Senior Human Factors Scientist

Idaho National Laboratory; Idaho Falls (ID); On-site; USD 120,000 - 281,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with employer contribution

Tuition assistance

Relocation package

Job summary

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Senior Human Factors Scientist to lead human factors research across nuclear energy, space exploration, and critical infrastructure domains. You will guide multidisciplinary teams in evaluating complex systems and advancing human-centered design in high-stakes environments.

The role focuses on developing new research directions, publishing high-impact papers, and collaborating with sponsors and partners to shape mission outcomes.

Qualifications

• Degree in human factors, experimental psychology, industrial engineering, human-computer interaction, or related field with extensive experience per level 4/5.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience collaborating across multidisciplinary teams.
• Export control: US citizen or US Green Card holder required.

Responsibilities

• Leading independent and multidisciplinary studies applying human factors and experimental psychology to real-world systems.
• Performing human-centered research on technologies for nuclear power plant control operation and other safety-critical industries.
• Building relationships with stakeholders to define human factors research questions.
• Developing new lines of research through proposal writing to expand the portfolio.

Job description

Job Description Interested in changing the world’s energy future by leading human-centered designs advancing reliable nuclear energy technologies? In this role, your technical leadership shapes the future of critical operations by ensuring seamless human-centered innovation in high-stakes environments like nuclear energy, space exploration, electric grid, and national security.

Job Description Interested in changing the world’s energy future by leading human-centered designs advancing reliable nuclear energy technologies? In this role, your technical leadership shapes the future of critical operations by ensuring seamless human-centered innovation in high-stakes environments like nuclear energy, space exploration, electric grid, and national security. As a Senior Human Factors Scientist, working with multidisciplinary teams, your mission is to apply human factors principles to evaluate and improve systems.

Essential Job Functions And Responsibilities

• Leading independent and multidisciplinary studies applying human factors and experimental psychology to real-world systems.
• Performing human-centered research on technologies for nuclear power plant control operation and other safety-critical industries.
• Building relationships with key internal and external stakeholders defining important human factors research questions within their existing goals and portfolios.
• Developing new lines of research, through proposal writing and submission, to expand the human factors portfolio and impact on the mission.
• Increasing human factors technical expertise and scientific eminence through technical writing and professional papers such as journal articles, conference papers, and technical reports.

With rapid technology advancements we stand at a critical juncture that calls for insights into how humans perform, how to integrate technologies into existing systems and processes, and how to evaluate advanced forms of automation including agentic automation, large language models, and machine learning. This opportunity allows you to dig into these problems and produce actionable solutions for the nuclear energy and other safety-critical industries.

INL houses two state-of-the-art simulation laboratories (Human Systems Simulation Laboratories) to support applied research activities, where real-time human factors experiments can be designed and conducted with full-scale reactor simulators.

As part of a centralized human factors team that performs cross-cutting research across nuclear energy, super intelligence/artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space exploration and electric grid domain areas, you have the opportunity to collaborate with teammates who hold deep domain expertise. Join the human factors team and change the world’s energy future!

Required

• Level 4: Bachelor of Science degree in human factors, experimental psychology, industrial engineering, human-computer interaction, or a related scientific/engineering field and 9 years of relevant experience; or a Masters of Science degree in human factors, experimental psychology, industrial engineering, human-computer interaction, or a related scientific/engineering field and 6 years of relevant experience; or a PhD in human factors, experimental psychology, industrial engineering, human-computer interaction, or a related scientific/engineering field and 4 years of relevant experience
• Level 5: Bachelor of Science degree in human factors, experimental psychology, industrial engineering, human-computer interaction, or a related scientific/engineering field and 14 years of relevant experience; or a Masters of Science degree in human factors, experimental psychology, industrial engineering, human-computer interaction, or a related scientific/engineering field and 8 years of relevant experience; or a PhD in human factors, experimental psychology, industrial engineering, human-computer interaction, or a related scientific/engineering field and 6 years of relevant experience
• Must have strong verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Must demonstrate collaboration consistently and effectively.
• This position is subject to export control restrictions per the Department of Energy. For this reason, you must be either a US Citizen or a US Green Card holder to qualify for the job.

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess

• PhD in human factors, experimental psychology, industrial engineering, human-computer interaction, or a related scientific/engineering field
• Demonstrated experience in nuclear energy or other energy-related domains
• Experience interfacing with federal program sponsors, technical leadership, and/or industry.
• Track record of research funding through proposals and partnerships

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, use hands to handle materials, manipulate tools, keyboard and type, reach with hands and arms, and operate job related equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Information

• The pay range for this position is: Level 4 ($114,360 - $234,336) / Level 5 ($137,076 - $281,196). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.
• Multi-Level: This is a multi-level posting and you will be placed at the appropriate level dependent on depth and breadth of proven experience and skills.

About Us

Idaho National Laboratory is hiring a Senior Human Factors Scientist to work on our Human Factors team. Our team works a 9x80 schedule located out of our Engineering Research Office Building facility with every other Friday off.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

INL Mission

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision

Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements

To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see www.sss.gov .

Equal Employment Opportunity

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at [e-mail] to request accommodation.

Other Information

When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.

INL does not accept resumes from third party vendors unsolicited.