Arbeitswissenschaftler/Arbeitswissenschaftlerin

Publications related to this profession include 'ARBEIT. Zeitschrift für Arbeitsforschung, Arbeitsgestaltung und Arbeitspolitik', 'Arbeitswelt-Portal', 'Betriebspraxis & Arbeitsforschung', 'Bildungsmonitor 2025', 'BWP - Berufsbildung in Wissenschaft und Praxis', 'Denkfabrik Digitale Arbeitsgesellschaft', 'Ergonomie Markt', 'Gute Arbeit. Fachzeitschrift für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsgestaltung', 'Leibniz-Forschungsverbund Open Science', 'Netzwerk für die Digitale Gesellschaft', 'præview - Zeitschrift für innovative Arbeitsgestaltung und Prävention', 'WSI-Mitteilungen', 'Zeitschrift für Arbeitswissenschaft', and 'ZQF - Zeitschrift für Qualitative Forschung'.

Big Data is increasingly used in science. Researchers can analyze large datasets using Big Data. For example, in medical research, they can identify risk factors for diseases or uncover complex interactions between proteins in medications. They make informed decisions based on extensive data analyses. Big Data enables more efficient work in researching new technologies, developing better products, and remaining competitive. Scientists must engage with this methodology to filter and evaluate relevant information.

The following interests are important and helpful for success in this field of study. Interests are listed in order of importance, with examples of activities for each area. Interest in theoretical-abstract activities, such as investigating all aspects of human work, analyzing technical, organizational, and social conditions of work processes, and recording and evaluating existing work systems including environmental influences. Interest in administrative-organizational activities, such as evaluating work design projects, organizing data collection, and preparing collected data. Interest in organizational-auditing activities, such as monitoring change processes in companies. Interest in social-advisory activities, such as informing and advising clients on optimized work systems.

Work scientists primarily work in offices, meeting and training rooms, workplaces such as production halls or workshops, company premises, laboratories, library and archive rooms, and lecture and seminar rooms. Additionally, they may also work in a home office or remotely.

Core competencies acquired or deepened during Studium (university studies) include: Work, business, organizational psychology; work, business sociology; workplace analysis; labor law; occupational safety and health, accident prevention; work science; ergonomics; research. Further competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession include: Occupational medicine, workplace design, change management, controlling, data analysis, preparing professional publications, expert appraisal, customer consulting and support, teaching (university), logistics, organizational consulting, organizational development, personnel consulting, personnel development, project management, psychosomatics, quality management, REFA, presentation activities.

The ongoing digitalization of the working and professional world can change task areas and requirement profiles. For work scientists, opportunities may arise to deal with the following technologies, procedures, or systems: 3-D simulation (e.g., conducting a three-dimensional simulation to determine the effects of various work tools on the human musculoskeletal system), Augmented Analytics (e.g., continuing to use automatically prepared data for statistical analyses), Blended Learning (e.g., preparing teaching materials for the combination of virtual learning settings and in-person events), Business Process Management Systems - BPM Systems (e.g., participating in the development of BPM systems), digital whiteboard (e.g., using an interactive, digital whiteboard during university lectures), Digital Workforce Management (e.g., participating in the development of workforce management systems), Document Management Systems - DMS (e.g.

Work scientists collect and analyze workplace-related data using their methodical and analytical skills. They carefully prepare their results and are aware of their responsibility when proposing changes to make work processes more effective. With strong communication skills, they convince decision-makers of measures to optimize occupational safety or working conditions. They usually work independently. In larger projects or in research, their teamwork skills are in demand, especially when collaborating with specialists from multiple disciplines, such as computer science, occupational medicine, psychology, sociology, or law. In teaching at universities, they also apply pedagogical and subject-specific didactic knowledge and measure the quality of their teaching by the progress and feedback of their students. Work scientists spend a large part of their working hours in the office.

Example gross basic remuneration under collective agreements in the public service sector (monthly): 5,106 € to 5,874 €. Example gross basic remuneration in the commercial economy sector (monthly): 6,378 € to 6,650 €. Sources: Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the States (TV-L), Collective Agreement Collection of the Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labor and Social Affairs. Note: This information is for orientation only. No claims can be derived from it.

Chemistry, Pharmacy, Plastics; Electrical Engineering, Electronics; Vehicle Manufacturing, Maintenance; Education, Teaching; Management, Consulting, Law, Taxes; Metal, Mechanical Engineering, Precision Mechanics, Optics; Food, Beverage Production; Paper, Printing; Transport, Traffic; Associations, Organizations, Interest Groups; Public Administration, Social Security, Defense; Science, Research, Development.

Those who wish to work in this profession generally need a completed undergraduate degree (grundständiges Studium) in industrial engineering, health and rehabilitation psychology, sociology, or further training (Weiterbildung) as an occupational physician. Leadership positions or specialized tasks usually require a master's degree (Masterstudium). Activities in science and research often require a doctorate (Promotion) or habilitation (Habilitation).

Industrial Engineering (undergraduate), Industrial Engineering (postgraduate), Health and Rehabilitation Psychology (undergraduate), Health and Rehabilitation Psychology (postgraduate), Social Sciences (undergraduate), Social Sciences (postgraduate), Sociology (undergraduate), Sociology (postgraduate), Business Psychology (undergraduate), Business Psychology (postgraduate).

Work scientists can find employment, for example, in industrial, commercial, and larger craft businesses, with interest groups, associations, and organizations, and at universities and research institutes.

Work Scientist. Also common job title/synonym: Consultant - Work Science. Job title in English: Ergonomist (m/f). Job title in French: Ergonome (m/f).

Some characteristics of work and social behavior are equally relevant for all professions and are therefore not mentioned separately. These include: reliability, punctuality, honesty, ability to criticize, and appropriate manners. In addition, the following job-specific characteristics are required to practice this academic profession: Performance and commitment (e.g., willingness to actively and supportively accompany change processes in workplace design and organization), perseverance / determination (e.g., planning, conducting, and evaluating long-term work science studies, adhering to study goals despite temporary setbacks and lengthy change processes), diligence (e.g., exact evaluation and interpretation of workplace-related data), independent working style (e.g., independently planning and determining the procedure for data collection), communication skills (e.g., advising clients).

Work scientists analyze the technical, organizational, and social conditions of work processes to improve them.

academics.de, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Soziologie (DGS).

Gesellschaft für Arbeitswissenschaft e.V. (GfA), Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft (GEW), REFA Fachverband e. V.

Responsibility for people (e.g., teaching and supervising students), customer contact (e.g., with company employees when analyzing working conditions), screen work (e.g., collecting and analyzing data), work in offices (in companies in almost all economic sectors, also at universities and associations), work in classrooms/training rooms (e.g., conducting lectures in lecture halls or seminar rooms in front of a group).

Research and work documents are used, such as data and analysis evaluations, survey, observation, measurement protocols, business key figures and framework data, questionnaires, occupational safety guidelines, specialist literature, training materials. Office equipment, data management systems and software are also used, including PCs, internet access, telephones, projectors, data management systems, and statistical software.

Work scientists scientifically, methodically, and systematically examine work processes. They observe, interview, measure, and collect data to identify optimization potential in work systems. From this, they develop concepts that they implement with specialists and managers in organizations. The goal is to enable better occupational safety or higher work output. During and after implementation, they conduct evaluations and, if necessary, corrections. At universities, they teach and conduct research.

Specialist doctors in occupational medicine can transition into this profession.

Adaptation training helps to keep professional knowledge up-to-date and adapt it to new developments (e.g., in the areas of ergonomics, work design, operational organization, labor law, or research and development).

Advanced training, specifically designed for university graduates, builds on existing qualifications. It offers the opportunity to expand the competence profile and enhance career opportunities (e.g., through further training as a REFA-Ingenieur (Industrial Engineering)). Bachelor graduates can expand their professional and career opportunities through further Studium (postgraduate studies), for example, in business psychology. A doctorate is generally required for an academic career at a university; a Habilitation (postdoctoral qualification) is usually needed for appointment as a university professor. A doctorate may also facilitate access to higher professional positions in the private sector, in research, and in public administration.

Analyze work-scientific topics, e.g., how work is planned, designed, and carried out, proceeding scientifically and methodically. Collect data, e.g., by interviewing, observing, or conducting physiological measurements. Evaluate and interpret data, i.e., identify stress situations at workplaces based on the results. Determine potentials for improvements, e.g., by comparing work systems, and develop and implement application-oriented concepts. Conduct workplace analysis, e.g., examine work tasks and work systems. Record the work system including environmental influences, e.g., through working time or work process studies. Process data, e.g., store information in databases. Prepare information, among other things, using social science and statistical methods. Adapt information to suit the target group and topic (e.g., in a report). Plan appropriate changes based on the investigation results for workplace organization, and collaborate with.

The following additional employment alternatives are available for the profession of Arbeitswissenschaftler/Arbeitswissenschaftlerin (Work Scientist): In the field of scientific research, Social Scientist, Social Economist/Social Manager. Commonalities include: Analyzing the quality of work processes in terms of social appropriateness, work content, psychological stress, etc.; identifying weaknesses in work design or organization and developing measures to remedy them; collecting, evaluating, and statistically presenting data on work processes. Note: The mentioned job alternatives may require a longer induction period or additional training (Ausbildung) in some cases.

Arbeitswissenschaftler/Arbeitswissenschaftlerin (Work Scientists) analyze the technical, organizational, and social conditions of work processes with the aim of improving them. In terms of workplace design and organization, they strive to optimally design work tasks and systems, evaluate workplaces, and ensure safety and health protection at the workplace. For this purpose, they scientifically, methodologically, and systematically prepare facts related to the planning, design, performance, and execution of human work, relying on empirical and theoretical methods. They conduct empirical studies, for example, on the physical and psychological health protection of specialists and managers, and develop, accompany, and review measures or concepts, such as integrated occupational safety and health management in companies. They also review and collect data, such as business key figures like absenteeism and productivity values.

The following abilities, knowledge, and skills are required for performing possible activities in this Studium (university degree) profession. Abilities: Numerical (computational) thinking (e.g., evaluating empirical studies on the working world using mathematical and statistical methods); verbal (linguistic) thinking (e.g., analyzing and describing work processes); observational accuracy (e.g., observing work situations to assess burdens or needs for change; reading measuring devices); technical understanding (e.g., analyzing the technical conditions and relationships of work processes); planning and organizing ability (e.g., planning and organizing data collection or changes in work organization). Knowledge and Skills: Text comprehension (e.g., reading and understanding technical literature, survey and observation protocols, occupational safety guidelines, and training materials); written expression and spelling accuracy (e.g., preparing reports, expert opinions, and presentations).

The practice of the profession may entail the following physical requirements. This information may not necessarily apply to every activity profile or every professional application. Undisturbed speech ability (e.g., giving presentations; delivering specialist lectures); near vision - even corrected (e.g., collecting and analyzing data; drawing conclusions about stress situations at workplaces based on measurement results); hearing ability and speech comprehension (e.g., conducting group or individual surveys). Note: This information does not form a basis for legal action and is not to be understood in the sense of a medical fitness assessment. The actual physical fitness or unfitness must always be determined on a case-by-case basis and taking into account possible reasonable precautions.

The following lists professions or activities that show similarities to the original profession. These professions represent a possible alternative for applicants who cannot find a vacant position in their learned profession. Furthermore, employers can consider specialists from these professions as alternatives for filling a position in the original profession. Some alternative professions only comprise partial activities of the original profession, while others require an induction period, the length of which can vary in individual cases. The following immediate employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of Arbeitswissenschaftler/Arbeitswissenschaftlerin: Job and staffing alternatives in related professions: Work Psychologist, REFA Engineer (Industrial Engineering).

The activity as an Arbeitswissenschaftler/Arbeitswissenschaftlerin (Work Scientist) is not regulated. No professional recognition is necessary to work in this profession with a qualification acquired abroad. However, there is the possibility to apply for an individual certificate evaluation for foreign university degrees through the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB - Central Office for Foreign Education). This can be helpful for applications in the German labor market. Further information on living and working in Germany: Hotline Arbeiten und Leben in Deutschland - central information hotline of the Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF - Federal Office for Migration and Refugees) and the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA - Federal Employment Agency); Für Menschen aus dem Ausland - an information offer from the Bundesagentur für Arbeit; Zentrale Auslands- und Fachvermittlung der Bundesagentur für Arbeit; Make it in Germany - the welcome portal of the skilled labor initiative for international skilled workers.

The following health limitations could lead to problems when performing this profession. These statements do not necessarily apply to every job profile or every professional application. Increasingly, there are also possibilities to compensate for limitations, for example, through technical aids. Speech disorders or speech impediments (e.g., giving presentations; delivering expert lectures) can be problematic. Uncorrectable near vision impairment (e.g., collecting and analyzing data; drawing conclusions about stress situations at workplaces based on measurement results) might pose difficulties. Hearing impairment, hardness of hearing, deafness, hearing disorders, or chronic ear conditions (e.g., conducting group or individual surveys) could also be an issue. Note: This information does not form a basis for legal action and is not to be understood as a medical suitability assessment. The actual physical suitability or unsuitability must always be assessed on a case-by-case basis and taking into account possible reasonable accommodations.

The following alternative staffing options are available for the profession of Work Scientist (Arbeitswissenschaftler/in) from an employer's perspective: Activities in Scientific Research, Specialist Doctor in Occupational Medicine (Facharzt/Fachärztin Fachrichtung Arbeitsmedizin), or Social Scientist (Sozialwissenschaftler/Sozialwissenschaftlerin). Common aspects include analyzing the quality of work processes in terms of social appropriateness, work content, psychological stress, etc., identifying weaknesses in work design or organization and developing measures to remedy them, and collecting, evaluating, and statistically presenting data on work processes. Note: The mentioned staffing alternatives may require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases.