Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers (NOC 4161)

Ergonomists or human factors specialists:

• do research, advise on and get involved in the physical, social and psychological relationships between people, their equipment and working or living environments
• make sure that the design, set up and use of equipment, procedures and environmental conditions make the most of safety, productivity and comfort

Occupational or industrial hygienists:

• study, evaluate and control physical, chemical and biological hazards and stresses in the workplace
• report and document investigations and conclusions
• suggest changes to work environments and processes
• provide information to workers and managers or employers on methods to reduce the risk of injury or illness from specific occupational hazards
• may also teach safe work procedures, participate in emergency response planning, testify at hearings and report findings at scientific conferences or in scientific journals

Patent agents:

• advise clients on elements of patent law and on the patentability of inventions
• do patent searches
• prepare patent applications
• represent clients before the patent office

Science policy and program officers:

• do research and advise on policies or develop or run programs related to transportation, communications, natural resources, agriculture, the environment, energy, land use, recycling and other scientific fields
• promote public awareness and education on issues such as the use of natural resources, the environment, and reprocessing and reduction of waste

Technology transfer officers:

• are responsible for transferring and integrating new technologies, usually from university or government research and development environments, to commercial and industrial applications
• ensure the protection of intellectual property of researchers and developers.

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

• Work takes place in a conventional indoor office setting