Senior Service Fellow (Research Industrial Engineer)
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Sub-Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Center Name: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Salary:$116,070
Work Schedule: Full-Time
Appointment Duration: 3-5 years initial appointment with opportunity for extension
Bargaining Unit Status: Bargaining Unit
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the agency Americans trust with their lives. As a global leader in public health, CDC is the nation’s premier health promotion, prevention, and preparedness agency. Whether we are protecting the American people from public health threats, researching emerging diseases, or mobilizing public health programs with our domestic and international partners, we rely on our employees to make a real difference in the health and well-being of our people here and around the world.
Position
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) invites fellowship applications for a full-time Research Industrial Engineer position to work in the Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch (EPHB). This position is with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Division of Field Studies and Engineering, located in Cincinnati, OH.
This is a full-time position being offered as part of the CDC’s Service Fellowship program under Title 42 of the U.S. Code. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply. CDC service fellows are considered federal employees with most of the rights and benefits provided to permanent civil service employees. The initial fellowship appointment will be for three to five years with potential for renewal based upon performance and available NIOSH funding. Salary will be based on education and experience. Fellows will be eligible for government health and retirement benefits.
Job Description
The Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch in the Division of Field Studies and Engineering, NIOSH conducts Occupational safety and health research related to characterizing and controlling worker exposures to chemical and physical hazards.
The position provides an opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team of research engineers, industrial hygienists and IT professionals to support and conduct research studies and projects aimed to reduce the incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs); provide expertise in the research design, development, implementation of emerging technologies (e.g., exoskeleton, wearable sensor and computer vision) or other innovative engineering controls for reducing the risk of WMSDs in workplaces; and collaborate with other scientists or economists using workers’ compensation information for evaluating the cost-benefit of ergonomic interventions.
Duties
The incumbent will be responsible for the following:
- Design, develop and conduct research projects integrating biomechanical and epidemiologic information for reducing the risk of WMSDs
- Coordinate multi-faceted projects to implement interventions or engineering controls in various workplaces and assess their effectiveness in reducing the risk of WMSDs
- Manage projects and serve as a subject matter expert in the design and implementation of research projects for the prevention of WMSDs
- Lead or serve on multidisciplinary project teams that analyze work processes, practices and needs to conceptualize and design technical solutions for WMSD problems
- Identify and analyze musculoskeletal health issues and their impact on the society and industry
- Publish and disseminate scientific papers and government reports at professional conferences, partners’ meetings and media platforms
- Collaborate and provide expert scientific and technical advice to synthesize and implement policies and directions for future development within NIOSH, CDC and other federal agencies as well as externally with various state health agencies and other partner organizations
- Consult with scientists, IT staff, statisticians, and program management to support research studies/ projects through application of best public health practices in all aspects of the study or survey including design, implementation, analysis, and interpretation
Basic Qualifications
Education:
GS-14 or Equivalent:
This position requires a Master or PhD degree in human factors/ergonomics/computer science engineering, industrial hygiene or other health allied sciences fields. A minimum ten years of research experience and peer-reviewed journal publications in biomechanics, ergonomics or human factors engineering are required. Experience in laboratory- or field- based motion capture systems and other wearable technologies are desirable. Experience in the design, development and implementation of risk assessment or health informatics systems using machine learning and data visualization methods are highly desirable.
Note: Degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.
Additional Qualifications:
Candidates must also meet the following requirements:
- Doctoral degree, and
- One year of post-doctoral experience at or above the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service or its equivalent with state or local government, the private sector, or nongovernmental organizations.
Highly qualified candidates would possess the following:
- Strong laboratory proficiency in using motion capture system, electromyography instruments and force platform measuring systems
- Working knowledge of biomechanical modeling
- Experience working with machine learning based analytical methods, such as deep neural networking algorithms
- Experience working with epidemiologists or economists on analyzing population risk exposure, cost and health data
- Demonstrated ability to work independently to troubleshoot instrument/method issues, analyze critical data to draw conclusions, and effectively communicate experimental results
- Superior oral communication and scientific writing skills, as demonstrated by authorship of research proposals, conference presentations, and refereed journal manuscripts
- Experience in Laboratory Management, developing and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures, quality assurance and control, training protocols, validation and study reports, reference standard systems, and sample preparation equipment
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently as well as effectively and collegially within a team setting
- High motivation in improving administrative work for facilitating research projects and management
Basic Requirements
- Both US citizens and non-US citizens are eligible to apply
Note: Non-US citizens meeting the above degree and specified specialized experience requirements are eligible for noncompetitive appointments under this appointing authority. Citizens of countries on the Non-Aligned list (including China, India, and Switzerland) are eligible for this appointment. Citizens of countries that have been determined by the U.S. Secretary of State as State Sponsors of Terrorism will not be able to obtain a security clearance to work at CDC and should not be considered for this appointing authority. Countries currently on this list include: Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Syria.
- Successful completion of a background investigation
- Up to 10% domestic travel may be required
Required Documents
To ensure compliance with an applicable preliminary nationwide injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees. Therefore, to the extent a Federal job announcement includes the requirement that applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 pursuant to Executive Order 14043, that requirement does not currently apply. Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
For more information see the Vaccinations section of the Safer Federal Workforce website.
Applicants must submit the following:
- Curriculum vitae or resume
- Cover letter – describing past and current laboratory experience
- Copies of 2-3 significant publications
- Unofficial transcript(s)
- Contact information for three references
This position has an education requirement: Upon request, you must submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer. Failure to submit transcripts or indicated college courses information will cause loss of consideration for this position.
Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.
For further information, review the new hire information page.
EEO Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
How to Apply
Email all required documentation listed above to: NIOSH Recruitment at NIOSHJobs@CDC.gov by 11:59 PM EDT July 8, 2022. Please list the position you are applying to in the subject line of the email.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed and there may possibly be interviews. If selected, the following documentation will be required:
- Official transcripts issued directly to the CDC (these may be sent to the program or to HR by the school).
- Two letters of recommendation from outside CDC (dated within one year)
- Human Resources, in coordination with the program office, will notify the selectee and negotiate the effective date of the position.
Visit our pathways page to learn more about public health training and fellowships at CDC.
Visit our employment page to learn more about occupational safety and health opportunities at NIOSH.