Human Factors Scientist (Ph.D.)

About Exponent

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 for our Human Factors Practice in Chicago, IL for a 2026 start. In this role, you will work as part of a team to apply your skills and knowledge of human factors issues such as vehicle operation, human performance, attention, perception, memory, decision making, warnings and safety compliance, consumer product interaction, environmental navigation, and other related applications.

You will be responsible for

• Conducting hands-on inspections and analyzing human performance as it relates to vehicles, roadways, consumer products, machinery, and medical devices to investigate accidents and injuries
• Managing a range of consulting activities that involve human factors in accidents and accident prevention, including limitations of adult and child perceptual, motor, cognitive, and decision-making capabilities
• Preparing written and oral summaries of human factors analyses
• Developing client contacts
• Working on multi-disciplinary projects as well as providing case management, data processing, and other project support
• Conducting research to obtain and review technical data, scientific literature, and standards
• Participating in the design and evaluation of warnings and safety information
• Communicating complex analyses clearly and succinctly to non-technical audiences

You will have the following skills and qualifications

• Ph.D. in Cognitive, Experimental, Developmental Psychology, Human Factors, Cognitive Neuroscience, or a related Psychology discipline
• An undergraduate degree in Psychology or a related discipline is a plus
• Substantial record (publications, presentations) of research in human performance
• Proficiency in experimental design, human subjects testing with adults and/or children, instrumentation, data analysis, and computer programming (e.g. R, Matlab, SAS, SPSS, Labview, etc.) a plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, excellent time management and organizational skills, and strong interpersonal skills
• This is a Chicago-based position. The successful applicant must live (or be willing to relocate) in the Chicago, IL area AND be enthusiastic about regularly working in the office. We provide relocation assistance.
• Presently legally authorized to work in the United States; no immigration sponsorship or processing required

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].

Life @ Exponent

To learn more about life at Exponent and our impact, please visit the following links:

Attracting, inspiring, developing, and rewarding exceptional people with diverse backgrounds and expertise are central to our corporate culture. Our diverse team allows us to provide better value to our clients and enjoy an enriched work environment.

Our firm is committed to offering a variety of programs and resources to support health and well-being. We believe that providing competitive benefits as well as compensation and recognition programs empowers our staff to do work that makes a difference.

Work Environment

At Exponent, we have found that in-person interactions deepen employee engagement and are crucial for development, for realizing the full potential of our talented and diverse teams, and for building a more inclusive workplace where all have a sense of belonging. In our offices, you can expect a supportive culture and a collaborative, dynamic, multi-disciplinary work environment. Our consultants engage in-person in the office unless they are traveling for client work or other business activities.

We value the rich lives our colleagues enjoy outside of work and understand that work/life balance is critical to our employees and their well-being. Consultants have the autonomy to balance their work and personal schedules so you can meet with clients, visit inspection sites, attend conferences, and make time for priorities outside of work, too. It is this flexible, agile work style and working hours that allow our teams to drive innovation and results in their own ways, while meeting the needs of clients. #LI-Onsite

Compensation

Our consultants are rewarded for their technical and business contributions and have an opportunity to plan for future success and career growth. Exponent's total compensation plan is consistent with its expectations of the quality and quantity of work performed and with the professional standards set by Exponent. At the Associate and Senior Associate level, total compensation includes base salary, bi-weekly bonuses for high-intensity efforts, annual bonus and 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary.

The base salary range for this position is dependent on experience and capabilities which will be assessed during the interview process.

Salary Range

USD $105,000.00 - USD $120,000.00 /Yr.

Benefits you will enjoy

Access benefits information on our Life@Exponent page:

Exponent is a proud equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status.

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may email us at [email protected].

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Job Locations

US-IL-Chicago