Junior Research Scientst Co-op

IMPACT and OPPORTUNITY

At Gentherm, we are expanding our human research testing capabilities and are looking for a Junior Research Scientist to join the Thermophysiology Research Team within the Advanced Engineering department. The team sits at the forefront of the company’s mission in developing thermal and pneumatic solutions that improve health, wellness and comfort. The Junior Research Scientist will play an integral role in researching and developing our cutting-edge technology to deliver optimal thermal solutions with the human at the center of all our products.  

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting our Thermophysiology Research team in organizing and executing physiological and subjective evaluations of our personal thermal comfort systems and components. The position will collaborate with other advanced engineering teams in the development of personalized, human-centric solutions.                

This is a research-oriented opportunity for a well-organized, curious, and motivated student who has a passion for applying research into practice and is interested in understanding the complexity of the human body.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support and administer laboratory studies, utilizing our state-of-the-art environmental chambers to evaluate physiological and perceptual responses to our in-vehicle thermal and pneumatic comfort solutions
• Collect physiological data including (but not limited to) core and skin temperature, sweat rate, skin blood flow, cardiovascular responses, electroencephalography, and anthropometric characteristics
• Collect perceptual data (thermal sensation, comfort and wetness) and other variables related to the user experience
• Investigate the impact of our human-centric thermal comfort solutions in high-end vehicles and/or electric vehicles on the road to assess real-world conditions (i.e. field-based studies)
• Support data processing and analysis
• With appropriate subject knowledge, contribute to data interpretation.
• Support the team with writing research reports and presentations from laboratory tests.
• Ensures compliance with data protection policies (e.g. HIPAA).
• Participates in miscellaneous research efforts within the Gentherm R&D team.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, Physiology, Thermophysiology, Biomedical engineering, ergonomics, human factors, or other closely related human science subject, plus:
  • 1-2 years’ experience working in a research environment or an applied setting monitoring/collecting data from humans

• OR a Master’s degree in Kinesiology, Physiology, Thermophysiology, biomedical engineering, ergonomics, human factors, or other closely related human science subject

• Proficient in MS Office suite.
• Proven knowledge of basic statistics.
• Strong communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Currently enrolled in a PhD program
• Research and development experience.
• Knowledge of statistical software package (e.g. SPSS, R, etc.).
• Python scripting skills.
• Knowledge of LabView and/or other instrument/computer interfacing software is highly desired (e.g. Node-Red).

COMPETENCIES

• Deliver Results
  • Understand the mission and output of your team; set SMART objectives and deliver
• Drive Change
  • Focus on agility and commitment to continuous improvement; Understand and act on internal and external drivers of change
• Build Capability
  • Foster a culture of learning and development; Support individual growth through continuous feedback to achieve personal and professional goals
• Cultivate Innovation
  • Openly embrace, create, implement and support new and innovative ideas, processes and technology that deliver business results

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

All positions in our office require interaction with people and technology while either standing or sitting. In order to best service our customers, internal and external, all associates must be able to communicate face-to-face and on the phone with or without reasonable accommodation. Gentherm is committed to compliance with its obligations under all applicable state and federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. In keeping with this commitment, it attempts to reasonably accommodate applicants and employees in accordance with the requirements of the disability discrimination laws. It also invites individuals with disabilities to participate in a good faith, interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made without imposing an undue hardship.