Human Factors Scientist (Ph.D.)

Exponent; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Exponent is seeking a Human Factors Scientist (Ph.D.) in Philadelphia, PA for a Summer 2026 start date. You will analyze human performance related to consumer products, occupational work, and automobiles as part of a multidisciplinary team.

The role involves case management, data processing, literature review, design of studies, and communicating results to non-technical audiences. Strong writing, collaboration, and project management are essential.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in psychology, neuroscience, or vision science.
• Based in Philadelphia area or willing to relocate.
• Available to start Summer 2026.
• Broad literature knowledge and ability to adapt literature to problems.
• Experience designing behavioral studies with diverse subjects and datasets.
• Experience leading scientific studies from design to results.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; strong interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in analytical/statistical programming (Excel, SPSS, MATLAB, Python, or R).
• Legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Working on multi-disciplinary projects with case management and data processing.
• Conducting research to review technical data, literature, and standards.
• Communicating complex analyses clearly to a non-technical audience.
• Managing multiple consulting activities including usability testing and study design.
• Providing project management, budgets, deadlines, and team support.
• Participating in design and evaluation of warnings and safety information.
• Developing client contacts and project relationships.

Skills

Literature review & cross-disciplinary

Behavioral study design

Study leadership

Communication skills

Self-motivation

Statistical programming (Excel, SPSS, 

Work eligibility in USA

Statistical programming (Python, R, /

Education

Ph.D. in Developmental, Experimental, Industrial, or Cognitive Psychology, or a related psychology discipline, Neuroscience, or Vision Science

Currently based in or willing to relocate to the Philadelphia area

Tools

Excel

SPSS

MATLAB

Python

R

Job description

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 currently seeking a Human Factors Scientist for our Human Factors Practice in Philadelphia, PA for a Summer 2026 start date. In this role, you will work as part of a team to analyze human performance related to a wide variety of scenarios involving consumer products, occupational work, and automobiles. Activities in these contexts will focus on a combination of analyzing accidents and injuries that have occurred in the past and managing safety risk to help prevent such incidents in the future.

Responsibilities

• Working on multi-disciplinary projects, providing case management, data processing, and other project support
• Conducting research to obtain and review technical data, scientific literature, and standards
• Communicating complex analyses clearly and succinctly to a non-technical audience
• Managing a range of consulting activities that involve usability testing, study and survey design, human factors in accidents and their prevention, including limitations of human perceptual, cognitive, and response capabilities
• Providing project management for multiple projects at a given time, including managing budgets and deadlines, managing project teams, and performing support tasks for team members
• Participating in the design and evaluation of warnings and safety information
• Developing client contacts

Skills and Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Developmental, Experimental, Industrial, or Cognitive Psychology, or a related psychology discipline, Neuroscience, or Vision Science
• Currently based in or are willing to relocate to the Philadelphia area
• Able and willing to start no earlier than Summer 2026
• Breadth of knowledge of literature from psychology and related disciplines along with the ability to creatively adapt and apply literature, computational models, and concepts from these fields to specific and novel problems
• Strong record demonstrating your ability to design behavioral studies using a variety of human subjects and database research methods (e.g., 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, SPSS, MATLAB, Python, or R)
• 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 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.

Benefits you will enjoy

Access benefits information on our Life@Exponent page: https://www.exponent.com/careers/life-exponent

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 [e-mail].

Job Locations

US-PA-Philadelphia