MD - Rockville

26775BR

Job Description

Westat is an employee-owned corporation providing research services to agencies of the U.S. Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. Westat's research, technical, and administrative staff of more than 2,000 is located at our headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, near Washington, DC.

Westat is committed to building a diverse workforce and a culture of inclusivity, belonging and equity for all. We believe that our greatest strength draws on the different backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences of our employees.
Westat's Center for Transportation & Safety Research is seeking a Principal Research Associate to be a subject matter expert and work with a multidisciplinary team of experienced researchers who are building on the current state of transportation safety knowledge and supporting our clients' mission of maintaining safer roads and saving lives.
The Transportation team works collaboratively with Westat's clients to implement innovative research designs that explore a variety of transportation and safety challenges within different disciplines, including automation, driver distraction, situational awareness, vehicle technology and safety implications, pedestrian safety, and travel behavior. Westat research studies employ a wide range of novel and inventive approaches using in-laboratory testing, Level 2 autonomous and instrumented vehicles, driving simulators, observational studies, test track, and on-road studies, multi-modal surveys, and focus groups.
In this role you will collaborate with other team members to develop and execute a strategic plan growth in human factors and transportation and expand Westat business opportunities. You will provide insight and guidance at all stages of research study design, data collection and management, analysis, and report writing. Clients include federal, state, and local governments, as well as nonprofit, foundations, and vehicle manufacturers.
This is a full-time position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, requiring 1-2 days on-site at our Rockville, Maryland headquarters.
Job Responsibilities:
* Expanding the line of business in human factors and transportation.
* Serving as principal investigator and co-principal investigator capacities on multiple studies, including management of project budgets and schedules.
* Client relationship management supporting current clients and developing relationships with potential clients.
* Leading proposal development and collaborating with other team members to develop winning proposals.
* Conceptualizing, designing, and conducting research studies using driving simulator, laboratory settings, test track, observational surveys, and on-road settings.
* Developing and executing focus groups, interviews, surveys, and field studies.
* Designing data collection plans and guiding the creation of data collection instruments and protocols.
* Conducting reviews of research literature and synthesizing findings.
* Developing analysis plans, including video coding, quality control review, and conducting analysis.
* Writing technical reports for client publication and articles for peer-reviewed journals and professional conferences.
* Mentoring and supervising junior and mid-level staff.
Basic Qualifications:
* Typically requires a doctoral degree in human factors, experimental psychology, biomechanical engineering or social science related field with 5 years' relevant experience or a master's degree in human factors, experimental psychology, biomechanical engineering, or social science related field with 8 years' relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
* A minimum of 2 years of progressive experience with human factors research in transportation, safety, or related fields.
* Established history of working with federal clients in transportation, safety and/or human factors.
* Demonstrated business development acumen leading proposal initiatives with federal clients.
* Record of publications and presentations related to Human Factors, Transportation, and/or Safety.
Preferred Qualifications:
* Experience directing and managing multiple research studies in a laboratory environment as well as using driving simulator, and on-road settings for road user and driver behavior.
* Experience with statistical analysis, including R, SAS, or similar statistical analysis software.
* Demonstrated experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods. Understands descriptive and inferential statistical analysis.
* Experience as a key staff on a federally funded project.
* Experience writing proposals and developing budgets for federally funded projects.
* Experience preparing IRB and PRA packages for government funded studies with human subjects.
* Strong writing skills with recent experience writing and publishing research articles, preferably for federal clients.
Minimum Qualifications
* Demonstrated communication skills
* Collaboration with teams, managers and/or clients
* Organization skills, including time management ability
* Detail oriented.

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Vacation Leave (20 days per year)
• Sick Leave (10 days per year)
• Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays)
• Professional Development
• Health Advocate
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account

This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, or any other protected status under applicable law.

Career Area

Research

Pay Range

The anticipated salary range for this role is $120k-140k and will be commensurate with experience.

Bonus Eligibility

Yes