Postdoctoral Associate - Psychological Sciences

About the role

The Rice Space Institute (RSI)’s Center for Space Technologies (CSTx) Human Performance Team at Rice University, directed by Drs. Eduardo Salas, Jing Chen, and Rebecca Brossoit, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will be involved in interdisciplinary projects that apply human factors, human-robot interaction, human-AI teaming, and well-being research to human space exploration missions as part of a new Texas Space Commission‑funded project. They will work collaboratively with the three PIs in the Department of Psychological Sciences and have opportunities to work with collaborators affiliated with NASA and Rice Engineering. This is a one‑year term limited position with the possibility of extension based upon need and available funding.

The position is based on Rice University's campus in the Department of Psychological Sciences, located in Sewall Hall. Work is performed primarily in an office or shared lab space, involving extended periods of computer work with sitting or standing desk options available. Depending on the role, some duties may take place at partner sites in the greater Houston area. The postdoctoral researcher will work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment and interact with faculty, students, and research collaborators. Local travel between campus buildings or off‑site research locations may be required; occasional domestic travel to conferences or collaborators is also possible. Specific work schedules, travel expectations, and other logistical arrangements will be discussed with the selected candidate. Rice University is a private, comprehensive research university located in the heart of Houston’s dynamic Museum District, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees across eight schools with approximately 4,800 undergraduate and 4,100 graduate students. It consistently ranks among the top 20 national universities and the top 10 in undergraduate teaching (US News & World Report); its endowment ranks among the top 25 of US universities. In 2026, the Department of Psychological Sciences was ranked 13th in Best Colleges for Psychology in America by Niche. Houston has been characterized as the most diverse city in America. The position is exclusively on‑site, necessitating all duties to be performed in‑person at 6100 Main Street, Sewall Hall, Houston, TX 77005. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support research projects related to human factors, human-robot interaction, human-AI teaming, and well-being research pertaining to human space exploration missions
• Conduct comprehensive cross-disciplinary literature reviews to establish theoretical and empirical foundations for projects
• Design study methodology, measurement approaches, standard operating procedures, and IRB protocols in collaboration with Principal Investigators