Program Research and Operations (PRO) Lead

Description

 The Biomedical and Environmental Research Department (BERD) Program Research and Operations (PRO) Lead position fills an integral role as part of the NASA SK Exploration Sciences Integration Office (ESIO) Division Support team. The PRO Lead will play a crucial role by enhancing communication and coordination between the Biomedical Research & Environmental Sciences (BR&ES) Division Management, NASA and BERD Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and the NASA Chief Health & Performance Officer (CHPO) for various Exploration Program processes. They will be responsible for implementing effective integration solutions, identifying opportunities for cross-program/discipline collaboration, and monitoring and reporting on SME utilization and program requirements support. The PRO Lead’s principal focus will be the Human Landing System (HLS) program; primarily in support of Human Research Program (HRP) and Mars Campaign Office (MCO) requirements.
 

The objective of the HLS Program is to ensure continuous capabilities are available to support NASA’s goal of frequent and regular lunar surface missions. The HLS Program works to minimize risks and optimize development of these types of systems. As a PRO Lead for BR&ES, this position will work with various Division technical SMEs to compile inputs for each discipline and develop integrated responses for BR&ES to provide to HLS and other programs as needed. Performing this job effectively will require maintaining a broad knowledge of human health and performance requirements (including requirements pertaining to crew health, environmental factors, medical operations, physiology, anthropometry, strength and biomechanics, maintenance and housekeeping, safety, habitability and architecture, information management, and displays and controls). This will involve engaging SMEs for technical details, implementing Human Systems Integration (HSI) strategies, and reporting to the ESIO and BR&ES Division Management.
 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

•  Coordinate with technical SMEs within the Biomedical Research & Environmental Sciences Division
• Coordinate with NASA Program requirement owners
• Compile integrated responses based on SME inputs and present to BR&ES Technical Monitors (TM) and Division Management
• Coordinate and participate in NASA Program and commercial provider document and design reviews, develop corresponding summary assessments, and follow up on resulting actions
• Document and track actions, concerns, and decisions
•  Participate in the HLS Integration Panel and other NASA Exploration Program meetings, BR&ES Division Management meetings, and internal team meetings; develop and deliver presentations as necessary.
• Obtain and maintain an in-depth understanding and awareness of ongoing projects and tasks within the Anthropometry, Injury Biomechanics, & Ergonomics Laboratory (AIBEL) and the EVA & Exercise Physiology Laboratory (EEPL); especially those related to HLS 
• Work with TMs, HHPC Laboratory and Technical area Leads to implement research activities outlined in strategic plans and roadmaps
• Attend and present updates in the Biomedical Research & Environmental Sciences– Integration Forum (BRES-IF) weekly meeting
• Provide inputs to weekly and monthly status reports
• Demonstrate a positive problem-solving attitude with an enthusiasm for working as part of an exceptional team
• Demonstrate a strong work ethic and commitment to the customer and team
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Perform other duties as assigned 

Requirements

Education & Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering, or related field and at least 15 years of experience  or combination of graduate-level education and experience (PhD and 10 years experience)
• Experience in human research, physiology, or spaceflight operations.
• Strong background in program integration and stakeholder coordination.

Desired:

•  Demonstrated experience in integration or HSI
• Experience with NASA Human Health and Performance Directorate and/or NASA Technical Authority
• Knowledge of human spaceflight, especially extravehicular activity (EVA) operations, spacesuits, and HLS. 
• Experience conducting or coordinating human research
  
   

Skills & Training

Required:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team; employee will be required to work and communicate with personnel across multiple JSC Directorates
•  Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to listen, understand, and accurately represent SME positions while not to serving as the expert to the exclusion of the SME
• Highly motivated with developed organizational skills; must be able to work independently with minimal oversight and support multiple projects
• Demonstrated real-time problem solving skills 
• Ability to translate concepts across multiple disciplines
• Standard PC and Microsoft Office skills for preparation of documents and presentations

Desired:

•  Familiarity with industry standards (e.g., NASA-STD-3001) and NASA human space flight programs