Graduate Human Factors Specialist

Human Factors is the discipline of optimising human performance in the workplace. We are recruiting a graduate human factors specialist. Join us if you like the idea of responsibility, human factors projects, and applying your skills to real world problems.

You will be based within RSSB’s System, Safety and Health Directorate – Human Factors team. You will be working alongside experienced human factors professionals on projects that contribute to improved safety and performance in the rail industry. Your work will include a range of activities including administrative tasks, supporting workshops, designing questionnaires, undertaking interviews, literature reviews, analysis, and report writing. You will be involved in projects that bring you into contact with people who work across the rail industry.

The role will offer the opportunity for professional development in the form of general and specialist training, and support in professional body membership and working towards professional recognition through the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors or British Psychological Society.

Over the course of 24 months, you will work across RSSB to gain a holistic insight into how we work and the challenges we face. The RSSB works across Britain’s evolving railway to improve safety, efficiency and sustainability. Human factors work is embedded in the projects we engage with to further these aims.

These are some of the key activities that you will likely be involved with: 

• Supporting and undertaking human factors project work, including: 
  • Supporting the development and application of HF project methodologies 
  • Collecting and analysing data from sources including literature, staff interviews/observation and review of incident investigation reports.    
  • Providing intelligence and tools to RSSB member companies to help them better understand human factors, for example in the form of published reports, presentations to cross-industry risk groups or training interventions. 
  • Learning to ensure that the work delivered satisfies the expectations of the recipient in terms of scope, technical quality, budget and timely delivery. 
• Engaging with people from across the railway to understand their wants and needs and inform the decisions that they make. 
• Actively undertaking and committing to professional development activities through RSSB and professional institutions such as Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors or British Psychological Society. 

• A minimum of a 2:2 degree in psychology or ergonomics/human factors or in related disciplines such as systems engineering, physiology, kinesthetics, philosophy, sociology, or health sciences where human factors modules have been completed.
• A keen desire to develop expertise in the field of Human Factors and to support the delivery of products and services provided by the Human Factors Team. A willingness to learn about human factors.
• Competence with Microsoft Office 365 products including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Analytical thinker – you can work with variety of information, see patterns and trends and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Systematic - you can adopt a methodical and logical approach to identify the relevant points from information and data and evaluate the most appropriate options to understand and address a problem.
• Problem solving – you can see the bigger picture and think critically and creatively to define and understand a problem, before investigating and developing suitable solutions.
• Collaboration and teamwork – you are a team player with the ability to take on responsibility and where relevant manage and delegate to others. You can work collaboratively by building positive working relationships that help achieve goals and business objectives.
• Communication – you can communicate clearly and concisely to different audiences with a keen attention to detail and you can convey complex issues to non-technical users at all levels. You can actively listen to extract the necessary information to get to the heart of the matter.
• Personal effectiveness – you can prioritise, work efficiently and productively, and manage your own time. You can show how you decide what is important to focus on and get it done.
• Adaptability and resilience – you adapt to the situation; you are open to new ideas and challenges from others. You learn from challenging situations and work under pressure.
• Drive for achievement – you are willing to take control of your own development by actively engaging with the graduate programme. You will show determination and capacity to achieve challenging goals and proactively seek opportunities to broaden your skills and experience within the workplace.

Please note: The scheme may involve visiting RSSB member companies, as well as rotations to include placement(s) internally or externally and flexibility would therefore be required to travel.

If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to an interview and assessment at our offices (11-20th June).

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We value diversity and equal opportunities in employment and are committed to creating a workplace which is inclusive to everyone. As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we encourage candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria, to apply for our jobs. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme, please let us know in advance by emailing Vacancies@RSSB.CO.UK. Find out more about Diversity and Inclusion at RSSB: Rail Safety and Standards Board Careers - VERCIDA

If you require any reasonable adjustments with respect to our selection process including information in an alternative format, please contact us at Vacancies@RSSB.co.uk.