Human Factors Researcher Oxfordshire

Human Factors Researcher

Human Factors and Ergonomics are interchangeable terms for the scientific discipline of optimising the design and functionality of equipment, machinery and medical devices.  Human Factors professionals will employ a variety of disciplines including biomechanics, engineering, physiology, cognitive psychology and user interface design to reduce human error, identify potential hazards, increase productivity and enhance the safety and comfort of the end product or equipment.

Human Factors and ergonomics focus on the "fit" between the end user, the equipment or product and the environment in which the equipment is to be used.  A Human Factors or Ergonomics Researcher within the medical devices or healthcare environment will use scientific methods to analyse the behaviour, capabilities and limitations of a representative end user group of patients and medical professionals to determine the optimum design and functionality for such equipment or medical devices. 

In order to arrive at the optimum design for a specific medical device, the Human Factors Researcher will need to plan and organise usability trials and then collate and analyse the resultant user experience data.  The Human Factors Researcher will also be required to produce documentation for submission and approval by the relevant authorities to demonstrate compliance with IEC 62366-1.

Skills and Experience Required for a Career as Human Factors Researcher

• Batchelor’s Degree in Product Design, Industrial Design, a Science or other relevant technical subject
• A Master’s degree in Human Factors can also be helpful
• Excellent communication skills
• Design and create methodologies for usability trials, capturing and analysing user experience data
• Collation of data resulting from usability trials and preparation of reports
• Understanding of the Medical Devices sector

Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire is a county in South East England, to the north west of London.  Major towns and cities in Oxfordshire include Oxford, Banbury, Bicester, Witney, Thame, Abingdon, Wantage, Didcot, Harwell, Wallingford and Henley-on-Thames.  Oxfordshire has the largest concentration of research and development activity in Western Europe.  Harwell Oxford Campus, part of Science Vale Oxford UK, is being developed as a world-class centre for science, innovation and enterprise.   Milton Park is of the UK’s foremost science communities, housing companies ranging from start-ups to global organisations with particular strengths in the biotechnology and ICT sectors.  Education and tourism are major employers in Oxfordshire.  Tourist attractions in Oxfordshire include the stunning city of Oxford, Blenheim Palace, Henley-on-Thames, Bicester Shopping village and numerous attractive towns dotted along the river Thames.

Famous people born in Oxfordshire:  Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister and Stephen Hawking, theoretical physicist.

The Oxforedshire Life Sciences and Healthcare ckuster spans a whole range of life sciences enterprise including drug discovery and development, diagnostics, medical devices, digital health, regenerative medicine, precision medicine and genomics. With world-leading research and teaching providing the ideas and talent to develop ground-breaking new technologies, we also operate as a global powerhouse for clinical trials.

Oxfordshire is a major site for biotechnology, rare disease, ATMP, cell therapy, gene therapy and pharmaceutical development. It houses a number of university spin-out businesses, start-up biotechs and other organisations attracting seed investment. If you are looking for career opportunities in life sciences within the Oxford, call the Next Phase Recruitment team on 01403 216216.