Research Physiologist

Job Title

Research Physiologist

Researchers conduct aerospace-relevant applied research in the biomedical, biodynamics and survivability/cabin safety sciences. The research physiologist works primarily as an integral member of a multi-disciplinary environmental physiology and civil aerospace medical research team.

This team has two goals: (1) conduct research on environmental factors that may influence human performance, physiology, safety, and health in aviation/aerospace environments in response to stressors such as hypoxia, rapid decompression, and biological/chemical threats to include cabin air quality issues, and (2) develop test procedures to assess environmental hazards and the adequacy of life support systems, medical devices, and other equipment at altitude.

Incumbent will perform multiple, varying, and complex assignments under the limited direction of a section manager and research team leader. May act as a contributing associate investigator on large work activities or as a principal investigator for single or small work activities.

Applies experience and advanced technical knowledge in human physiology, aviation/aerospace physiology, and environmental physiology to accomplish assignments. Also employs technical knowledge of physiological sensor technologies, and skills in experimental set-up, instrumentation, and operation and maintenance of complex data acquisition systems to collect, record, and analyze human physiological data. Understands how his/her technical area interacts with or is affected by other disciplines and considers the objectives of the research sponsor when developing research projects addressing diverse, complex problems.

Typical assignments include formulating hypotheses; developing and carrying out research plans; determining resource needs; keeping the supervisor informed of general plans and progress; addressing novel and difficult problem requiring modification of standard methods; analyzing and interpreting results; preparing comprehensive reports of findings; and working with research sponsors to interpret and implement research findings.

Defines, plans, and organizes assigned resources to accomplish research projects and achieve research objectives. Allocates resources to accomplish small work-activities within established schedules.

Contacts are internal and external. May act as a key technical point of contact for assigned activities. Is primary author or contributes to the preparation of management/technical reports or contractual documents, and may communicate the overall results of a project or work activity to FAA management, the aviation and aerospace industries, and other external parties. Work is expected to result in selection to serve on committees and review panels of technical groups and professional organizations;

recognition by the scientific community as a significant contributor in epidemiology, public health, or aerospace medicine; and invitations to make presentations to professional societies and others outside the organization on technical matters; and consultations by agency technical and managerial staff and other researchers who are respected in their fields of study.

Uses or adapts guidelines consisting of literature in the fields of human physiology, aviation/aerospace physiology, and environmental physiology; procedures; instructions; or precedents to meet the requirements of the current assignment. May need to deal with situations where the existing literature is of limited usefulness due to contradictions, critical gaps, or limited applicability, or is largely absent because of the novel nature of the work.

Provides guidance to lower-level technical staff on how to solve difficult technical issues. Resolves all but unique technical problems without the intervention of management or a more experienced technical specialist.

Performs other duties as assigned.