Exponent

Scientist (Ph.D.)

Exponent • $95K — $115K *
Healthcare
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Developmental, Experimental, or Cognitive Psychology, Neuroscience, Vision Science, Data Sciences, Biomechanics, or related discipline
  • Willingness to travel (10-20%) for research and client meetings
  • Flexibility in scheduling for project needs
  • Strong background in designing and executing human subjects research
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Proficiency in analytical and statistical software (Excel, MATLAB, Python, R, or SPSS)
  • Experience in regulated or sensitive research domains is a plus

Responsibilities

  • Review scientific literature and technical data to inform research design
  • Design and execute user research studies including usability testing and interviews
  • Perform quantitative and qualitative data analysis
  • Manage multiple projects, overseeing budgets and deadlines
  • Prepare and communicate complex research findings clearly
  • Develop client contacts and support business development efforts
  • Travel occasionally for research and client interactions

Benefits

  • Variety of programs and resources to support health and well-being
  • Competitive benefits packages
  • 401(k) employer contribution of 7% of base salary
  • Flexible work hours to maintain work/life balance
  • Encouragement for a supportive and collaborative work environment
Full Job Description
Our Opportunity

We are currently seeking a Scientist for our User Sciences Practice to be based in our Phoenix, AZ office. In this role, you will work as part of a team to conduct user experience (UX) and usability research across a range of projects spanning consumer electronics hardware and software, medical devices, wearable technology, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications. Your work will help clients understand how users interact with their productsuncovering usability challenges, informing design improvements, and providing insights into safe and intuitive use.

You will collaborate with a team of scientists and engineers from complementary disciplines to deliver research-driven insights that are rigorous, actionable, and clearly communicated to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Projects will often span study design through data collection, analysis, and final reporting.

You will be responsible for
  • Reviewing and synthesizing scientific literature, technical data, and industry standards to ground research and inform study design and expert analysis
  • Designing and executing primary user research studies including usability testing, surveys, interviews, and observational research with careful attention to human perceptual, cognitive, and physical capabilities and limitations
  • Performing quantitative and qualitative data analysis including, for example, statistical analysis of behavioral and performance metrics and thematic analysis of qualitative data
  • Providing project management for multiple projects at a given time, including overseeing budgets and deadlines, coordinating project teams, and performing support tasks for team members
  • Preparing written reports and communicating complex analyses and findings clearly and succinctly to technical and non-technical audiences
  • Developing client contacts and building foundational business development skills through client interactions, supporting proposals, and gaining exposure to consulting strategies across a variety of areas (e.g., consumer products, medical devices, etc.)
  • Occasionally traveling (e.g., 10-20%) for research sessions, client meetings, or on-site evaluations, and being flexible in scheduling (e.g., early mornings, evenings, or weekends) to meet the needs of a consulting project
You will have the following skills and qualifications
  • Ph.D. in Developmental, Experimental, or Cognitive Psychology, Neuroscience, Vision Science, Data Sciences, Biomechanics, or a related discipline
  • Currently based in or are willing to relocate to the Phoenix area
  • Willingness to travel (e.g., 10-20%) for research sessions, client meetings, or on-site evaluations
  • Flexibility in scheduling (e.g., early mornings, evening, or weekends) depending on the consulting project
  • Breadth of knowledge of scientific literature from relevant fields along with the ability to creatively adapt expertise to specific and novel problems
  • Strong record demonstrating your ability to design and execute human subjects research studies using a variety of methods (e.g., qualitative research methods, usability testing, 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, MATLAB, Python, R, or SPSS)
  • Experience conducting research in regulated, safety-critical, or sensitive domains (e.g., medical devices, healthcare, consumer safety, child-focused products) is welcome
  • Experience conducting human subjects research with diverse or specialized populations (e.g., children, caregivers, patients, healthcare providers) is a strong plus
  • 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:https://www.exponent.com/careers/life-exponent https://www.exponent.com/company/our-impact

 

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 forbuilding 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.

Benefits you will enjoy

Access benefits information on our Life@Exponent page: 

https://www.exponent.com/careers/life-exponent 

 

Job LocationsUS-AZ-Phoenix

About Exponent

Exponent is a multi-disciplinary engineering and scientific consulting firm that brings together more than 90 different disciplines to solve engineering, science, regulatory, and business issues facing our clients. The company has been providing solutions to complex problems for more than 50 years and has a reputation for technical expertise, objective analysis, and clear communication. Exponent's services include analysis and testing, engineering and design, human factors, environmental and health sciences, and regulatory consulting. The company serves clients in a wide range of industries, including aerospace, automotive, consumer products, energy, healthcare, and technology.
Learn more about Exponent
Size
1,215 employees
Market Cap
$5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$82.5 million
Founded
1967
5 Year Trend
+8.2%
Revenue
$399.9 million
NASDAQ

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