Human Factors Scientist, User Experience Research (Ph.D.)

Exponent•Phoenix, AZ

11h•Onsite

About The Position

Exponent is the only premium engineering and scientific consulting firm with the depth and breadth of expertise to solve our clients’ most profoundly unique, unprecedented, and urgent challenges. Our vision is to engage multidisciplinary teams of science, engineering, and regulatory experts to empower clients with solutions that create a safer, healthier, more sustainable world. For over five decades, we've connected the lessons of past failures with tomorrow's solutions to advise clients as they innovate technologically complex products and processes, ensure the safety and health of their users, and address the challenges of sustainability. Join our team of experts with degrees from top programs at over 500 universities and extensive experience spanning a variety of industries. At Exponent, you’ll contribute to the diverse pool of ideas, talents, backgrounds, and experiences that drives our collaborative teamwork and breakthrough insights. Plus, we help you grow your career through mentoring, sponsorship, and a culture of learning. Thanks for your interest in joining our team! Key statistics: 950+ Consultants 640+ Ph.D.s 90+ Disciplines 30+ Offices globally Our Opportunity We are seeking a Human Factors Scientist to join our Human Factors Practice in Phoenix, AZ starting in 2026. In this role, you will work as part of a team to analyze human performance related to a wide variety of scenarios involving consumer products, medical devices, and occupational activities. Activities in these contexts will focus on a combination of analyzing accidents and injuries that have occurred in the past, managing safety risk to help prevent such incidents in the future, and performing usability evaluations to inform design and product strategy. You will be responsible for Managing a broad range of human factors and UX consulting activities, including litigation support, usability testing, formative and summative study design, survey development, and evaluation of how users interact with consumer and AI-integrated products, medical devices, digital interfaces, and child-focused products This includes assessing human perceptual, cognitive, and motor capabilities and their implications for safety and use-related risk Supporting safety-focused litigation and investigations by analyzing human factors contributors to incidents, evaluating the design and effectiveness of warnings and safety information, and assessing product instructions, labeling, and patterns of use and misuse Working on multidisciplinary teams to provide case management, data processing, structured analysis, and cross-functional project support across engineering, UX, and scientific domains Conducting research to obtain, analyze, and synthesize technical data, scientific literature, regulatory guidance, and industry standards relevant to usability, human behavior, and product safety Providing project management for multiple concurrent engagements, including scoping tasks, managing budgets and timelines, coordinating project teams, and supporting colleagues across project phases Participating in the design, analysis, and evaluation of warnings, instructions, and safety communications, including their usability, comprehensibility, placement, and effectiveness in reducing risk Communicating complex human factors and UX analyses clearly to non-technical audiences, including clients, attorneys, engineering teams, and stakeholders Contributing to business development by building and maintaining client relationships

Requirements

Ph.D. in Developmental, Experimental, Industrial/Organizational, or Cognitive Psychology, or a related psychology discipline, Human Factors, Neuroscience, or Vision Science
Currently based in, or willing to relocate to, the Phoenix, Arizona area as this role requires regular on-site work
Willingness to travel occasionally for research sessions, client meetings, or on-site evaluations
Demonstrated experience designing and conducting behavioral research using both controlled and real-world methods, including experiments, surveys, case studies, behavioral observation, and field-based or in-situ research
Proficiency in qualitative research methods and analyses, including study design, participant interviewing or observation, coding, and thematic analysis
Experience leading multiple scientific studies from initial design through data collection, analysis, and clear communication of results
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex scientific findings for non-technical audiences
Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative working style; able to take initiative and work independently while contributing constructively to team efforts
Proven ability to maintain accuracy and effectiveness under pressure and tight deadlines
Proficiency in statistical analysis and programming, preferably with experience in SPSS, MATLAB, Python, or R

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting research in regulated, safety-critical, or sensitive domains (e.g., medical devices, healthcare, consumer safety, child-focused products) is welcome
Experience conducting human subjects research with diverse or specialized populations (e.g., children, caregivers, patients, healthcare providers) is a strong plus
This role may occasionally require flexible scheduling (e.g., early mornings, evenings, or weekends) depending on the consulting project
Applicants are encouraged to submit a CV (Curriculum Vitae) with publications (feel free to include publications that are in review or pending) [not restricted to 1 page].

Responsibilities

Managing a broad range of human factors and UX consulting activities, including litigation support, usability testing, formative and summative study design, survey development, and evaluation of how users interact with consumer and AI-integrated products, medical devices, digital interfaces, and child-focused products
This includes assessing human perceptual, cognitive, and motor capabilities and their implications for safety and use-related risk
Supporting safety-focused litigation and investigations by analyzing human factors contributors to incidents, evaluating the design and effectiveness of warnings and safety information, and assessing product instructions, labeling, and patterns of use and misuse
Working on multidisciplinary teams to provide case management, data processing, structured analysis, and cross-functional project support across engineering, UX, and scientific domains
Conducting research to obtain, analyze, and synthesize technical data, scientific literature, regulatory guidance, and industry standards relevant to usability, human behavior, and product safety
Providing project management for multiple concurrent engagements, including scoping tasks, managing budgets and timelines, coordinating project teams, and supporting colleagues across project phases
Participating in the design, analysis, and evaluation of warnings, instructions, and safety communications, including their usability, comprehensibility, placement, and effectiveness in reducing risk
Communicating complex human factors and UX analyses clearly to non-technical audiences, including clients, attorneys, engineering teams, and stakeholders
Contributing to business development by building and maintaining client relationships

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