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Updated: Nov 16
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NewsletterUpdated: Nov 16 |
| November '99 | Volume 34 Number 8 |
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http://www.erols.com/hfespoc |
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This might seem to be a human factors success story but for the fact that no ergonomists were mentioned in the article. Further, checking a current as well as 10-year-old HFES directory (about the time OXO was started), I could find no listing for Smart Design. This suggests, but does not prove, that ergonomists were not involved. What finally convinced me of a lack of HF involvement was the way that a new product, a spatula, was tested. A single manager evaluated prototypes by scraping batter. That person needed to make a decision, and stated, "There’s no magic formula to it. A lot of it’s a gut feeling..." (page F11).
While it is unfortunate that there appears to be a lack of ergonomic practice that clearly would have improved the design, test, and evaluation process, the OXO products work quite well. Their scissors, which I happen to use, are better, but not perfect, from an ergonomic standpoint than anything else that I’ve used. So where does this leave the HF community? The answer is "business as usual," where people use HF concepts such as user friendliness and usability, but don’t really have an understanding of what is involved.
Jack Laveson
Meeting Date: Wednesday, December 8, 1999
5:30-6:00 Social Time (Cash Bar)
6:00-6:45 Dinner
6:45 Presentation
Mike Hayes
Mr. Hayes is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in Human Factors Engineering. He was a C-130 pilot, and Instructor Pilot for the Euro-NATO Pilot training program. Since 1987, he has been a Delta Air Lines’ pilot and is currently a 767/757 Instructor Pilot flying both domestically and internationally. Mike has published research with NASA-Ames and NASA-UT on a variety of Aviation Human Factors topics. He works as a volunteer on the Air Line Pilots’ Association's Human Factors and Training Committee where he was the chairman of that committee from 1995 to 1998. Mike also was the Vice-Chairman of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Association Human Performance Committee (Medical, Training and Human Factors Engineering), and chaired the Aviation Automation Subcommittee of SAE G-10.
"A Commercial Pilot’s Perspective on the Impact of Advanced System Design in Aircraft Operations"
A host of new systems are being used or are planned for use in commercial aircraft. These include an Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System; TCAS: traffic collision avoidance system; HUD's: head up displays; hybrid cockpit setups; and Active Noise Reducing Headsets. Each offers the potential to improve safety and performance, but this can only occur if such systems are properly integrated into cockpit operations without overloading existing pilot duties. Our speaker, Mike Hayes, will describe the impact of these systems on the flight deck from both an operational and training perspective.
$5.00 members and guests (student members – no charge)
Pizza and beverage.
Directions:
DIRECTIONS BY METRO
To reach AOT take the blue or yellow line to the Crystal City Metro stop. Follow signs in the Underground Mall or walk east to, and cross-over, Crystal Drive. Then walk South until you reach the 3rd Crystal Park building on the left. Take elevators to 11th floor. AOT’s offices are across from Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. For further directions, call Ward West (703) 769-4739.
DIRECTIONS BY CAR
To reach AOT from the Pentagon area go south on Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. Route 1); left on 23rd Street; and straight into the Parking Garage. Bear left to "Visitor Parking" and follow signs to "Crystal Park 1, 2, and 3." Look for sign "Crystal Park Three Elevators." AOT’s offices are located on the 11th floor of Crystal Park Three across from Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. For further directions, call Ward West (703) 769-4739.
After years of use it would be reasonable that stairway problems have been worked out, but Jake Pauls graphically demonstrated that this is not the case at our September meeting. Stairway related injury costs for 1995 were $50 billion (including medical, productivity, and quality of life losses). This impact is the same as for illegal drugs, firearms and cigarettes. Further, corrected for exposure, stairways are more dangerous than motor vehicles and commercial aircraft.
A major reason for stairway injuries is the lack of a user’s awareness of the problems associated with stairs. There are three problem areas – visibility, sizing, and handrails.
Jake showed examples of stairway "missteps" (a term he prefers to slips as an accident description). Missteps were related to both inconsistent riser heights and inadequate tread depth. The best safety device to prevent such missteps was the use of handrails. Thus, Jake proposed that commercial handrail criteria should be applied to homes.
Correcting stairway problems will not be easy. There are many non-technical factors involved. These factors include economics, social and political issues. A major industry group, the building industry, is opposed to the costs (although nominal) of better stairway design, that is, using minimum commercial code requirements; Jake showed that their cost arguments are spurious. In addition, the building industry has a large amount of political clout related to standards activities.
Jake concluded with a few suggestions for fixing existing stairs:
Nominations are being solicited for new chapter officers who will start their terms of office on January 1, 2001. If you or someone you know is interested in one of the following positions, please advise Jack Laveson (address below) for further information by November 30, 1999:
As mentioned last month, with a new baby in-hand, Penny Church, who has served as the Potomac Chapter’s webmaster for the last few years, is finding it necessary to give up this responsibility. Penny will remain on-board through the end of the year, but as of January, 2000 we need someone new to assume these duties. Penny will work with the new person to coordinate moving the web site work files to his/her PC and updating the Erols account so that the new Webmaster can log in and update the website on the server. Penny has been using FrontPage 97 as the website editor, but any html editor should work fine. Penny mentions that, "This website has provided me with great experience that I’ve been able to apply to my professional work, which is what I hoped for when I started. Now that my life priorities have changed, I need to pass this opportunity on to someone else." Interested candidates should contact the Chapter President, Jack Laveson, at (703) 642-3677 or by e-mail at j.i.laveson@ieee.org. Many thanks to Penny for her service to the Chapter.
Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology has launched a free online survey service on the Web. Users can create, edit, publish on the Web, and tally an electronic survey. Users can also include an electronic cover letter with the survey. The survey program is one of the Center's free offerings to area businesses. The survey service is available at: http://intercom.virginia.edu/surveysuite. Thanks to Kris Knutson for making us aware of this.
The November DC_CHI meeting will be held on November 15, at GEIS, Rockville, MD. GE Information Services creates solutions for the E-Commerce Intelligent Supply Chain and, to do this, understands the importance of usability to critical business applications. At GEIS Usability Engineering we apply a number of practices, which increase usability and decrease support costs, to the development of our software. These practices include:
| Contextual Inquiry | Expert Reviews |
| Competitive Product Evaluations | User Interface Design |
| User Interface Style Guide Development | Focus Group |
| Task Analysis | Prototyping |
| Documentation Design | User Interface Classes |
Heather Tedesco and Brian Stanton will be giving a lab tour and an overview of testing procedures. The meeting will start at 7:30. Please reply to: emile.morse@nist.gov by Friday noon, Nov. 12th if you will attend.
We will be arranging a dinner at the That's Amore, Italian Restaurant at 15201 Shady Grove Road, Rockville MD 301-670-9666. Dinner will be served promptly at 6:30 - plan to arrive by 6:15. The cost of dinner will be around $17- with tax and tip. Please let Emile know if you're going to join us for dinner and select one of the following:
- Rigatoni Fornaia (pasta with pesto, ricotta and fresh diced tomato)
- Spaghetti Bolognese (traditional meat sauce)
- Chicken Limone (with butter, garlic, and fresh lemon)
All entrees will be served with Italian salad.
Third 1999-2000 Meeting of the National Capital Section of the Optical
Society of America
Tuesday, 16 November 1999
"UBIQUITOUS IMAGING"
Tom Strat, DiamondBack Systems, Inc.
ABSTRACT
Digital video cameras are becoming incredibly inexpensive. Computer processing power is fast and cheap enough to perform complex operations in real-time on live video. As a result, novel opportunities for employing artificial vision systems are emerging. This talk will explore some of the possible applications, and survey the state-of-the-art in video understanding. Video demos will be shown.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER -
Dr. Thomas M. Strat is co-founder and Vice President of DiamondBack Systems, Inc., an Internet start-up that is enabling the video revolution through application of image understanding techniques to video processing. DiamondBack Systems, Inc. was featured in the Business Section of the October 28 issue of the Washington Post.
Until recently, Dr. Strat was Assistant Director of the DARPA Information Systems Office, with responsibility for DARPA’s Sensor Exploitation programs. He has served as Program Manager of the DARPA Image Understanding Program, he initiated the DARPA Airborne Video Surveillance Program, and is the originator of the Bosnian Cantonment Area Monitoring System (BCAMS), which is currently in operational use in Europe. Previously, Dr. Strat spent 12 years as a research scientist and Project Leader in the SRI Artificial Intelligence Center, where he designed and implemented computer vision and evidential reasoning systems. Dr. Strat has also served 6 years on active duty in the US Army serving in both tactical and strategic assignments as a military intelligence officer. Dr. Strat received the B.S., M.S., and E.E. degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from M.I.T., and the Ph.D. degree in Computer Science from Stanford University.
The Lecture will be at the OSA headquarters, 2010 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC, [First Floor Conference Room] preceded by a social hour & dinner at Sala Thai Restaurant, 2016 P St, NW, DC. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR DINNER by 12:00 Noon, Monday 15 November 1999
To make reservations or for more information. Please contact:
Bert Pasquale - Work:(301)902-4110; Home:(301)474-6814
E-Mail: pasquale@swales.com or bertman@graceweb.org
or
John Hornstein - Work:(202)767-0766; Home:(301))593-1095
E-Mail: hornstei@poamb.nrl.navy.mil
"Partnerships for Influencing Public Policy on the Behavioral and Social Sciences: A View for the Future"
Presented by:
Dr. Richard McCarty
Executive Director for Science, American Psychological Association and Professor of
Psychology, University of Virginia
Monday, November 15, 1999, 7:30 PM
Assembly Room B, George Johnson Center
Advancing the behavioral and social science disciplines requires an active collaboration between scientists, their national scientific and professional associations, and the public. Key issues include advocacy for increases in research support, creation of a stable environment for the conduct of research and the involvement of individual scientists in advocacy and public outreach. One model for this type of collaboration will be presented with a brief discussion of the American Psychological Association. The Decade of Behavior initiative will be described as one view of the future where the resources of the behavioral and social sciences can be employed to address many of the major challenges facing our nation as we prepare to enter the twenty-first century.
Biographical Information on Richard McCarty, Ph.D.
Currently the Executive Director for Science at the American Psychological Association in
Washington, D.C., Richard McCarty previously served for eight years as Chair of the
Department of Psychology at the University of Virginia, where he started his career as a
junior faculty member in 1978. He received his undergraduate training at Old Dominion
University in Norfolk, Virginia and his Ph.D. in 1976 from The Johns Hopkins University.
He was a postdoctoral fellow in neuroscience at the National Institutes of Health from
1976-1978. McCarty has returned to conduct research at the National Institutes of Health
on two occasions during sabbatical leaves from his faculty position. He was the recipient
of a Research Scientist Development Award from the National Institute of Mental Health
from 1985-1990. He is currently Editor-in-Chief of the international journal, STRESS. He
has served as Chair of the Executive Board of the Council of Graduate Departments of
Psychology and has been an organizer of several international symposia. McCarty is a
fellow of several scientific societies, including the Society for Behavioral Medicine, the
Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research, the International Institute of Stress, and the
American Psychological Society. He has authored numerous journal articles in his two
primary areas of research: the physiology of stress and the development of experimental
hypertension. He has also edited six volumes in the fields of psychobiology and
neuroscience research.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, in conjunction with the Naval Research Lab (NRL) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is sponsoring a workshop on: "Formal Approaches to Agent-Based Systems" in April, 2000. Details on the workshop can be found at: http://fmw.gsfc.nasa.gov
History Keeping in Computer Applications: a Workshop
Friday, December 3, 1999
Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory
University of Maryland at College Park
Room 2120 - A.V. Williams building
OVERVIEW
History-keeping has long been a part of many types of interactive systems. In their
simplest form, histories permit user actions to be logged and recorded, making them
accessible in various ways for recovery and backtracking. With the advent of interactive
systems and networking, rich history mechanisms have become essential for applications
where navigation and orientation are critical. Various strategies have been developed for
history dynamics in browser programs and for temporally-based history visualization.
Current research in learning histories considers the hypothesis that providing learners
with a readable record of their actions may help them monitor their behavior and reflect
on their progress. Moreover, histories can facilitate active collaboration among dispersed
learning communities
The University of Maryland Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory (HCIL) has been working on histories and is organizing a workshop (with a maximum of 25 participants) to help consolidate this emerging topic. We invite active researchers to come to College Park to present their work and discuss future directions.
We are planning a program that will include:
- The Future of History (Ben Shneiderman)
- History in Web Browsing and Image Browsing (Ben Bederson)
- The Learning Historian (Anne Rose and Catherine Plaisant)
- Search Histories for User Support in Information Seeking Interfaces (Anita Komlodi)
- Client-Server Architecture for Rich Visual History Interfaces (Richard Salter).
Potential participants are invited to send an application letter describing their work and offering a title and abstract of the talk they would like to present. Please e-mail letter to Richard Salter <rms@cs.umd.edu> by Monday, November 15, 1999. Abstracts will be collected into a program and distributed to participants.
ARRANGEMENTS
There is no charge to participants. Refreshments and copying of handouts will be paid for
by HCIL.
Location: The workshop will be held in ROOM 2120 (UMIACS conference room) in the A. V. Williams Building where the HCIL facilities are located on the College Park campus. If you plan to drive a car, send your postal address to Janet Sumida <sumida@cs.umd.edu> and she can mail you a parking permit for a lot near the building.
Hotels, travel: Participants will be responsible for their travel and housing. The campus is just northeast of Washington, DC (taxi or Metro ride from National or Dulles Airports) and 25 miles south of Baltimore-Washington Airport. We are close to Amtrak's Washington, DC and New Carrollton, MD stations. A block of rooms has been reserved at the University of Maryland University College Inn and Conference Center, located on campus .
Equipment for talks: There is a 1024 x 768 computer projector for PC-based presentations and demos, an overhead projector and a TV for showing videos. We will have a good quality IBM PC portable in the room as well. If you need 35mm slides or access to a machine for demos in the lab, let us know in advance and we will try to arrange it. Our lab has PCs, Macs and Sun Workstations; other types of machines can probably be found in the building.
Handouts: If you have brief materials you want to handout to participants, bring a good original and we will make copies, or contact Janet Sumida (sumida@cs.umd.edu) in advance.
Contact telephone during the day: Janet Sumida's number is (301) 405-2769, UMIACS general telephone number is (301) 405-6722. For questions and special needs contact HCIL secretary Janet Sumida <sumida@cs.umd.edu>.
WORKSHOP ORGANIZERS
Richard Salter, Ben Shneiderman, Ben Bederson, Gary Rubloff, Catherine Plaisant, Anne Rose
Sponsored by HCIL, UMIACS and ISR
** For more information see our Web page **
http://www.cs.umd.edu/hcil/about/events/history-workshop/
The
2000 Liberty Mutual Prize and Medal in Ergonomics
and Occupational Safety
A prize of US $5,000 is being offered by the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company to recognize outstanding original research leading to the reduction or mitigation of work-related injuries and/or to the advancement of theory, understanding and development of occupational safety research.
To be considered for the Liberty Mutual Prize, the applicant must submit a letter of application and a research paper. The paper must be:
- An original report of laboratory, field, or intervention research
- Relevant to the field of occupational safety and ergonomics
- Non-proprietary
- Unpublished at the time of submission
- Thirty pages or fewer, single spaced.
Relevant disciplines include: ergonomics, epidemiology, biomechanics, cognitive and behavioral psychology, design, physiology, economics and optimization, and so forth.
In addition, the Liberty Mutual Medal in Ergonomics and Occupational Safety will be bestowed in year 2000. This is given to the best of the three awardees during the last three years: 1998, 1999, and 2000. This award consists of a medal and US $15,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the purpose of the prize?
The purpose of the prize is to recognize individuals whose efforts have contributed the
reduction or mitigation of work-related injuries. In particular, the prize is awarded to
recognize original research leading to a better understanding of avoiding or mitigating,
occupational accidents or injuries, or to rehabilitation and return to work of an injured
workers. The main criteria, therefore, include significant advancement of theory and
understanding, innovation and development of new directions or approaches.
Q2. Does the IEA endorse Liberty Mutual policy directions?
The establishment of the prize should not be construed as endorsement of Liberty Mutual.
However, it is recognized that Liberty Mutual sponsors a variety of activities aimed at
improving worker health and safety. The IEA shares the belief that the prize will
stimulate efforts to combat the unacceptably high incidence of work-related injuries and
raise awareness within the industrial, governmental and academic communities of the
pervasive nature of the problem and its associated high social and economic consequences.
Q3. Is this prize limited to ergonomics?
No. Significant contributions can come from a variety of disciplines such as ergonomics,
epidemiology, biomechanics, design, cognitive and behavioral psychology, physiology and
anatomy, economics, economics, optimization, and so forth.
Q4. Why is Liberty Mutual doing this through the International
Ergonomics Association?
The IEA is a federation of ergonomics and human factors societies throughout the world. As
such, it fosters an extensive network of experts in work sciences and related disciplines.
This network will ensure that the selection of the winners reflects the best judgment of
the international scientific community. Furthermore, the implementation procedures
established by the IEA ensure that decisions are impartial.
Q5. Who will select the winners?
A committee of three world-renown experts (currently Prof. Tom Singleton, UK, Prof. M.M.
Ayoub, USA and Dr. K. Kogi, Japan) will oversee the process and select the winner.
Q6. What does the prize comprise?
The annual Liberty Mutual Prize consists of a financial award of US$ 5,000. Every three
years, the best of the three most-recent winners will receive the Liberty Mutual Prize
Medal, which consists of a further award of US$ 15,000.
Q7. When will the awards be made?
The annual prize will be awarded during an IEA-sponsored conference or a conference in the
country of the recipient. The triennial medal will be given during the IEA Congress. The
first Liberty Mutual Prize was awarded the HFES Conference in Chicago, 1998. The first
Liberty Mutual Medal will be awarded during the IEA Triennial Congress in San Diego,
California, 2000.
Q8. Who will pay for the travel expenses?
The awardee will have to pay. The awardee must also promise to show up at the awards
ceremony.
Q9. How does one apply?
The prize will be awarded to individuals. If the winning submission names more than one
individual, the named individuals shall share the award. Persons wishing to be considered
for the prize should submit applications to the IEA Chair of the Awards Committee: Prof.
Martin Helander. School of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Nanyang Technological
University, Singapore 639798. E-mail: mahel @ntu.edu.sg. 5 copies of the report or paper
should accompany applications. The report or paper must be unpublished and be at the most
30 pages long (single spaced and minimum 11 points typeface).
Q10. What is the difference between the Prize and the Medal?
The prize is awarded each year. The medal is awarded to the best of three winners every
three years in conjunction with the IEA Triennial Congress.
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
Requirements
For more information on AMS, please see our home page at
www.amsinc.com/amscat.
Contact : kelly_donnelly@amsinc.com
Postdoctoral Researcher, Cognitive Science Lab at the Catholic University of America
A postdoctoral researcher is sought to join a project team that will examine human factors aspects of automation of fault management in aerospace operations. Space exploration and development requires human interaction with computers, structures, and telerobots. These systems must be monitored and maintained for continued safe operations, especially as they age in the harsh environment of space. Although the importance of "human-centered" design is widely recognized, few concrete methods have been put forward for space systems. This project will design, demonstrate, and evaluate human-centered automated systems in support of effective fault management during long-term space operations.
This postdoctoral position at the Cognitive Science Lab (CSL) at the Catholic University of America offers a unique opportunity to engage in an interdiscplinary project that will examine human factors aspects of automation in space operations. Candidates who have or are about to receive a Ph.D. in human factors, applied cognitive psychology, aerospace engineering, or industrial engineering, are invited to apply. Experience in aviation or space human factors is highly desirable but not essential. Open also to non-U.S. citizens with a training visa. Competitive salary and benefits, dependent on experience. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to interact with other related, ongoing funded projects at the CSL dealing with automation in air traffic control and general aviation.
The project is supported by a three-year grant from NASA Goddard Space Center, MD. The position is available January 1, 2000, but will remain open until filled. Appointment will be initially for one year, renewable for up to three years.
For further information, see the CSL web site http://arts-sciences.cua.edu/psy/csl/. Interested applicants should send a vita, reprints or preprints of papers, and the names of three references to:
Dr. Raja Parasuraman Tel. 202-319-5825
Cognitive Science Lab Fax: 202-319-4456
Catholic University of America
Washington DC 20064
email: parasuraman@cua.edu
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):
The position requires working closely with the customer, operational users, maintainers, vendors, and R&D organizations. For further information contact:
Dr. John W. Ruffner jruffner@dcscorp.com
Human Factors Engineer (703) 683-8430 x243
DCS Corporation
Human Factors Professional, Federal Data Corporation
Federal Data Corporation is looking for several 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.D
Program Director, User Systems Integration
Federal Data Corporation
(609) 272-9000
ron.lyons@feddata.com
www.feddata.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
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology at George Mason University
The Department of Psychology at George Mason University anticipates an opening at the assistant professor level beginning in the Fall, 2000. The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology or related area and experience developing cognitive theory in the context of real-world problems. We will consider applicants from a variety of research specializations, such as computational cognitive modeling, human computer interaction, human factors, psychology of science, complex problem solving, higher level cognition, training (especially computer-based), human performance, and decision making. A record of, or strong potential for, external funding is expected, and evidence of teaching skills and multi-disciplinary interests is highly desirable.
George Mason University is located approximately 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 core faculty of the Human Factors and Applied Cognitive Program in the ARCH Lab. The ARCH Lab houses HFAC faculty, their research facilities, and graduate students in a collaborative and highly productive environment.
Applications will be evaluated starting on November 15, 1999, and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. A vita, three letters of recommendation, a brief statement of research and teaching interests, and copies of relevant preprints/reprints should be sent to: Applied Cognitive Search Committee, George Mason University, MSN 3F5, 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. If you have any questions about this position, please contact Wayne Gray (gray@gmu.edu), Christian Schunn (cschunn@gmu.edu), or Deborah Boehm-Davis (dbdavis@gmu.edu).
Deborah A. Boehm-Davis
Professor, Psychology Department
Human Factors and Applied Cognition Program
MSN 2E5
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
Phone: 703-993-8735
Fax: 703-993-1330
Human Factors Engineers/Monterey Technologies, Incorporated
Monterey Technologies, Incorporated (MTI) is seeking qualified human factors engineers for positions in the Washington DC area. Successful candidates will have a master’s degree or higher in human factors, psychology or other related field as well as a minimum of 5 years of experience in system design. This experience should include user requirements definition, test and evaluation, design trade-off studies, interview and questionnaire development and administration, and design specification development. Experience in both the government and commercial market sectors a plus. Strong verbal, technical writing, and analytical skills are required, as well as the ability to successfully integrate and work with a multidisciplinary design team.
MTI is a small company specializing in human factors engineering and ergonomics. MTI is headquartered in Monterey CA with offices in Los Gatos CA and Cary NC and has been in existence since 1984. For more information about MTI, please see our web site at http://www.montereytechnologies.com.
Larry Avery
Monterey Technologies, Inc
111 James Jackson Road
Suite 221
Cary, NC 27513
(919) 481-0565
lavery@montereytechnologies.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.
Useful Metric Conversions:
| 1 million microphones = 1 megaphone | 100 rations = 1 C-ration |
| 2000 mockingbirds = two kilomockingbirds | 10 millipedes = 1 centipede |
| 10 cards = 1 decacards | 3 1/3 tridents = 1 decadent |
| 1 millionth of a fish = 1 microfiche | 2 monograms = 1 diagram |
| 453.6 graham crackers = 1 pound cake | 8 nickels = 2 paradigms |
| 1 trillion pins = 1 terrapin | 2 wharves = 1 paradox |
| 10 rations = 1 decoration |
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Recent Meetings:
January, 1999 February, 1999 March, 1999 April, 1999 |
May, 1999 June 29, 1999 September 22, 1999 October 27, 1999 Coming Attractions: Dec 8, 1999 |
