Healthy Regions & Policies Lab

Research Specialist

Job Description:

The Visiting Senior Research Specialist (Product Designer / User Experience Researcher) will lead research work related to integrating user or human-centered design on a new project to advance health equity with improved social determinant of health (SDOH) data discovery and community practice tools (web applications) for health researchers, policymakers, and community organizations. The position will implement human-centered design protocols on the project, utilize evidence-based user-interface and user-experience (UI/UX) practices to facilitate knowledge discovery, and contribute expertise in both design and human-computer interaction as an invaluable member of the lab.

Job Duties:

  • Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to scope design, concept test, and implement human-centered design protocols on research lab products (50%), including:
    • Lead and synthetize quantitative and qualitative research and contextual design investigations through frameworks, systems thinking, stories and scenarios;
    • Create conceptual wireframes, storyboards, user flow diagrams, information architectures and prototypes to communicate design concepts for discussions and testing purposes;
  • Communicate principles of user-centered design and human-computer interface tenets for new audiences using print and digital media, & technical documentation (20%); 
  • Serve as a HCI research leader for the lab and project stakeholders as a leader in trainings, design discussions, design sprint, and product development meetings (20%); 
  • Contribute to development and maintenance of FOSS4G projects that facilitate an open ecosystem for communities working with place data (10%).

Qualifications:

Education. 

  • Required: Bachelor’s degree in human-computer interaction, industrial design, or equivalent in work experience.
  • Preferred: Master’s degree in human-computer interaction, industrial design, or equivalent in work experience.

Experience

  • Required: A minimum of one year user centered design experience; presenting, and/or publishing technical projects or papers in a professional or academic setting; and designing interactive user interfaces and web interface details for various mobile, web and interactive platforms.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

A strong interest in communicating user-centered design concepts to new audiences and disciplines.

  • Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Awareness of, and sensitivity to, cultural and linguistic differences.
  • Commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Ability to explain and clarify ambiguous or complex technical procedures and processes.
  • Ability to mentor students.
  • Ability to assume responsibility and to work independently with minimum guidance.
  • Must work within both the spirit and the letter of University policies and procedures.
  • Ability to work collaboratively.
  • Excellent attention to details.
  • Ability to multi-task