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Human Factors Expert

Type of Selection:  Internal and External
Contract Type:  Temporary agent
Grade:  AD06
Deadline for application:  19/10/2026 at 23:59 CET
Experience Level:  Professional
Approx. number of candidates on reserve list:  10
Location:  Cologne, Germany
Monthly gross compensation (€):  6,961.29 - 7,253.84

Our employees are our most valuable asset. We therefore offer a wide range of benefits.

 

EASA is the leading aviation authority in Europe. A career at EASA means contributing to our vision for an ever safer and greener civil aviation. As an EASA employee, you will be making a difference to the lives of about 500 million fellow Europeans: this is our shared purpose and it could be yours, too. From our headquarters in Cologne, Germany, you will work with top experts in a multicultural work environment. Diversity and Inclusion are part of our DNA and innovation is at the heart of what we do. We ensure that aviation is safe in all phases: beginning with the certification of the aircraft to the rules for the air operation and crew. For more information about the Agency please consult our website and take a look at our organisation structure. Are you interested to contribute to our mission? Then see below what it takes to accomplish the role.

We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity and non-discrimination. To further enhance the diversity of our workforce, we particularly encourage applications from female candidates. 

Job overview

In the respective domain, ensure product safety and environmental compatibility by providing expert knowledge to influence decisions in certification and continued airworthiness, contributing to the safe integration of innovative and more sustainable technologies.

General accountabilities

In the respective domain:

  • Provide expert advice and contribution to complex certification for the determination of the applicable certification basis, the definition of the level of involvement by selecting compliance demonstration items and the agreement of applicants’ certification programmes.
  • Verify the compliance demonstrations provided by applicants for the domain of expertise in cooperation with the certification teams and experts of other technical domains.
  • Develop and contribute to the definition of interpretative material and special conditions as well as assess requests for deviations or for equivalent level of safety to address new technologies, unconventional uses, and proposals for novel compliance demonstration.
  • Ensure investigation of in-service occurrences and defects in the domain of expertise and contribute to the agreement of adequate corrective actions to maintain acceptable safety standards as well as to ensure follow-up of those actions wherever necessary.
  • For the domain of expertise provide advice in the development of new airworthiness and environmental protection requirements, industrial standards, including relevant parts of EASA Certification Specifications and advisory- as well as guidance material.
  • Provide inputs and support to Design Organisation Approval activities as necessary.
  • Provide technical inputs to support the other Agency’s activities such as Research projects or Innovation Partnership Contracts
  • Represent the Agency externally in international working-groups or standardisation bodies when requested to do so.

Admission criteria

The following constitute eligibility and essential criteria for the role and for being admitted to the selection process. Candidates not fulfilling these criteria by the deadline for applications, will be excluded from the selection: 

 

  • Have a thorough knowledge of one of the languages of the European Union (at least level C1) and a satisfactory knowledge of another language of the EU to the extent necessary for the performance of the duties (at least level B2). One of the required languages shall be English[1].
  • Be a national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
  • Completed university studies of at least 3 years attested by a diploma in Human Factors (e.g. social sciences, psychology, philosophy, sociology, linguistics, or cognitive/physical ergonomics, etc.), or in other relevant subjects in the scope of the profile (e.g. aeronautical engineering, aerospace engineering, automotive engineering, mechanical engineering, etc.),
  • At least 3 years of relevant professional experience acquired in positions corresponding to the nature of the duties (defined under the general accountabilities part), obtained after the award of university diploma*.
  • Proven professional experience in the field of human factors applied to aviation or comparable domain (e.g. automotive industry) with a specific focus on usability studies, human centred design or evaluation of Human Machine Interfaces. 

 

* This vacancy is open as well to Temporary Agents (2f) employed at EASA, in the grade bracket AD5 - AD9

 

The following constitute advantageous criteria for the role. Candidates not fulfilling these criteria will not be excluded from the selection:

 

  • Knowledge of the certification specifications and related material in the field of human factors applied to aviation.
  • Knowledge of the aviation organisations and industry operating within the scope of the job description.

 

[1] Mother tongue English speakers will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of a second EU language. English oral and written skills will be assessed throughout the assessment phase.

Selection criteria

The selection process is based on the assessment of the professional skills and behavioural competences listed below. While these are considered critical to perform the role effectively, candidates who do not meet all criteria may still be considered.

Professional skills

EASA Regulations & Aviation Safety Standards
Human Factors
Human Factors Usability Studies
Human Machine Interface & Cockpit Integration
Certification Processes, Methods, & Specifications

Behavioural competences

Learning Agility
Teamwork
Critical Thinking
Professional & Technical Expertise
Stakeholder Orientation

Application & Selection Process

How to apply

We can only accept applications that are submitted in English through our Recruiting tool. Before sending your application, make sure it is complete and contains the document(s) specified in the vacancy notice. Please also ensure that your candidate profile, all relevant fields and the answers to the pre-screening questions are correct. You may review and amend data demonstrating compliance with the eligibility and selection criteria only until the closing date of applications for the respective selection procedure.

For further information take a look at How we hire. In case of questions or technical issues, email us at recruit@easa.europa.eu. Attach a description and screenshot of the error. 

To check if you are meeting the minimum education qualifications required for the job, consult the information published by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO): Examples of minimum qualifications

Important note on diplomas obtained outside the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland or Norway: If your application is found eligible on the basis of diploma(s) obtained outside these countries, we might ask you to provide proof of accreditation by one of the European Union Member States. This applies also to diplomas obtained in the UK after 31 December 2020.

Make sure you are meeting the language requirements: Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and assess your language skills. Language certificates are not required at the stage of application, unless specified in the vacancy.

Selection Process

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted via E-mail. If your application has been rejected following the initial screening, the status in your candidate profile will be automatically updated to "Not admitted". Invitations to the shortlisted candidates are sent once the evaluation of applications is completed (this may take up to two months after expiry of the deadline to apply). Pre-selection exercises, online tests and interviews with the Selection Board usually take place remotely. If you are not selected for this position but are still considered suitable, you will be placed on a reserve list from which you might be considered for similar positions within EASA. Learn more about our Selection and Onboarding process. Take a look also at our comprehensive information on Benefits, get to know Our people and find out what Life in Cologne is like.

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