Senior Human Factors Researchers

Our medical device human factors (HF) practice makes up the largest single portion of our business. We conduct exploratory research to better understand use-related needs and inform the design of healthcare-related products and medical devices. We also conduct human factors validation studies to ensure those products and devices can be used safely and effectively. We work with a wide variety of products, including drug delivery devices, diagnostics, surgical tools and systems, packaging and labeling, and the digital assets and technology that augment healthcare in today’s world. When you work in this space, you not only get the gratification of informing useful and usable product design – you get the added benefit of knowing that the products you help bring to market make a real difference in the lives of patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.

Our senior human factors researchers are responsible for various aspects of a research engagement. They may lead scoping and proposal efforts, working directly with clients to recommend appropriate methods to achieve research objectives, and propose timelines and budgets in-line with those methods. They manage projects and project teams to ensure adherence to those budgets and timelines, as well as achievement of client objectives. They may participate in networking events, lead internal initiatives, and direct and mentor other researchers.

We provide ongoing, robust, certified training that fosters an environment of professional growth. This training starts from week 1! You hit the ground running with exposure to client work to understand our processes and approach with constant support from your colleagues! We are passionate about our collaborative and team-centered culture.

We know you will love working with us because WE love working with us! Based on employee input, our workplace culture was recognized externally by Inc. Magazine in 2020 and Crain’s Chicago Business in 2020, 2021, and 2022!

Skills

Qualified candidates will be competent in some or all of the following areas, or will be committed to developing competence depending on experience level:

• Development of human factors plans
• Conducting task analyses
• Conducting use-based risk analyses
• Contextual inquiry
• Ethnography
• Development of research protocols
• Formative usability testing
• Human factors validation
• Root cause analysis
• Formative research analysis and reporting
• Summative research analysis and reporting

We are a hybrid workplace. This is a full-time position flexibly based out of our Downers Grove or Chicago Loop location. Our ideal candidate lives in or is willing to relocate to the Chicagoland area.

Our research takes us all over the country, and sometimes all over the world! Therefore, you must be willing to travel, up to 40%, to conduct in-person research.

This position requires the team member to hold a valid driver’s license. Driving may be required for in-person research. This requirement allows our resourcing team to remain flexible when assigning team members to projects.

Experience

Multiple senior researcher positions are available in this area for qualified candidates depending on relevant experience.

Our senior human factors researchers focus primarily on the application of HF and usability engineering to the development of medical devices. Experience planning, managing, and executing research according to IEC 62366-1, IEC/TR 62366-2, ANSI/AAMI HE75, and FDA guidance on Applying Human Factors and Usability Engineering to Medical Devices is required.

Master’s degree in behavioral science preferred with an emphasis on research or comparable experience as a human factors practitioner, biomedical engineer, cognitive engineer, industrial designer, or something similar.

Human Factors Researcher (6-10 years): Our Senior (UX/HF) researchers have 6-10 years’ experience conducting behavioral research, and we look for at least 3-5 years of that experience to come from industry as opposed to academia alone. Whether in a consulting capacity or for an in-house team, we find that experience planning, managing, and executing research in an industry setting is necessary to meet the expectations we have of our senior researchers.

Currently we have both full-time and short-term contracts available! Many times, if contractors and our team decide there is a mutual fit, this becomes a full-time offer, so we are always open to that possibility!

Salary:

$80,000-150,000*

*Bold Insight has a very flat organizational structure. This is purposeful and fosters a non-competitive, supportive environment. With only three levels (Researcher, Senior Researcher, Director/Partner), the salary ranges are wide and based on education, years of related experience, and geographical location. Salary treatments and promotions are handled on an individual basis and timeline. Our goal is to ensure your professional growth and development are designed around you and evolve as your career goals evolve.

Benefits and perks