Human Subjects Research Scientist (Ph.D.)

Exponent; Natick (MA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

Exponent is seeking a Human Subjects Research Scientist (Ph.D.) based in Natick, MA, to lead data collection, engineering, and analysis for large-scale studies in digital health and consumer electronics. You will work within the User Sciences practice to design studies, ensure data integrity, and manage complex data flows with regulatory requirements.

Join a multidisciplinary team, develop backend tools, and collaborate with clients to deliver rigorous insights while contributing to a culture of

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Data Science, Computer Science, or related field.
• Based in or willing to relocate to the Boston area.
• Experience leading complex human-subjects research or large data-collection efforts.
• Strong data management practices and audit logging awareness.
• Ability to learn new skills quickly and translate questions into rigorous approaches.

Responsibilities

• Lead human-subjects data-collection programs including study design and quality control.
• Troubleshoot prototype hardware and research software in real-world environments.
• Write backend code to manage data flows with regulatory considerations (e.g., Part 11, HIPAA).
• Develop and maintain tools for tracking, automation, visualization, and data quality control.
• Build and maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Data management

Regulatory awareness

Communication

Learning agility

Problem solving

Education

Ph.D. in relevant field

Tools

Python

JavaScript

MATLAB

R

AI-assisted coding tools

Job description

Human Subjects Research Scientist (Ph.D.)

• Location: US-MA-Natick
• Practice: User Sciences
• Position Type: Full-time
• Posted Salary Range: USD $117,500.00 - USD $127,500.00 /Yr.
• Workplace Type: On-Site

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 Subjects Research Scientist for our User Sciences Practice to be based in our Natick, MA office. In this role, you will work as part of a team to run data collection, engineering, and analysis for large-scale studies involving human subjects in the domains of digital health and consumer electronics.

You will be responsible for

• Leading human-subjects data-collection programs, including study design, protocols, participant-facing interactions, and quality control
• Troubleshooting prototype hardware, sensor arrays, mobile devices, operating systems, and research software in real-world study environments
• Writing backend code to manage complex data flows spanning a variety of different domains and sources, often with regulatory requirements (Part 11, HIPAA, etc.)
• Building lightweight tools for tracking, automation, visualization, data processing, and quality control
• Developing and maintaining strong client and stakeholder relationships

You will have the following skills and qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Data Science, Computer Science, or a relevant engineering/scientific field
• Currently based in or are willing to relocate to the Boston area
• Substantial record of leading complex human-subjects research, user studies, or large experimental data-collection efforts
• An understanding of best practices and principles for data management, such as prioritizing correct collection at the source, immutability, and rigorous audit logging
• Ability to learn new skills (for instance, a new programming language) rapidly based on project demands
• Ability to turn ambiguous scientific or operational questions into rigorous approaches and communicate insights clearly to technical, executive, and client audiences
• Presently legally authorized to work in the United States; no immigration sponsorship or processing required

Preferred Qualifications:

• First-author research publication experience and/or presentation experience in academic, technical, industry, or client-facing forums
• Willingness to travel for research sessions, client meetings, or on-site evaluations

Required Technical and Data Skills:

• Practical scripting or programming skills, such as Python, JavaScript, MATLAB, R, or similar tools (including AI-assisted coding tools) for automation, data checks, and workflow support
• Experience constructing data pipelines or processing workflows that transform raw human-subjects, sensor, device, or interaction data into analysis-ready datasets
• Experience developing custom data-quality methods, audits, dashboards, or automated checks for missingness, synchronization issues, labeling errors, outliers, etc.
• Hands-on comfort with instrumentation, data acquisition, synchronization, hardware/software troubleshooting, and operating-system quirks
• Familiarity with machine learning concepts, dataset evaluation, labeling workflows, or model-assisted approaches to improving data quality

Preferred Technical and Data Skills:

• Experience with cloud computing (ideally AWS)
• Strong history of programming ability prior to the advent of AI coding tools, combined with strong AI assisted coding skills today

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.

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.

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.

Salary Range

USD $117,500.00 - USD $127,500.00 /Yr.

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-MA-Natick