Postdoctoral Associate - Psychological Sciences

Rice University • Houston, TX

2d • $57,000 - $60,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Rice Space Institute (RSI)’s Center for Space Technologies (CSTx) Human Performance Team at Rice University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate. This role involves interdisciplinary projects applying human factors, human-robot interaction, human-AI teaming, and well-being research to human space exploration missions, funded by a new Texas Space Commission project. The associate will collaborate with PIs in the Department of Psychological Sciences and potentially with NASA and Rice Engineering collaborators. This is a one-year term-limited position with the possibility of extension.

Requirements

• PhD in Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Occupational Health Psychology, Organizational Behavior, or related discipline.
• Strong research background and expertise in a relevant field (e.g., Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Occupational Health Psychology, Organizational Behavior)
• Excellent listening, verbal and written communication, analytical, and research skills
• Excellent scientific and numerical skills with meticulous attention to details and accuracy
• Ability to work in a team environment, to participate actively, to collaborate and to motivate others in the lab
• Excellent critical thinking, technical, and data collection skills
• Ability to maintain quality, safety and control standards

Nice To Haves

• Interest in human space exploration missions.
• Prior experience in interdisciplinary research
• Interest in research that integrates human factors, human-robot interaction, human-AI teaming, and well-being
• Expertise in psychometrics, advanced statistical modeling, and qualitative approaches
• Flexibility and adaptability in navigating different lab cultures and expectations
• Record of publications in peer-reviewed outlets

Responsibilities

• Lead and support research projects related to human factors, human-robot interaction, human-AI teaming, and well-being research pertaining to human space exploration missions
• Conduct comprehensive cross-disciplinary literature reviews to establish theoretical and empirical foundations for projects
• Design study methodology, measurement approaches, standard operating procedures, and IRB protocols in collaboration with Principal Investigators
• Coordinate and conduct data collections
• Manage data organization, cleaning, and quality control
• Perform quantitative and/or qualitative analysis
• Attend CSTx team meetings and events, lab meetings, and relevant departmental events
• Write and co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts for publication in psychology outlets
• Contribute to progress reports and other deliverables required by the funding agency
• Facilitate information flow across Principal Investigators and lab personnel to ensure work is synchronized across labs
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students

Benefits

• Sitting or standing desk options available
• Possibility of extension based upon need and available funding

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree