Lead Research Associate-Human Factors

Job Description

Westat is an employee-owned corporation providing research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. Westat's research, technical, and administrative staff of more than 2,000 is located at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, near Washington, DC.

Westat is committed to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging and equity for all. We believe that our greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences of our employees.

Job Summary:

Westat's Transportation & Safety Research Center is seeking a Lead Research Associate to be a subject matter expert and work with a multidisciplinary team of experienced researchers who are advancing the current state of transportation safety knowledge and supporting our clients' mission of maintaining safer roads and saving lives.

The Center's team works collaboratively with Westat's clients to implement innovative research designs that explore a variety of transportation and safety challenges related to automation, driver distraction, situational awareness, vulnerable road users, equity and accessibility, vehicle technology and safety implications, pedestrian safety, and travel behavior. Westat research studies employ a wide range of novel and inventive approaches including laboratory studies, autonomous and instrumented vehicles, driving simulators, observational studies, test track and on-road studies, multi-modal surveys, and focus groups.

In this role, you will collaborate with other team members to develop and execute a strategic plan for growth in human factors and transportation safety. You will provide insight and guidance at all stages of research study design, data collection and management, analysis, and report writing. Clients include federal, state, and local governments, as well as private entities, nonprofit foundations, and vehicle manufacturers.

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, requiring 1-2 days per week on-site at Westat's Corporate Headquarters in Maryland.

Job Responsibilities:

• Collaborating with other team members to develop winning proposals.

• Conceptualizing, designing, and conducting research studies in driving simulator, laboratory, test track, observational survey, and on-road settings.

• Developing and executing focus groups, interviews, surveys, and field studies.

• Designing data collection and analysis plans and guiding the creation of data collection instruments and protocols.

• Conducting reviews of research literature and synthesizing findings.

• Developing data reduction and analysis methods, including video coding, quality control reviews, data transformation, and analysis interpretation.

• Writing technical reports for client publication, articles for peer-reviewed journals, and presentation at professional conferences.

Basic Qualifications:

• A doctoral degree in human factors, experimental psychology, biomechanical engineering or social science related field or a master's degree in the same field with 2-4 years' relevant experience.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience with human factors research in transportation, safety, or related fields.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with federal and/or private clients in transportation, safety and/or human factors.

• Experience collaborating on multiple, simultaneous research efforts in laboratory, driving simulator, and on-road settings for road user and driver behavior.

• Experience with statistical analysis, including R, SAS, or similar statistical analysis software.

• Demonstrated experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods.

• Demonstrated understanding of descriptive and inferential statistical analysis.

• Record of publications and presentations related to human factors, transportation, and/or safety, preferably for federal clients.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Demonstrated communication skills.

• Demonstrated collaboration skills with teams, managers, and clients.

• Demonstrated Organization skills, including time management ability.

• Demonstrated, detail-oriented management of research proposals, projects and junior staff.

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan

• 401(k) Retirement Plan

• Paid Parental Leave

• Vacation Leave (15 days per year)

• Sick Leave (10 days per year)

• Holiday Leave (7 Government Holidays and 2 Floating Holidays)

• Professional Development

• Health Advocate

• Employee Assistance Program

• Travel Accident Insurance

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Short Term Disability Insurance

• Long Term Disability Insurance

• Life and AD&D Insurance

• Critical Illness Insurance

• Supplemental Life Insurance

• Flexible Spending Account

• Health Savings Account

This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.

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