Human Factors R&D Lead

Abbott; Galway; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott, a leader in Rapid Diagnostics, seeks a Human Factors R&D Lead in Galway. You will lead usability studies for self-testing devices, leveraging your extensive research experience to influence product strategy and enhance user interactions. Join us to shape the future of diagnostics.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in applied product research.
• Experience in human factors and usability assessment.
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute studies on user behavior and attitudes.
• Manage human factors projects and usability testing.
• Support clinical studies and regulatory submissions.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving

Education

Ph.D. in human behavior-related fields

B.S./M.S. with 10 years of industrial experience

Job description

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Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals, and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Abbott in Galway serves as the international hub for Abbott's Rapid Diagnostics business, delivering over 2 billion tests annually. As the global leader in point-of-care diagnostics, Abbott offers a broad portfolio of rapid tests, services, and handheld devices across healthcare settings: labs, clinics, remote healthcare outposts, retail outlets, bedside, and at home. Our industry-leading near-patient tests and services cover infectious disease, cardiometabolic & informatics, toxicology, and consumer diagnostics.

One key function in Galway is Global Business Services, providing shared services across finance, purchasing, quality, technical, and customer services for EMEA. Various global and EMEA commercial and operational management teams oversee the supply of rapid tests for HIV, diabetes, COVID-19, and more, reaching many regions worldwide.

Job Scope:

This Human Factors R&D Lead will join a dynamic team developing innovative approaches to usability and enhancements in self-testing/home-use lateral flow devices. The focus is on intuitive sample collection, processing, and test interpretation. Responsibilities include initiating a human factors charter for the Infectious Disease business unit and developing strategies to implement it. The role involves designing and executing studies to address user behavior and attitudes, using appropriate methodologies for the self-test market.

This individual will conceive, plan, design, and conduct advanced studies, translating user insights into product requirements, planning early user studies, and preparing formative and summative usability studies to support regulatory submissions. The candidate must have strong analytical skills, excellent communication, and a track record of independent and collaborative research.

Job Responsibilities:

• Act as a thought leader advocating for product users.
• Design and execute studies on user behavior and attitudes, delivering Human Factors documentation.
• Generate insights to influence product strategy.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including design, product management, data science, engineering, and marketing.
• Support R&D teams with human factors expertise during product development.
• Manage human factors projects, including ethnographic research, translating needs into design, developing prototypes, and preparing documentation.
• Conduct usability testing (formative and summative).
• Participate in development teams to ensure human factors principles are incorporated.
• Design usability solutions and communicate project plans and deliverables.
• Support clinical studies and regulatory submissions with HFE expertise.
• Maintain communication with internal and external partners.
• Apply risk-based processes to identify and mitigate use-related hazards.

Job Requirements:

• 10+ years in applied product research.
• Experience in human factors, usability assessment, and voice of customer research, preferably in self-test medical devices.
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including survey design.
• Familiarity with regulatory standards in diagnostics industry.
• Willingness to take on challenging assignments and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to build relationships with stakeholders and external partners.
• High integrity and character.

Education:

• Minimum Ph.D. with 5 years of research experience or B.S./M.S. with 10 years of industrial experience.
• Degree in human behavior-related fields such as human-computer interaction, psychology, sociology, communication, information science, media studies, computer science, or economics.