The Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) is the medical certification, education, research, and occupational medicine wing of the Office of Aerospace Medicine (AAM) within the FAAs Office of Aviation Safety (AVS). This position is within the Aerospace Human Factors Research Division, National Air Space (NAS) Human Factors Safety Research Branch. The mission of the Division is to promote civil aerospace safety through excellence in aerospace human factors (HF) research.
Duties
The Engineering Psychologist serve as a Principal Investigator conducting human factors research in support of aviation related occupations such as air traffic control specialist, airway transportation system specialist, instructor, and traffic manager. The incumbent performs multiple, varying, and complex research assignments under the limited direction of a manager or other technical specialist.
Applies experience and advanced technical knowledge of human Factors research to accomplish assignments and to improve safety, programs, and policies. Understands how human factors interacts with or is affected by other disciplines and considers the objectives of the major subdivision and LOB/SO when developing, integrating, and implementing solutions to diverse, complex problems. Defines, plans, and organizes assigned resources to accomplish research projects and program objectives. Allocates resources to accomplish work-activities within established schedules.
Manages complex research projects that effectively address sponsor-identified objectives contributing to the safety and efficiency of our nation’s critical air transportation system. Research studies address human factors in aviation that may impact situation awareness, stress, fatigue, and human performance such as 1) evaluating the impact of new technologies, operational procedures and training innovations on air traffic control specialist, airway transportation systems specialist, or flight crew performance, 2) identifying system risks and evaluating potential mitigations, 3) identify new procedures and new technology integrations. Examples include eliciting task descriptions and information requirements, assessing decision support tools and information displays, identifying required knowledge, skills, and abilities for positions, collecting, and analyzing performance data and informing and evaluating training methods.
Develops and executes the research design for assigned projects. Identifies and executes a variety of methods for collecting data, such as experimental protocols, surveys, live observation, and simulator scenarios. Conducts advanced statistical analyses, interprets results, and communicates the application of the results to the research objective or problem to sponsors and stakeholders.
Designs and implements experiments using physiological and psychological measures such as eye tracking cognitive assessments and brain activity measures. Experiments may require observing and interviewing operators, administering, and analyzing questionnaires, and utilization of state-of-the-art simulators.
Conducts literature reviews to identify relevant psychological theories and methodologies applicable to human factors research and stays up to date on the latest advancements in human factors research and technologies to apply cutting-edge concepts to research projects.
Leads or provides subject matter expertise to work groups comprised of individuals from the FAA, other federal agencies, private sector companies, and/or academics. Collaborates with work groups, FAA business units, and/or other operational or scientific professionals to address human factors issues in specific aviation environments through the conduct of field and laboratory research. Consults with and advises FAA or other government personnel (e.g., NASA, DOD) on research and operational issues within ones area of expertise.
Delivers presentations to multiple levels within the FAA with varying technical backgrounds. Documents study findings in technical reports, professional journal publications, and scientific conference presentations. Writes reports consistent with professional standards and generally accepted practices in the fields of Psychology and Human Factors.
Writes statements of work, evaluates contract and grant proposals, and provides oversight to contractors as a Contracting Technical Representative.
Performs other duties as assigned.