Ergonomist : Employers and vacancy sources

Ergonomists' knowledge and skills are required in a wide range of settings, including:

• government bodies;
• defence and process companies;
• major manufacturing companies;
• transportation companies;
• computer consultancies;
• consumer and safety laboratories;
• utility companies;
• UK-based and overseas research institutes;
• universities;
• NHS.

Ergonomists employed by these companies may work as part of a team of professionals, such as designers and health specialists, or as part of a specialist department.

The Ministry of Defence and other defence agencies are where many get their first post. After gaining initial experience they tend to move in to consultancy work. General ergonomics consultancies offer a wide range of services to clients, such as health and safety and hazard analysis. Other companies offer more specialist support and require ergonomists with a greater level of experience and sector knowledge. Areas may include computer hardware and software ergonomics, human reliability assessment and product design.

For details of employers use the Directory of Registered Consultancies (Ergonomists) .

With experience, many ergonomists choose to set up their own consultancies.

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• The Ergonomist - monthly newsletter of the Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors.
• Applied Ergonomics 
• Ergonomics 
• The Psychologist  
• Directory of Registered Consultancies (Ergonomists)  
• Graduate sections in the national press.

Vacancies are also advertised via the Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors  website. Some employers advertise vacancies through the main institutions providing ergonomics degrees. The Gold Group  is a specialist recruitment agency providing vacancies in a range of areas for qualified and experienced ergonomists.

Networking and speculative applications are also acceptable routes for finding suitable positions.

Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.