Research Psychologist

KBR•Houston, TX

8d•Onsite

About The Position

In this role, you will be a key scientist for helping NASA achieve its goals for human spaceflight exploration. You will perform this work in the Behavioral Health & Performance (BHP) Laboratory at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The Research Psychologist will facilitate ongoing studies; write proposals for directed studies and grant solicitations; and complete data analyses and prepare reports, journal articles, and presentations regarding the study results. You will assist in the management and execution of multiple BHP Lab tasks to ensure the team produces high quality, implementable, and timely deliverables that help to reduce the risks associated with the behavioral health and performance of astronauts. You will work on a highly collaborative team, interfacing routinely with our NASA customer, laboratories in the Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division, external PI teams, and provide timely deliverables to stakeholders for BHP Lab products such as Human Research Program, Space Medicine Division, Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program (EHP), and Mars Campaign Office.

Requirements

Ph.D. and at least 3 years of experience in one of the following areas of psychology: Neuropsychology, Clinical, I/O Psychology, Space Psychology, Health Psychology, Behavioral Medicine
Experience conducting behavioral health and performance research, conducting literature reviews, and collecting and analyzing behavioral health and performance data
Proficient with software tools used by the lab including MS Office, R, and RMarkdown
Proven ability to apply research methodology for evaluating proposals and research design
Demonstrated technical and scientific writing ability, completing all levels of writing, such as research reports and summaries, briefings, technical reports, and project plans, etc.
Possess broad understanding of behavioral health and performance outcomes required for individuals required to function effectively in an isolated, confined environment during long-duration exploration missions (e.g., performance, cognition, mood)
Highly ethical and respectful of human research data confidentiality, protections, and intellectual property
Demonstrated excellence in effective communication and presentation skills with varied audiences, including various levels of management, internationals, scientists, medical professionals and engineers
Demonstrated organizational skills for coordinating complex activities and schedules, and managing tasks per a defined timeline
Successful project management experience
Ability to be flexible and adapt quickly to changing requirements
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary setting where there is frequently divergent or competing goals for the project implementation and outcome
Demonstrated ability to interpret requirements for real-time implementation
Demonstrated interpersonal effectiveness and professionalism in working with others in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in managing, coordinating, and directing research projects.
Prior experience with NASA, Aerospace, Military, or operational environments
Demonstrated ability to evaluate proven or developing technologies for measuring and assessing behavioral health outcomes as well as evaluating and applying 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 directed research in space flight 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 with NASA statisticians for complex issues
Draft interim and final reports, literature reviews and summaries, and project summaries
Provide subject matter expertise for research design, methodologies, technologies, and assessments related to behavioral health and performance
Disseminate research findings through presentation to NASA program management, presentations at various national and international meetings and working groups, scientific conferences and publishing in peer-reviewed journals
Participate in presenting project updates, interim and final results, as well as program objectives and direction to scientists, engineers and managers
Collaborate with a variety of contributors and stakeholders including BHP Operations personnel, flight surgeons, mission managers and a multidisciplinary team of personnel to effectively plan and execute the research plans
Monitor multiple research project schedules, deliverables, and discuss status of projects with 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 review and update of human spaceflight risks especially relates to behavioral health and performance
Advise and assist in the development of protocols and processes that promote efficient and effective management of the BHP Laboratory projects and personnel.
Maintain data quality practices and standards established within the laboratory
Liaise with internal and external collaborators to effectively plan, track, and complete collaborative research
Assist the BHP Laboratory Lead with other duties as assigned to ensure the efficient operation of the lab, or due to NASA’s program requirements changes