Design Science is a human factors research firm, founded in 1991. Our mission is to amplify the needs of patients, their caregivers, and healthcare professionals in order to cultivate the advancement of healthcare technology. We do this in partnership with some of the world’s leading medical device and pharmaceutical companies, harnessing the skills of members of our organization in human factors research, design, and video to collect important insights about how users interact with medical products. Research results in outcomes like easier and faster therapies, and ultimately, a better quality of life for patients.

Design Science is headquartered in the heart of Philadelphia, PA, with offices in Evanston, IL and Munich, Germany. We have over 30 employees working across our three locations. Our team is made up of diverse, talented, caring individuals who value socially impactful work in a collaborative culture. We offer the opportunity to grow as a professional, experiencing a wide variety of projects and clients in a growing organization.

What we offer:
We are offering a unique opportunity for a student/recent graduate from Germany (or the EU) to participate in a 6 month trainee program, starting in 2021, at our USA office based in Philadelphia. Participants are fully embedded in our multi-disciplinary teams to execute research and usability testing for a variety of projects. In addition to gaining experience in subject interviews, data analysis, and report writing, trainees expand their knowledge of FDA and EU regulatory requirements for the safety and usability of medical devices.
Note: Design Science will support the visa process and help with the formalities of moving to the United States.

Upon successful completion of the trainee program, a permanent position at Design Science’s upcoming new German office in Munich may be offered.

Who you are:
• Passionate about improving the lives of people who rely on medical devices.
• An excellent listener with strong observational skills.
• Highly organized, with the ability to balance multiple projects simultaneously.
• A team player in multidisciplinary situations with experience collaborating across a variety of fields, including engineering, design, and psychology.

What your primary responsibilities will be:

• Study environment and video equipment set-up
• Moderating usability testing sessions
• Root cause analysis
• Data entry, analysis, and management
• Video review, analysis, and backup
• Usability study protocol and report writing
• Study supply tracking & inventory
• Site visits for observational research

What we need from you:
• A bachelor’s degree in human factors engineering, occupational or industrial psychology, cognitive sciences, biomedical or industrial engineering, biological sciences, or a related field required. A master’s degree or PhD is considered highly beneficial.
• An ability to analyze data using Excel and appropriate statistical techniques, as well as to visualize/present data in a form that is easily understood.
• Strong verbal and writing skills in English and German; more languages are beneficial.
• Excellent listening and observational skills.
• Advanced to expert proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• An ability to work full time at the Design Science office in Philadelphia, PA, and willingness to travel 20-30% of the time domestically within the United States for research purposes.
• Willingness to undergo appropriate background checks and drug/health screenings as required for research purposes (i.e., in clinical settings, with adolescents, etc.).
• German citizenship or legal ability to work in the EU.

We would also love to see:
• Ability to deploy a variety of research techniques to collect and process data across multiple areas of company’s portfolio of work (field research, usability testing, ergonomics, etc.).
• Experience with, or interest in, medical devices, product development and/or design.
• Experience with, or interest in, regulatory guidance pertaining to medical devices.
• Proficiency in a variety of data collection software / programs (e.g. DatStat, Qualtrics, etc.).

Resume / cover letter required. 

Visit our website / blog at www.dscience.com for more information, or check us out on social media @designscience .