle of testing. The ideal candidate for this position thrives in a dynamic environment and can meet challenges head-on to support current and future research. We are seeking someone who is detail oriented, self-motivated, able to work with others, and can propose AOL operational improvements. The AOL, like NASA, prizes a healthy work-life balance. We believe that fostering a comfortable workplace for everyone is important! Our work environment is open, collaborative, and welcoming; we are a diverse and tight-knit team that enjoys off-site team building events and activities. The candidate will contribute to our diversity of skills and incorporate new ideas into our lab environment. The candidate will work with others throughout NASA on supporting forthcoming missions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Psychology.
• Methodical and detail oriented with solid analytical skills and problem-solving ability required.
• Capacity and willingness to adopt new methodologies and skills in line with core responsibilities required.
• Willingness to share knowledge and skills and willingness/ability to help train colleagues required.
• Ability to oversee the functioning and management of the laboratory as a facility and work cross-organization as required.
• Knowledge of laboratory system design, interactions, and requirements.
• Knowledge of facility and system security required.
• Knowledge of scientific experimentation and the various phases therein (experimental design, research methods, data mining & analysis, etc.) desired.
• Knowledge of inter- and intra-process communications desired.
• Work within time constraints and under pressure.
• Ability to work on-site at NASA Ames Research Center.
• Employee must meet security qualifications for entrance to the Center, including an Agency background check.
• Working onsite at Ames is required a minimum of 3 days per week.
• Telework from an approved location is permitted.
• Periodic, regular, and/or occasional contact with employees of the Research Foundation at all levels, San Jose State University faculty and staff, and/or vendors, with the ability to discuss and appropriately respond to inquiries and requests.
• Strength, dexterity, and coordination and/or ability to use a computer keyboard and read a video display terminal on a regular basis.
• Able to move freely throughout facilities as needed.
• Able to lift, relocate, and integrate IT and lab related equipment.
• Ability to listen to verbal requests from customers, clients, and vendors, and to respond appropriately.
• Work with time constraints and under pressure.
• A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the SJSURF.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a NASA aeronautics research laboratory setting.
• Experience with using NASA-developed simulation software.
• Experience with Human-in-the-Loop research.

Responsibilities

• Gain and maintain high proficiency with research technologies used within the lab.
• Perform the necessary preparations for research.
• Ensure the lab is orderly and in working order.
• Participate in conducting studies as part of a research team.
• Assist with facility visits and demonstrations as needed.
• Learn and maintain currency in the fields of Human Factors, aeronautics, and technology.
• Support the management of the laboratory including layout, equipment, furnishings, and accessories, and modify/adapt as necessary.
• Support data collection, management, analysis, and documentation.
• Contribute to publications.
• Support User Interface design activities.
• Travel as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Four company health insurance plans to choose from (employee contributions differ according to plan and level of coverage).
• Employer-paid dental and vision for both employee and eligible dependents.
• Life, AD&D, LTD with supplemental coverage opportunities.
• 14 paid federal & state holidays.
• Retirement Plan: 403 (b) employee contribution plan component and a 403 (b) employer contribution component, which vests immediately.
• Vacation-hour accruals and separate sick-hour accumulations.
• Employee discounts.
• Paid training and professional-development conferences.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level