Research Specialist - Human Factors - Personal Protective Equipment

3M•Maplewood, MN

4d•$145,676 - $178,049•Onsite

About The Position

The Research Specialist - Human Factors Research applies human factors, ergonomics, biomechanics, perception science, and user research to support development and commercialization of personal protective equipment (PPE). The role partners with product development, design, laboratory, regulatory, and business teams to translate user needs and human-performance evidence into product requirements, design decisions, validation methods, and substantiated claims. The position is based on site at 3M Center in Maplewood, Minnesota, at least four days per week, and may include up to 20% domestic or international travel. Relocation may be authorized. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without employment-visa sponsorship.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree, completed and verified before starting, in Human Factors Engineering, Ergonomics, Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Psychology, Industrial Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Design Research, or User Experience Research.
Three years of experience conducting human-subjects research in an industrial, academic, healthcare, consumer product, medical device, private, public, government, or military environment.
Legally authorized to work in the country of employment without sponsorship for employment-visa status.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Human Factors Engineering, Ergonomics, Kinesiology, Psychology, Biomechanics, Cognitive Science, Industrial Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline.
Experience designing, executing, and analyzing usability, ergonomics, comfort, fit, or human-performance studies.
Experience applying statistics to research data and presenting technical conclusions to cross-functional stakeholders.
Experience supporting development of PPE, safety products, medical devices, industrial equipment, or consumer products.
Expertise in human factors engineering, ergonomics, biomechanics, human performance, perception science, cognitive workload, comfort and fit, or occupational research.
Experience with formative and summative usability research, use-related risk assessment, and usability validation.
Experience collecting or analyzing physiological and biomechanical data, such as EMG, cardiorespiratory measures, movement or motion-capture data, pressure mapping, or wearable-sensor data.
Proficiency with analytical tools such as Python, MATLAB, Minitab, R, JMP, or equivalent, including data visualization.
Experience leading cross-functional research programs from concept through commercialization and contributing to patents, publications, standards, or scientific conferences.
Strong experimental design, scientific writing, and technical communication skills.
Customer-focused approach and ability to convert human insights into product opportunities.
Independent problem-solving ability combined with effective multidisciplinary collaboration.
Project leadership, stakeholder management, curiosity, and commitment to worker safety.

Responsibilities

Design and execute human-factors, usability, comfort, fit, and performance studies for respiratory, eye, hearing, head, fall-protection, and other safety products.
Develop research plans, protocols, and experimental methods for laboratory and field research with end users.
Conduct formative and summative usability studies and translate findings into actionable product and design requirements.
Develop and validate methods supporting product performance, ergonomics, comfort, fit, and user-acceptance claims.
Collect and analyze qualitative, quantitative, biomechanical, physiological, perceptual, and behavioral data.
Apply statistical analysis and data visualization to communicate insights, risks, and recommendations to technical and business stakeholders.
Collaborate with materials scientists, engineers, industrial designers, data scientists, software developers, regulatory specialists, customers, and safety professionals.
Contribute to intellectual property, publications, standards activities, technical reports, and technology roadmaps.
Comply with corporate policies, procedures, and security standards while performing assigned duties.
Contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.