Research Psychologist

KBR Careers; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with company match

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance

Paid time off

Flexible work schedule

Professional training and development

Job summary

KBR Careers is seeking a Research Psychologist in Houston, Texas, to support NASA's human spaceflight exploration goals. The role involves research design, data analysis, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

The ideal candidate will have a Ph.D., 3 years of experience in psychology, and expertise in behavioral health research, including proficiency in software like MS Office and R. Competitive benefits and on-site requirements apply.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in relevant psychology fields.
• Experience collecting and analyzing behavioral health data.

Responsibilities

• Implement research activities on behavioral health and performance.
• Develop grant proposals for NASA and external funding.
• Analyze and interpret research data with NASA statisticians.
• Monitor multiple research project schedules.
• Draft interim and final reports, literature reviews, and project summaries.

Skills

Leadership in research design and execution

Behavioral health and performance research

Technical and scientific writing

Project management

Communication and presentation skills

Education

Ph.D. in Neuropsychology, Clinical Psychology, I/O Psychology, Space Psychology, Health Psychology, or Behavioral Medicine

Tools

MS Office

R

R Markdown

Job description

Title: Research Psychologist

What You’ll Do

In this role you will be a key scientist helping NASA achieve its human spaceflight exploration goals. You will work in the Behavioral Health & Performance Laboratory at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. You will facilitate ongoing studies, write proposals for directed studies and grant solicitations, complete data analyses, and prepare reports, journal articles, and presentations regarding study results. You will assist in managing and executing multiple BHP Lab tasks to ensure production of high quality, implementable, and timely deliverables that help reduce the risks associated with the behavioral health and performance of astronauts.

You will work on a highly collaborative team, interfacing routinely with 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.

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 national and international meetings, working groups, scientific conferences, and publishing in peer‑reviewed journals
• Participate in presenting project updates, interim and final results, 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 related 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

What You Bring

You bring experience leading research design and execution to help answer applied human spaceflight questions. You use your experience and judgment to develop innovative solutions to problems that will inform NASA’s future spaceflight mission planning and preparation. As a key part of our safety culture you will comply with KBR’s Safety, Health and Environmental Plan, Quality Plan, and all safety policies and procedures, and complete all assigned training.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. and at least 3 years of experience in one of: 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

Desired Qualifications

• 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 and evaluating and applying countermeasures in a spaceflight environment

Required Skills

• Proficient with software tools used by the lab including MS Office, R, and R Markdown
• 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, summaries, briefings, technical reports, and project plans
• Broad understanding of behavioral health and performance outcomes required for individuals in isolated, confined environments during long‑duration exploration missions
• High ethical standards and respect for human research data confidentiality, protections, and intellectual property
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with varied audiences, including management, scientists, medical professionals, and engineers
• Organizational skills for coordinating complex activities and schedules, and managing tasks per a defined timeline
• Successful project management experience
• Flexibility and ability to adapt quickly to changing requirements
• Effective teamwork in multidisciplinary settings with divergent or competing goals for implementation and outcome
• Ability to interpret requirements for real‑time implementation
• Interpersonal effectiveness and professionalism in a collaborative, team‑oriented environment

Preferred Skills

• Evaluation of technologies for measuring behavioral health outcomes and applying countermeasures in spaceflight environment

What to Expect

Position is expected to be 100% on site and a minimum of 60% in person. Occasional travel may be required.

Benefits and Compensation

KBR offers competitive lifestyle benefits which may include a 401(k) plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, flexible work schedule, and professional training and development.

Equal Opportunity Employer

KBR is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.