Human Performance Research Assistant

Description

Job Summary
The primary function of this position is to provide operational support to the Exercise Physiology and Countermeasures team at NASA's Johnson Space Center. The Exercise Physiology and Countermeasures Lab (EPC) leads efforts to transition research to operations and optimize human health and performance for exploration missions through exercise. The EPC team provides subject matter expertise for a variety of tasks, including medical testing, validation of exercise countermeasures hardware and protocols, analog environments, development of conditioning programs for crew health and performance, and technology development to enhance the analysis of human performance.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Work with the project lead(s) to implement research activities outlined in strategic roadmaps.
• Assist with the coordination of human research studies and engineering evaluations, including scheduling and integration with the study team, stakeholders, and collaborators.
• Prepare study documentation, including Institutional Review Board protocols, test plans, test readiness review packages, progress reports, and other related documents.
• Design and maintain data acquisition systems.
• Perform equipment setup, calibration, and monitoring for tests/evaluations.
• Monitor human subjects and collect physiological data during research studies and/or operational training, including at analog facilities and field locations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Ensure compliance with the Safety, Health, and Environmental Plan; demonstrate a commitment to a high standard of safety by complying with all safety laws and the Company’s safety policies and rules, and report any safety violations or potential safety violations to appropriate supervisory or management personnel.
• Ensure compliance with the Quality Assurance Plan, policies, and procedures.
• Maintain a regular and acceptable level of attendance as determined by the Company.
• Complete all assigned training.

Requirements

 Education/Experience

Required:

• A bachelor's degree in physiology, kinesiology, exercise science, or a related science field, along with approximately 5 years of experience—or an equivalent combination of graduate-level education and experience—is required.
• Experience conducting human health and performance research, including physiological monitoring and/or kinematic analysis.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.

Desired:

• A master's degree in physiology, kinesiology, exercise science, or a related science field is highly desired.
• Experience evaluating hardware, such as wearable sensors or other health-related equipment.
• Experience implementing operational studies to evaluate human performance and human-system interactions, especially as related to spaceflight.

SKILLS/TRAINING

Required:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to work independently as well as in a team; the employee will be required to work and communicate with human test subjects, astronauts, and personnel across multiple JSC directorates.
• Highly motivated, with strong organizational skills and the ability to support multiple projects.
• Strong attention to detail.
• A solid understanding of human performance capabilities and interactions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, both formal and informal.
• Proficiency with standard PC and Microsoft Office applications for document and presentation preparation.

Desired:

• Experience with the NASA Human Health and Performance Directorate.
• Knowledge of human spaceflight, especially exercise countermeasures systems and operational implementation.
• Experience with systems integration or human systems integration.
• Knowledge of spaceflight analogs and research development.
• Familiarity with industry standards (e.g., NASA-STD-3001) and NASA Human Space Flight Programs.