Research Psychologist

KBR•Houston, TX

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Research Psychologist will support NASA human spaceflight exploration goals by conducting and coordinating behavioral health and performance research in the Behavioral Health & Performance (BHP) Laboratory at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The role facilitates ongoing studies, develops directed research and grant proposals, collects and analyzes research and operational data, and prepares reports, journal articles, presentations, and other deliverables. The psychologist also helps manage multiple BHP Lab tasks and supports high-quality, timely work aimed at reducing risks to astronauts’ behavioral health and performance. The position works collaboratively with the NASA customer, Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division laboratories, external principal investigator teams, BHP Operations personnel, flight surgeons, mission managers, and other stakeholders. Research products support NASA programs and organizations including the Human Research Program, Space Medicine Division, Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program, and Mars Campaign Office. The role includes monitoring project schedules and deliverables, maintaining laboratory data-quality standards, supporting updates to NASA standards and human spaceflight risk reviews, and helping improve BHP Laboratory project and personnel processes. The position is expected to be 100% on site and a minimum of 60% in person. Occasional travel may be required. Candidates joining KBR’s Mission Technology Solutions business before its planned spin-off are expected to transition to Trinzic when the separation is complete without needing to reapply.

Requirements

Ph.D. and at least 3 years of experience in Neuropsychology, Clinical Psychology, I/O Psychology, Space Psychology, Health Psychology, or Behavioral Medicine.
Experience conducting behavioral health and performance research, literature reviews, and collection and analysis of behavioral health and performance data.
Proficiency with laboratory software tools, including MS Office, R, and RMarkdown.
Ability to apply research methodology to evaluate proposals and research design.
Demonstrated technical and scientific writing ability, including research reports and summaries, briefings, technical reports, and project plans.
Broad understanding of behavioral health and performance outcomes needed to function effectively in isolated, confined environments during long-duration exploration missions, such as performance, cognition, and mood.
Highly ethical and respectful handling of human research data confidentiality, protections, and intellectual property.
Effective communication and presentation skills with varied audiences, including management, international audiences, scientists, medical professionals, and engineers.
Organizational skills to coordinate complex activities and schedules and manage tasks to defined timelines.
Successful project management experience.
Ability to be flexible and adapt quickly to changing requirements.
Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary setting with divergent or competing project goals.
Ability to interpret requirements for real-time implementation.
Interpersonal effectiveness and professionalism in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience managing, coordinating, and directing research projects.
Prior experience with NASA, aerospace, military, or operational environments.
Ability to evaluate proven or developing technologies for measuring and assessing behavioral health outcomes and to evaluate and apply countermeasures in a spaceflight environment.

Responsibilities

Work with the NASA BHP Lab Lead to implement research activities related to behavioral health and performance risks.
Develop grant proposals in response to research calls from NASA or external funding organizations.
Develop directed research proposals and support research in spaceflight analogs, available flight opportunities, and with medical and mission operations personnel.
Conduct and coordinate data collection, cleaning, and organization.
Analyze and interpret research and operational data, consulting NASA statisticians on complex issues.
Draft interim and final reports, literature reviews and summaries, and project summaries.
Provide subject matter expertise on research design, methodologies, technologies, and assessments related to behavioral health and performance.
Disseminate research findings through presentations to NASA program management and at meetings, working groups, and scientific conferences, and through peer-reviewed publications.
Present project updates, interim and final results, and program objectives and direction to scientists, engineers, and managers.
Collaborate with BHP Operations personnel, flight surgeons, mission managers, and multidisciplinary contributors to plan and execute research.
Monitor multiple research project schedules and deliverables, and discuss project status with the lab project manager.
Provide inputs to weekly and monthly status reports for NASA technical monitor review.
Assist NASA technical monitors with updates to NASA standards and periodic reviews and updates of human spaceflight risks related to behavioral health and performance.
Advise and assist in developing protocols and processes for efficient and effective management of BHP Laboratory projects and personnel.
Maintain laboratory data-quality practices and standards.
Liaise with internal and external collaborators to plan, track, and complete collaborative research.
Assist the BHP Laboratory Lead with other duties to support efficient lab operations or changing NASA program requirements.
Comply with KBR’s Safety, Health and Environmental Plan, Quality Plan, and safety policies and procedures, and complete assigned training.