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Newsletter
Updated: January 23, 2000
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Contents: HFES Home Overview Newsletter Next Meeting Job Openings Membership Sites of Interest |
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NewsletterUpdated: January 23, 2000 |
| January '00 | Volume 35 Number 1 |
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http://www.erols.com/hfespoc |
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The wireless phone is a case where we are reaching an ergonomic threshold. Cell phones are small and getting even smaller with capabilities such as e-mail and Internet access being added. Such access requires alphanumeric entries but not from a standard keyboard. European phone manufacturers have one solution in the form of modified telephone keypads to provide full alphanumeric entries, and are working on other solutions. As these wireless phones get greater usage in the United States, look for even more research and other interface concepts. Hopefully we'll use prior research (as accessed through CSERIAC and other sources) to allow for rapid interface development and not have to scramble to repeat prior experiments.
On a personal note I wish to thank all those who helped make 1999 a successful year for the Potomac Chapter. While my term of office as POC President ends with our January meeting (described below), I'll still be working for the chapter as its new webmaster.
Jack Laveson
Outgoing President
Meeting Date: Wednesday, January 26, 2000
5:30-6:30 Executive Council Meeting - main Ft. Myer lounge
6:30-7:00 Social Time (Cash Bar) - main Ft. Myer lounge
7:00-8:00 Dinner - main Ft. Myer dining room
8:00 Speaker - 2nd floor meeting room
Ft. Myer Officers' Club, Arlington, VA, (703) 524-7000
Michael I. Fineberg
Dr. Fineberg is a highly experienced technical manager and senior research scientist whose major areas of expertise include analysis of human capabilities and limitations, human machine integration, human performance-related factors, and display, control, and workplace design. For over 30 years Dr. Fineberg has taken a system perspective in his research, testing, and evaluation on human behavior under stress. His work in analyzing and modeling battlefield environmental effects such as NBC and fire suppression on soldiers' performance, health, and safety has been especially well received. In addition, he has developed a theory of human performance under stress and an accompanying behavioral taxonomy to guide the representation of human behaviors in synthetic forces. He has served in government and industry, as professorial lecturer at local universities, as a family psychotherapist, and as a consultant on psychological stress for private schools and small business. Dr. Fineberg is a licensed psychologist in Maryland.
"A New Vision for CSERIAC: The Right Information to the Right People at the Right Time."
CSERIAC (Crew Systems Ergonomics Information Analysis Center) is a Defense Technical Information Center facility managed by the Air Force Research Lab that provides access to worldwide sources of up-to-the-minute human factors information for system designers, engineers, scientists, and most importantly, the warfighter. CSERIAC helps ensure the technological superiority of our military forces and civil systems by providing "The Right Human Factors Information at the Right Time."
Staffed with human factors experts who have specialized training in data collection and analysis techniques, CSERIAC helps its clients to locate, sort, and understand human factors information. CSERIAC provides a variety of products and services, some of which are free, to government, industry, and academe, and promotes the use of ergonomics in the design of manned systems and human-operated equipment. In addition, CSERIAC identifies, creates, and distributes a wide range of human factors software, models, and technical publications including handbooks, state-of-the-art reports (SOARs), and technology assessments. For more detailed information please visit the CSERIAC web site at http://www.dtic.mil/cseriac, or contact Dr. Fineberg at (703) 289-5120 or the CSERIAC director, Tom Metzler, at (937) 255-6623.
No charge for presentation; optional dinner is choice of entrees (various prices) from Ft. Myer's menu (student members - no charge for meal)
Directions:
From Route 66, take the Rosslyn exit; go to the second light and turn right onto Ft. Myer Dr; see below.
From Route 395, take the Ft. Myer exit; go 300 yards and take the off ramp to Ft. Myer; see below
From the 14th St. Bridge; cross the bridge into VA and take the Washington Blvd. Exit; from Washington Blvd, take the Ft. Myers exit; see below
Take Ft. Myer Dr. to where it dead ends at the wall outside Arlington Cemetery. The gate to Ft. Myer will be within sight from there. You will need to show a photo ID to the guard at the gate. Proceed to the Officers' Club by driving up the hill, past the Parade Ground on the right, and then past the tennis courts on the right. Turn right into the parking lot just beyond the tennis courts. The Officers' Club is the building next to the swimming pool.
At a joint December 1999 meeting with the Washington, DC Chapter of the System Safety Society, Steve Corrie of the Engineering & Air Safety Department of the Air Line Pilots' Association talked about the impact of advanced technology in commercial aircraft operations. There is a place for such technology in the cockpit due to potential benefits in the areas of safety, reliability and performance. However, such technology must be properly integrated into the cockpit, and crew centered design principles must be applied. Overall, there are many benefits, but we must exercise caution in adding automation so that it is an aid, and not a hindrance, to crews.
Cockpit automation has introduced new types of human errors into the cockpit. Human error research identified problems in areas including situational awareness, mode awareness and workload management. Specific problem areas include autopilot/autoflight and flight control systems, flight management computers, electronic diagnostic displays, and autothrottles. To overcome these problems, Steve discussed the need for continuing human factors research by aviation organizations such as aircraft manufacturers, the FAA and NASA with input from pilot organizations.
Susan Van Hemel has taken a position at the National Research Council. Her new contact information is:
2101 Constitution Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20418
202 334 1791 (phone)
202 334 2584 (fax)
Bill Killam has joined UserWorks, Inc. as Vice President and a Principal Human Factors Engineer. His contact information is:
1738 Elton Road, Suite 138
Silver Spring, MD 20903
301-431-0500 (phone)
301-431-4834 (fax)
bkillam@userworks.com
I want to thank Jack Laveson for the fine job that he has done as the 1999 President of HFESPOC. I know that when I complete my term next year I will have an even deeper appreciation of Jack's efforts. In my experience, you must perform a job before you truly appreciate the effort and skills that are involved.
One of the difficulties of being President is that you have only a year to accomplish specific goals. It is difficult to achieve significant progress, as a year passes quickly. We have suffered an extreme drop-off in student membership. Jack conducted a survey to address this problem, and I would like to follow through on his results. We will be taking measures to increase both our student membership and the active participation of students in the chapter. I earnestly solicit the support of faculty members in these efforts.
We need to increase our overall membership, not just our student membership, however. Our membership has experienced significant drops once the policy of enforcing dues payments was introduced several years ago. So, I would like to express my gratitude to your payment of dues and to your continuing membership in the chapter. Your membership is most important. In addition to your continuing membership, however, I would also like to encourage your active participation in the chapter. Currently, we need new officers for the year 2001. We need to elect them now so that they can participate in the executive council in the coming year. We need to elect a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Director-at-large. Please consider running yourself, or nominating a colleague for office. Send these nominations to me.
I can assure you from personal experience that active participation is rewarding. I joined the chapter when I moved to the area in 1990. Initially, I attended meetings that were of interest to me. In 1996, however, I was elected Treasurer. In my first year as Treasurer-elect, I began attending Executive Council meetings. My next year, as Treasurer, gave me experience with the Chapter's finances. When I became Past-Treasurer I also assumed the responsibilities of the Membership/Directory chair. I found this another interesting position. This job has been assumed by Kris Knutson whom I hope derives as much satisfaction in the job as I did.
Membership in professional societies is important. I believe such membership is especially important in a field such as human factors/ergonomics as contrasted with fields such as law and medicine. The reason for this is that everyone is familiar with law and medicine, but very few people are aware of the field of human factors/ergonomics. I was deeply disappointed that the popular accounts of the recent IOM report on medical errors included no mention of the field of human factors/ergonomics and no mention of the extensive work of Sue Bogner (Human Error in Medicine [1994]. Bogner, M.S. (ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Hillsdale, NJ). For that matter, I am curious as to why the report is so newsworthy now. Sue Bogner's work made the same basic points, but, so far as I am aware, received little attention in the popular press. In my experience, there are many jobs that address human factors issues, but there seems to be limited awareness that there is a professional discipline that addresses these issues. Hence, I believe that membership in Human Factors/Ergonomics societies has special importance.
I should be thanking many throughout the year for their support to the chapter, but I want to acknowledge one individual for his continuing efforts. I am speaking of Dick Horst, the Newsletter Editor. As I was once the editor of the newsletter for the Training Technical Group, I can personally appreciate his efforts. He has been doing an outstanding job for several years, and I was most gratified when he agreed to continue as Editor.
Please contact me at any time regarding problems or questions. Ideas and suggestions are also most welcome. Volunteers are always welcome. If there is anything you would like to do for the chapter, please let me know.
Doug Griffith.
dkgriffith@erols.com
(703) 803 0100, x4120
The new chapter officers for Year 2000 will be installed at the January meeting. They are:
President - Doug Griffith
Secretary - Cliff Baker
Treasurer - John Ruffner
Kris Knutson will be assuming the responsibilities of Membership Chair. Please keep her informed about any changes in your contact information. The contact information for Kris is
Phone (703) 683 8430 X376
Fax (703) 836 6509
email KKNUTSON@DCSCORP.COM
Jack Laveson will take over the duties of Webmaster in maintaining the Chapter website - check it out at www.erols.com/hfespoc.
Note that the positions of Program Chair and Local Arrangements Chair are unfilled. The Program Chair coordinates speakers and other programs for Chapter meetings. The Local Arrangements Chair coordinates with the restaurants or other meeting places. Please consider volunteering for these important positions. They will keep you "in the know" about chapter activities and bring you into contact with a number of interesting professional colleagues.
Nominations for Year 2001 Officers should be submitted to Doug Griffith ASAP (see Incoming President's Message on the previous page).
The Annual Mid-Year Meeting with Division 21 is returning to D.C. The HFESPOC will be co-sponsoring the meeting with Division 21 of the APA. It will be held in Crystal City (the GWU Center) on Friday, March the 3rd. Dave Woods, Past HFES President will give the keynote address. Other speakers are Geoff Mumford of APA, Mike Wogalter, and Dave Kobus. Also presenting are Potomac Chapter members Sue Bogner and Dennis Serig. The meeting will conclude with a general discussion by Division 21 President Jim Callan, followed by a Cocktail Reception hosted by the Potomac Chapter. Please plan on attending.
Directions and Hotel Information
The George Washington University (GWU) Crystal City Center is located at Crystal Park 3 in Crystal City in Arlington, VA. Crystal City is a blue line stop on the Metro. After exiting the metro, follow the signs to Crystal Park 3. For those driving, see the accompanying map (CP3 is the target destination).
If you have additional questions, please contact
Doug Griffith
(703) 803 0100 x4120
dkgriffith@erols.com
Division 21 Mid-Year Meeting
Co-sponsored by the Potomac Chapter of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Registration Form
Name____________________________________________
Address__________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Phone____________________________________________
Email_____________________________________________
Registration Fee (Check One)
Advanced Registration (Mailed Prior to February 15) $40_____
Registration after 15 February $50_____
Student Registration $25______
Please make out the checks to APA Division 21
Mail to:
Astrid Schmidt-Nielson
417 7th St., NE
Washington, DC 20002
NIST Colloquium Series
January 21, 2000
10:30 am, Green Auditorium
Ben Shneiderman, Director, Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory, Department of Computer Science, University of Maryland, will speak at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD on January 21. The abstract of this talk follows. The talk is open to the public, parking is free and ample, and we love to have visitors. If you are coming, please let us know and we will look for you.
Barbara Coalmon
Deputy Dir. Secretary
Physics Laboratory
Tel: (301) 975-4203
Fax: (301) 975-3038
Email: coalmon@nist.gov
Abstract: Human perceptual skills are remarkable, but largely underutilized by current graphical user interfaces. The next generation of animated GUIs and visual data mining tools can provide users with remarkable capabilities if designers follow the visual information-seeking mantra: overview first, zoom and filter, then details-on-demand. Dynamic queries then allow user control of query widgets, such as sliders and buttons, that update the result set within 100 ms. Seven types of information visualizations (1-, 2-, and 3-d data, temporal and multi-dimensional data, and tree and network data) will be shown to illustrate NASA, National Library of Medicine, Census, and commercial applications.
13-15 July 2000, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
You are invited to attend the Second International Workshop on Internationalization of Products and Systems (IWIPS2000), at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland. Plan now to come during 13-15 July 2000 to network with colleagues about globalization and localization in industry, government, and academia.
Paper sessions, an internationalization tutorial, breakout forums, and a research-in-progress briefing will be accompanied by invited speakers from across the spectrum of globalization and localization. Each day will begin with a Continental breakfast, followed by single-track sessions highlighting problems faced by those responsible for the design and development of products and systems for global markets. During breaks, at the opening reception, and at the harborside dinner, you will be able to network with a wide variety of professionals in the field, from across the world.
The Call for Papers and Preliminary Schedule are available from Donald Day, chair of the local organizing committee (d.day@acm.org).
Submissions are due February 1, 2000, via e-mail attachment to Elisa delGaldo (Elisa_delgaldo@ctp.com), Chair of the International Program Committee.
Presented by the NASA Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications and the National Institute on Aging
January 27-28, 2000
NASA Headquarters and National Institutes of Health
Washington, D.C. and Bethesda, Maryland
You are invited to attend a symposium sponsored by both the Office of Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications (OLMSA) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Institute of Aging (NIA) on the results of the STS 95 Shuttle flight. This mission's unique research consisted of over 80 experiments from universities and private industry interested in engineering, space sciences, and life and biological sciences. The OLMSA and NIA sponsored 46 investigations, which encompassed both in-flight and ground based, pre- and post-flight experiments in the field of Microgravity, life and biological sciences.
The goal of this symposium is to present the research results to the scientific community and the general public. There was a great deal of interest in the flight, especially in the area of "healthy aging", in large part due to the presence of Senator Glenn, a role model to America's older population. This symposium will discuss the results of American and International experiments aboard the mission that are sponsored by or done in collaboration with OLMSA. To the extent possible within the laws governing disclosure of such research, health and physiology results on the crew will be presented.
The symposium will begin on the morning of January 27th at 9:45 a.m. in the NASA auditorium. There will be a press conference at NASA Headquarters at 1:30 p.m. with Senator John Glenn and the crew and some investigators. The symposium will continue until about 4:00 p.m. The crew will present an overview of the mission and show a movie of this exciting mission at 7:30 p.m. at the Natcher Conference Center at NIH, Building 45, Bethesda, MD. A map to the Natcher Center can be found at the website below:
http://health.info.nih.gov/forum99/Natcher.jpg
You are also invited to attend the second day of the symposium, January 28th, which will be devoted to individual investigation results primarily in the area sponsored by the Life Sciences Division of NASA in collaboration with the NIA. The sessions will be held in the Masur Auditorium of the NIH Clinical Center, Building 10. The agenda of the symposium will be posted on the web at:
http://peer1.idi.usra.edu/peer_review/workshop/sts/stsagenda.html
Pre-mission highlights can be found on the web at:
http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/sts-95/mission-sts-95.html
January 25-26, 2000
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, Maryland
"Pervasive Computing" is the strongly emerging trend toward:
Numerous, casually accessible, often invisible computing devices
Mobile or embedded in the environment
Connected to an increasingly ubiquitous network structure
Sponsors: NIST/Information Technology Laboratory and the Internet Society
Attendees: Will have a vital interest in Pervasive Computing. Many will represent companies actively engaged in research, planning and development of Pervasive Computing products, services and/or applications. Others will represent academic, not-for-profit or government research interests, and the general community
Why You Should Attend:
Who Should Attend? Anyone who expects to be a stakeholder in the Pervasive Computing era. Specific value is seen for management-level decision makers who oversee such functions as product line strategy, research and development laboratories, or new business development. Depending upon the organization, titles might be: CEO, VP Strategic Planning, Laboratory Director VP, New Business Development, Product Development, Manager, Engineer, Scientist.
Format: Two day conference, with off-site reception and exhibits.
Topics: Human-computer interaction, pico-cellular wireless, multimedia information access, service discovery, human-centered integration and interoperability, programming pervasive computing applications, and innovative pervasive computing devices.
To Register: Contact Teresa Vicente, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 3461, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-3461, phone: 301.975.3883, fax: 301.948.2067, e-mail:teresa.vicente@nist.gov.
Technical Contact: Bill Young, NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8940, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8940, phone: 301.975.8701, fax: 301.975.5287, e-mail: wtyoung@nist.gov
Registration Fee: $200 includes conference materials, refreshments during coffee breaks, lunches and the evening reception
Conference Chairs:
Mr. Alden Dima, Computer Scientist, Software Diagnostics and Conformance Testing Division
Dr. Martin Herman, Chief, Information Access and User Interfaces Division
Dr. Kevin Mills, Chief, Advanced Network Technologies Division
HCI Technologist/Developer, American Management Systems
AMS's Center for Advanced Technologies (AMSCAT) in Fairfax, VA has a new opportunity for an experienced HCI technologist with strong development and management skills in the Advanced User Interfaces Lab and the Web Interfaces Lab. Through the AMSCAT Usability Engineering (UE) Special Studies program, members of these Labs provide a full range of usability engineering services to ensure that AMS systems are usable. System designers and developers work with UE team experts who draw on backgrounds in human factors, software engineering, user interface design, Web technologies, information technologies, psychology, linguistics, biomedical engineering, usability evaluation and other relevant areas to promote usability in AMS products. This team is seeking a new member who can bridge between development and usability efforts.
Each team member spends approximately half of his or her time working with project teams and half doing research. The Internet is a focus of much of the UE team's work. Research goals include expanding the definition of human-computer interface to include anything and everything a user experiences in accomplishing goals with a computer. Current research areas include navigation, information appliances, biometrics, special needs, and ubiquitous computing and natural language technologies. The new team member will have the opportunity to participate in driving the direction of this research into new areas.
Position Description
* Facilitate communication between usability engineers and software developers
* Design and develop web demonstrations (including requirements analysis and design recommendations) that meet human factors criteria
* Lead and conduct research into issues in human-computer interaction
* Lead and participate in usability evaluations (including working with project developers to determine goals of evaluation, and preparing evaluation materials such as questionnaires and scenarios)
* Report findings of evaluations
* Consult on user-interface design and development
* Perform product evaluations
Requirements
* Demonstrated management skills: ability to communicate with team members and clients, ability to write plans, research papers and reports
* Experience in business-critical system development
* Three years of experience in client/server application development, using 4GL tools such as Visual Basic with at least one year experience in internet projects using HTML, JavaScript or ASP
* At least three years hands-on experience in human-computer interface design and development
* Usability Engineering experience or course work, especially in the area of Human Computer Interaction (HCI)
* Experience with one or more of the following development tools: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe PageMill, Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia FireWorks, FrontPage, Macromedia Dreamweaver, Macromedia Flash, RoboHELP
For more information on AMS, please see our home page at www.amsinc.com/amscat.
Contact : kelly_donnelly@amsinc.com
Human Factors Engineer/Analyst, DCS Corporation
LOCATION: Alexandria, VA, Patuxent River, MD
SALARY: Negotiated based on qualifications and experience.
REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS: Advanced degree in Human Factors or related area, with at least 8 years experience in an applied setting. Candidate must be experienced in providing Human Factors Engineering support for hardware and software systems development to achieve program objectives. Will participate in IPT environment in support of development programs. The position requires experience in the generation and execution of Human Factors Program plans, HFE test and evaluation plans, review of technical material for HFE implications, directing HFE efforts using assets that may be drawn from several organizations, participating in program and design reviews, performing HFE analyses to support the development of systems to execute an operational concept, and evaluating HFE products delivered by other organizations. Experience with the government acquisition procedures and documentation, including specifications and statements of work, and the ability to develop, review, and revise the documentation is also required. Desired experience will include (depending on job position):
* Air traffic control and air traffic management (FAA)
* Driving systems
* Cockpit avionics, sensor, display integration / user interface.
The position requires working closely with the customer, operational users, maintainers, vendors, and R&D organizations. For further information contact:
Dr. John W. Ruffner
Human Factors Engineer
DCS Corporation
(703) 683-8430 x243
jruffner@dcscorp.com
Ergonomist/Human Factors, ERGOWORKS Consulting
ERGOWORKS Consulting is looking for the services of a Ergonomist/Human Factors individual with a teaching background in ergonomics. Interested individual must have exceptional public speaking skills for presenting Ergonomic/Safety Seminars in a small group setting. In addition, this person must be able to meet 1 on 1 to perform individual ergonomic workstation analysis with a complementing written report. Individual may be required to travel to a variety of employer worksites throughout the Washington Metro area. CPE or CPEE designation a plus.
Interested individuals should fax resume with salary range and references to the attention of:
Zack Koutsandreas
(301)
294-3097
Human Factors Professional, Federal Data Corporation
Federal Data Corporation is looking for several senior, Senior, mid and entry level human factors professionals with a Ph.D. or MA/MS, and will consider BS/BA, to support a research program in the area of Civil Aviation Air Traffic Control and Aviation Security. We are currently supporting both those programs with multi-year contracts in both Washington, D. C. and at the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center located near Atlantic City, NJ.
In the Washington area we are particularly looking for a senior level person, with at least 10 years experience to run a HF/training program for us.
Ronald D. Lyons Ph.DUsability Manager; Project Manager II/Freddie Mac (Req Code : 1999-R1598)
Freddie Mac is looking for an experienced usability manager to help establish and manage a usability group. Freddie Mac is a leader in the secondary mortgage market. Freddie Mac buys mortgages from mortgage lenders, such as commercial banks, mortgage bankers, savings institutions, and credit unions so they, in turn, have more money to lend to homebuyers.
Position Location: McLean, VA
Critical Skills:
* Proven ability to conceptualize and visualize interfaces through sketches, storyboards, and working prototypes.
* Up-to-date familiarity with the latest research and recommended practices in human-computer interaction, usability engineering, and software development.
* Excellent oral and written communication skills.
* Ability to manage multiple product usability projects.
* Proven interview and observation skills.
* Proven ability to multitask amongst many projects.
* Proficiency with video and other lab equipment
* Ability to communicate well with end-users, programmers, managers, and business analysts.
* Ability to manage a team of business analysts and other team members.
* Ability to travel.
Key Responsibilities:
* Develop the usability project plans and schedules
* Conduct user and task analyses, and create prototypes that will be used to evaluate user interfaces, as well as participate in the evaluation process.
* Communicate user requirements and usability goals to managers, programmers, designers, trainers, and documentation writers through presentations and written reports.
* Report the results of usability testing to senior management and development group; suggest ways to improve the product based on results.
* Plan and conduct research studies of users, their tasks, workflow, and environment through field observations, interviews, and focus groups.
* Analyze research findings to create user requirements and scenarios that will guide product development.
* Work closely with senior management to set project goals, timelines, and resource allocation plans to ensure sufficient consideration of usability issues.
* Provide various levels of support for multiple projects and contribute to internal and external usability projects.
* Work with senior management and project team to set standards for usability and determine the procedures for measuring a product's usability.
* Conduct user and task analysis and usability tests at customer sites to evaluate workflow issues with our product and their working environment.
Work Experience:
* Two to three years mortgage industry experience (desired).
* Experience in Interface Design, Information Architecture, Human Factors, or Human-Computer Interaction.
* Experience in working on interactive design projects such as Web-based applications, internet sites, and GUI application interfaces.
* Experience in user and task analysis and in conducting usability testing. Thorough understanding of and experience with usability methodologies and processes.
* Proven management skills.
Education:
* Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required. - Minimum
* Master's in Human Factors or other relevant disciplines preferred.
To apply, send a letter and resume to recruiter04@freddiemac.com
Human-Computer Interaction Designer, GE Information Services
Background:
GE Information Services, Inc. is currently seeking applicants to fill a Human-Computer Interaction Designer position in its Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and Brentwood, Tennessee offices. GE Information Services is a leading, worldwide provider of electronic commerce services such as Extranets, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), electronic catalogs, and messaging. The Usability Engineering group designs, develops, consults, and tests user interfaces, documentation, on-line help, and end-user training materials of commercial products on various delivery platforms (e.g., WWW and Windows 95).
Position Description:
As a Human-Computer Interaction Designer, you will need an understanding of human factors principles related to computer software development and an ability to apply them in fast-paced development environments. You may be responsible for the full range of activities related to designing human computer interfaces, including:
* Designing user interfaces by developing prototypes and facilitating their implementation with the end goal of optimizing ease of learning, ease of use, and compatibility with other software in the GE Information Services product suite;
* Conducting focus groups and performing contextual inquiries with users;
* Gathering user requirements and creating usability goals;
* Designing and conducting usability tests;
* Analyzing and reporting test results;
* Conducting heuristic evaluations;
* Producing and prioritizing recommendations for reducing usability problems;
* Delivering test results/recommendations to cross-functional product development teams and software vendors
Requirements:
* Masters degree in Experimental or Cognitive Psychology, Human Factors Engineering or related field. Ph.D. preferred.
* Demonstrated knowledge of human-computer interface design principles and user-centered design.
* Demonstrated leadership ability as well as being a strong team player.
* Understanding of software development processes.
* Good written and oral communication skills.
* Ability to effectively manage multiple activities in a dynamic environment.
* Familiarity with standard industry user interface platform guidelines. Familiarity with emerging internet standards such as HTML and JAVA highly desirable.
* Experience with web-based applications and various web browsers.
* Experience with rapid prototyping tools(such as Visual Basic) a plus.
* Skills in experimental design and behavioral observation desirable.
Please contact:
Margaret A. Brown
Usability Engineering Manager
GE Information Services
100 Edison Park Dr. MS 4-1B2
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
(301) 340-4443
Fax (301) 340-4067
Email:margaret.brown@geis.ge.com
Research Psychologist, Psychology Department, George Mason University
The Department of Psychology at George Mason University has an immediate opening for a full time researcher to work onsite at Turner-Fairbanks Research Center. In this position, research will be conducted on highway safety and intelligent transportation systems issues. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology or related area and experience developing cognitive theory in the context of surface transportation problems.
George Mason University is located approx. 15 miles SW of Washington, DC and is the newest university in the Virginia state system. The psychology department has Ph.D. programs in applied cognitive psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, developmental, and clinical psychology. The successful candidate will join the faculty of the Human Factors and Applied Cognitive Program.
Applications will be evaluated starting on January 4, 2000, and will continue until a suitable candidate is found for this position. A vita, three letters of recommendation, a brief statement of research and teaching interests, and copies of relevant preprints/reprints should be sent to: Research Psychologist Search Committee, George Mason University, MSN 2E5, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444. For more information about the Human Factors & Applied Cognitive Program, see our web page: http://www.hfac.gmu.edu.
We encourage applications from women and minority candidates. George Mason University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Graduate Research Assistanships, George Mason University
University has a number of graduate research assistantships (GRAs) available for new students beginning in Fall 2000. The GRAs will be members of the ARCH Lab (Applied Research in Cognition and Human Factors). The graduate support is based on research grants to ARCH Lab faculty. Current projects include investigations of interface design on cognitive workload, performance of commercial airline pilots, cognitive basis for error in routine performance, situation assessment by submarine commanders, reasoning by scientists about their data, scientific visualization, and complex cognition.
The GRAs are primarily intended for doctoral training; however, qualified masters students with an interest in research may apply as well.
For more information, contact Wayne Gray (gray@gmu.edu) or visit the HFAC Program website at http://hfac.gmu.edu.
Information Architect, iXL
Job Description: Designs user-centered Web-based and multimedia solutions for iXL clients, including applying user-centered analysis and evaluation techniques to determine effective design specifications.
Company Description: iXL offers a comprehensive set of strategic Internet services and creates lasting business partnerships. We offer a full range of interactive and multimedia services which can assist any business in creating a solid interactive media foundation. Our reputation for customer service and client satisfaction is unequaled in the new media industry. We are looking for highly motivated people who want to work for the fastest growing and most exciting new media company in America. For more information about iXL, please see our Web site at http://www.ixl.com.
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree + 5 years experience in related field - Experience with leading clients through the definition and design phases of Web and multimedia projects - Experience determining requirements, writing design specifications, and prototyping - Strong interpersonal skills: communication, leadership ability, ability to follow instructions, attention to detail, and positive attitude - Experience in user and task analysis, solution architecture and user interface design, including organization of information and navigation rules is required.
Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree in related field + 3 years experience - Experience designing user interfaces for E-Commerce solutions, Knowledge Management Systems, Automated Procurement Systems or other interactive business applications.
Contact:
Kristin Krahl, Information Architect
iXL-DC
1919 Gallows Road, 10th floor
Vienna, VA 22182
703.848.2700
kkrahl@ixl.com
Cancer Research Training Award Fellowship, National Cancer Institute's International Cancer Information Ctr.
The Usability Office of the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) International Cancer Information Center announces a Cancer Research Training Award (CRTA) Fellowship. The Fellow will assist in a wide range of usability design and testing activities including: identifying user groups and designing data collection instruments; creating user interface designs and prototypes for cancer Web sites and other health communication technologies; designing and conducting usability tests at various stages of the development process at testing facilities across the country; analyzing and reporting test results; and developing usability guidelines.
Applicants should hold a graduate degree in human-computer interaction, cognitive psychology, communications, human factors, education, or information dissemination with an emphasis on electronic information transfer and user interface design and engineering. Fellowships are awarded for an initial 2-year period, with potential for renewal up to 5 years. Fellows receive a stipend commensurate with his or her education and experience ($22,000 - $27,000). Benefits include health insurance, paid Federal holidays, and travel when appropriate. Fax (301-480-8105) or mail resume, a statement of interest explaining why you are interested in the CRTA Fellowship program, and three references to:
Sanjay Koyani
National Cancer Institute
9030 Old Georgetown Road
Bldg. 82, Room 103 B,
Bethesda, MD 20814
NCI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Research Scientist, Veridian/ERIM International
Veridian/ERIM International, a recognized world-wide leader in cutting edge technologies related to imaging systems, information extraction, knowledge generation and dissemination, is seeking a Research Scientist to work in our office in Chantilly, VA.
The responsibilities will include performing statistical data analysis for imagery evaluations, conducting algorithm validation for different scientific models, and leading one or more evaluation projects.
The successful candidate should have a current TS/SCI clearance. A Master's degree is acceptable, but a Ph.D. is preferred. Relevant disciplines include, engineering/experimental/educational or I/O psychology, statistics, applied operations research, or applied mathematics.
Please visit our website at www.erim-int.com
Please send resumes to:
Pbecker@erim-int.com or dougg@erim-int.com.
Mail to:
Veridian/ERIM International
P.O. Box 134008
3300 Plymouth Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48113-4006
US Citizenship required. Veridian/ERIM International is an equal opportunity employer.
Signs That You've Had Too Much Of The '90s:
1. You try to enter your password on the microwave.
2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.
3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of 3.
4. You e-mail your buddy who works at the desk next to you.
5. You chat several times a day with a stranger from South America, but you haven't spoken to your next door neighbor yet this year.
6. You buy a computer and a week later it is out of date.
7. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends is that they do not have e-mail addresses.
8. You consider the U.S. Mail painfully slow and/or call it "snail mail".
9. Your idea of being organized is multiple colored post-it notes.
10. You hear most of your jokes via email instead of in person.
11. When you go home after a long day at work you still answer the phone in a business manner.
12. When you make phone calls from home, you accidentally insert a "9" to get an outside line.
13. You've sat at the same desk for four years and worked for three different companies.
14. Your company's welcome sign is attached with Velcro.
15. Your resume is on a diskette in your pocket.
16. You really get excited about a 1.7% pay rise.
17. You learn about your redundancy on the 11o'clock news.
18. Your biggest loss from a system crash was when you lost all of your best jokes.
19. Your supervisor doesn't have the ability to do your job.
20. Contractors outnumber permanent staff and are more likely to get long-service awards.
21. Board members salaries are higher than all the Third World countries annual budgets combined.
22. It's dark when you drive to and from work, even in the summer.
23. You know exactly how many days you've got left until you retire.
24. Interviewees, despite not having the relevant knowledge or experience, terminate the interview when told of the starting salary.
25. You see a good looking, smart person and you know it must be a visitor.
26. Free food left over from meetings is your staple diet.
27. Your supervisor gets a brand-new state-of-the-art laptop with all the latest features, while you have time to go for lunch while yours boots up.
28. Being sick is defined as you can't walk or you're in hospital.
29. You're already late on the assignment you just got.
30. There's no money in the budget for the five permanent staff your department is short of, but they can afford four full-time management consultants advising your boss's boss on strategy.
31. Vacation time is something you roll over to the next year.
32. Every week another brown collection envelope comes around because someone you DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WORKED THERE is leaving.
33. Your relatives and family describe your job as "works with computers".
34. The only reason you recognize your kids is because their pictures are on your desk.
35. You only have makeup for fluorescent lighting.
AND THE CLINCHERS ARE:
36. You read this entire list, and kept nodding and smiling.
37. As you read this list, you think about forwarding it to your boss.
President
Doug Griffith
ERIM
Phone: (703) 803-0100, x4120
email:
dgriffith@erols.com
Awards
Tyson Rose
IBM/ISSC
Phone: (301) 803-3378
email: ctrose@vnet.ibm.com
Membership/Directory
Kris Knutson
DCS Corporation
Phone: (703) 683-8430
email: kknutson@dcscorp.com
Newsletter
Dick Horst
UserWorks, Inc.
Phone: (301) 431-0500
email: dhorst@userworks.com
Student Affairs
Sheryl Miller
George Mason University
Phone: (703) 993-4667
email: smiller@osfl.gmu.edu
Public Affairs/Corporate Membership
Kris Knutson
DCS Corporation
Phone: (703) 683-8430
email: kknutson@dcscorp.com
Program
Vacant
Phone:
email:
Home Page
Jack Laveson
Integrated Systems Research
Phone: (703) 642-3677
email: j.l.laveson@ieee.org
Local Arrangements
Vacant
Phone:
email:
Recent Meetings:
January, 1999
Debbie Boehm-Davis, "Tour of George Mason University's Applied Research in Cognition and Human Factors Lab"
March, 1999
Bob Ochsman, "Human Factors Management - A View from the Manager's Perspective"
April, 1999
Lawrence Sklar, "Foundations of the Theory of Machine Learning"
May, 1999
Tom Granda, "FHWA's Human Centered Systems Program at THFRC"
June 29, 1999
Tour of National Airport tower/TRACON visit
September 22, 1999
Larry Schleifer, "Field Evaluation of Supplemental Work Breaks"
October 27, 1999
Jake Pauls, "Safety of Stair Design"
December 8, 1999
Steve Corrie, "A Pilot's Perspective on Human Factors in Automation"
Coming Attractions:
January 26, 2000
Mike Fineberg, "A New Vision for CSERIAC: The Right Information to the Right People at the Right Time"
