Title:
Aerospace Psychologist
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This position will support the Behavioral Health and Performance (BHP) Operations Group at NASA Johnson Space Center and provide expertise for the collection, curation, evaluation, and management of all quantitative and qualitative data generated as part of BHP’s assessment, selection, and training activities.
Primary tasks for BHP operations will include analysis and management of data collected during astronaut selection, astronaut candidate training, analog participants screening, as well as contributing to improving selection and training tools and procedures. Tasks will also include preparations for astronaut and other selection activities, such as the preparatory work required to build individual applicant reports, adapt testing protocols, prepare simulations and other selection activities that may be considered for future training and selection cycles. In addition, the incumbent will participate in the coordinating and monitoring of data collection, as well as analyzing data and preparing reports, presentations, and publications. Overall, the incumbent will serve as the principal resource for establishing, collecting, and organizing the evidence from internal and external sources of data to inform, validate, and enhance operational requirements and practices.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Evaluate astronaut selection methods and metrics to enhance performance-based suitability assessments.
• Assist in developing, refining, and validating selection tools, behavioral simulations, and rating scales for selection and training activities.
• Analyze and adapt non-standardized measures based on internal research and current scientific literature.
• Aggregate and interpret applicant testing results to generate individual reports for BHP evaluations.
• Design and assess countermeasures for behavioral health and performance challenges associated with spaceflight.
• Conduct literature reviews and apply psychological methods to inform operational decisions and spaceflight readiness.
• Assist in developing and evaluating BHP-related activities in astronaut candidate training.
• Develop and deliver training in areas of expertise related to BHP preparation and training.
• Contribute to the preparation of program plans, technical reports, white papers, and other operational or scientific documentation.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, including BHP personnel, flight surgeons, mission managers, and Flight Operations personnel, to execute research and operational plans effectively.
• Provide input for weekly and monthly status reports for various NASA stakeholders.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support NASA’s operational and research objectives.
• Responsible for compliance with Safety, Health and Environmental plan; must be committed to a high standard of safety and be willing and able to comply with all safety laws and all of the Company’s safety policies and rules and must be willing to report safety violations and potential safety violations to appropriate supervisory or management personnel.
• Responsible for compliance with the Quality Assurance Plan, policies and procedures.
• Responsible for completing all assigned training.
Education/Experience
Required:
• Ph.D. and 3-5 years of experience in Psychology, Brain Science, Applied Psychology or related discipline.
• Expertise in psychometrics and measurement, including developing, validating, and implementing assessment tools, test construction, and measurement processes.
• Human research experience in areas relevant to behavioral health and performance, such as resilience and stress tolerance, emotion regulation, and personality.
• Experience in applied, dynamic, or operational settings, particularly spaceflight operations.
• Experience in selection and training within operational organizations.
• Knowledge of assessment center operations and their legal/ethical requirements.
Desired:
• Prior experience working within a technical, science, or engineering organization.
• Familiarity with integrated multidisciplinary assessment methods, including psychometrics (surveys), behavioral tasks, and wearable/device-based measures.
SKILLS/TRAINING
REQUIRED:
• Comprehensive understanding of behavior and performance outcomes necessary for individuals to function effectively in extreme or dynamic operational environments.
• Demonstrated advanced data collection, analysis, and interpretation skills, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies through operationally relevant peer-reviewed publications.
• Proficiency in software tools, specifically R and SPSS.
• Strong applied research expertise, with a proven ability to translate research methodologies into operational solutions for real-world applications.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences, including various levels of management, international collaborators, scientists, medical professionals, and engineers.
• Strong relationship-building and diplomacy skills, fostering collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated interpersonal effectiveness and professionalism, excelling in team-oriented, multidisciplinary environments.
• Proven writing proficiency, producing executive summaries, technical reports, grant proposals, project plans, and peer-reviewed journal manuscripts.
• Adaptability and flexibility, with the ability to adjust quickly to changing requirements and operational needs.
• Independent and team-oriented work capability, ensuring high-quality deliverables that meet NASA’s standards with minimal supervision.
KBR Benefits
KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.
Click here to learn more: KBR Benefits | KBR
Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR
At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.
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 and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
