Human Factors Scientist (Ph.D.)

Exponent•Philadelphia, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Exponent is seeking a Human Factors Scientist for its Human Factors Practice in Philadelphia, PA, with a Summer 2026 start date. This role involves working as part of a team to analyze human performance in various scenarios related to consumer products, occupational work, and automobiles. The focus will be on analyzing past accidents and injuries, as well as managing safety risks to prevent future incidents. The position requires working on multi-disciplinary projects, providing case management, data processing, and project support. Responsibilities include conducting research, reviewing technical data, scientific literature, and standards, and communicating complex analyses to non-technical audiences. The role also involves managing consulting activities such as usability testing, study and survey design, human factors in accidents and their prevention, and understanding limitations of human perceptual, cognitive, and response capabilities. Project management, including budgets, deadlines, and team support, is also a key aspect. Additionally, the role involves participating in the design and evaluation of warnings and safety information, and developing client contacts.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Developmental, Experimental, Industrial, or Cognitive Psychology, or a related psychology discipline, Neuroscience, or Vision Science
Currently based in or are willing to relocate to the Philadelphia area
Able and willing to start no earlier than Summer 2026
Breadth of knowledge of literature from psychology and related disciplines along with the ability to creatively adapt and apply literature, computational models, and concepts from these fields to specific and novel problems
Strong record demonstrating your ability to design behavioral studies using a variety of human subjects and database research methods (e.g., survey, experimental, quasi-experimental, case study)
Experience leading multiple scientific studies from start (i.e., design) to finish (i.e., communicating your results)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as strong interpersonal skills
Assertive, self-starter, and able to work with accuracy and attention to detail under pressure and/or deadlines
Proficiency in analytical, statistical, and computer programming (specifically Excel, SPSS, MATLAB, Python, or R)
Presently legally authorized to work in the United States; no immigration sponsorship or processing required

Responsibilities

Working on multi-disciplinary projects, providing case management, data processing, and other project support
Conducting research to obtain and review technical data, scientific literature, and standards
Communicating complex analyses clearly and succinctly to a non-technical audience
Managing a range of consulting activities that involve usability testing, study and survey design, human factors in accidents and their prevention, including limitations of human perceptual, cognitive, and response capabilities
Providing project management for multiple projects at a given time, including managing budgets and deadlines, managing project teams, and performing support tasks for team members
Participating in the design and evaluation of warnings and safety information
Developing client contacts