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KBR
Houston, Texas

Research Psychologist

PsychologistFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 4mo ago

Job Description

Title: Research Psychologist Belong. Connect. Grow. with KBR! Around here, we define the future. We are a company of innovators, thinkers, creators, explorers, volunteers, and dreamers. But we all share one goal: to improve the world responsibly and safely.

What You’ll Do: 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.

You will: 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 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.

Your Qualifications: REQUIRED: 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 DESIRED: Prior experience in managing, coordinating, and directing research projects.

Prior experience with NASA, Aerospace, Military, or operational environments Your Skills: REQUIRED: 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.

DESIRED: 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. What to Expect This position is expected to be 100% on site and a minimum of 60% in person.

Occasional travel may be required. Why KBR KBR offers 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 At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These 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. 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.

KBR — Delivering Solutions, Changing the World. KBR brings together the best and brightest to deliver science, technology and engineering solutions that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most critical missions and objectives.

In everything we do, we are guided by our ONE KBR Values: We Value Our People – We create diverse, inclusive environments in which each person can feel safe, respected and valued, and where everyone has opportunities to grow and reach their full potential.

We Deliver – We are uncompromising in our commitment to deliver innovative, high-quality, technology-led solutions for our customers and exceptional, sustainable value for all our stakeholders. We Are People of Integrity – We value honesty, trust, courage, fairness, prudence and tenacity.

We believe doing what’s right for the planet, the communities where we work, and our people is good for business. We Empower – We empower our people with a shared purpose, the right tools and the supportive culture they need to be proactive decision-makers, to be adaptive to change, and to succeed.

We Are a Team of Teams – We have a will to succeed, but we value the achievements of our team of teams over individual accomplishments. Our collective focus makes us a better, stronger, more effective company.

We have also embedded environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in every business operation and corporate function.

Not only are we committed to operating safely, sustainably and equitably, but we are also committed to using our capabilities and expertise to help our customers accomplish their sustainability goals.

Worldwide, KBR employs a diverse workforce approximately 29,000 people strong, with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in 40 countries. At KBR, We Deliver. Fraud Alert Fraud has infiltrated the job placement market via the internet, email and direct phone contact. Attempts have included unauthorized use of KBR’s

Key Responsibilities

The Research Psychologist will lead behavioral health and performance studies to support NASA's human spaceflight exploration goals. Responsibilities include writing proposals, conducting data analysis, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to reduce astronaut risks.

Requirements

A Ph.D. in a psychology-related field and at least 3 years of experience in behavioral health research are required. Proficiency in R, RMarkdown, and technical scientific writing is essential.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Technical WritingBehavioral Health AssessmentGrant WritingLiterature ReviewInterpersonal Communication

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Research Psychologist at KBR a 7.5 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the Above average in Psychology — ranked against 1,732 active Psychology listings on WeekdayDoc.

Psychologist Career Context

Of the 50 active Psychology listings this role was benchmarked against, 38% are remote, 36% have no call, 62% require no weekends.

Psychology pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.2% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

The cost-of-living index for Texas is 97.1 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 57.7% of Texas clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Location & Logistics

Texas has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states.

Top Psychologist Jobs

39 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution36 jobs · 33 employers

10
<$145k
9
$145k-165k
9
$165k-185k
7
$185k-205k
1
$218k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks26 jobs

401k / retirement match
92% this job
CME allowance
38%
Sign-on bonus
31%
Loan repayment
19%
PSLF eligible
15%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.4this job 7.5
Better work-life than 70% of Psychology listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,732 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site

Living in Houston

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$245k
Typical market rent
$1,542/mo
Residents’ average commute
27 min
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

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About KBR

IT Services and IT Consulting
Houston, Texas
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

401K plan with company match
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
AD&D insurance
Flexible spending account
Disability insurance