Senior Faculty (TRISH Chief Scientific Officer)

Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Organisation: Baylor College of Medicine – Center for Space Medicine

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.

The Center for Space Medicine (CSM) at Baylor College of Medicine is seeking an experienced scientific leader to take on the role of Chief Scientist for the NASA-supported Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH).

This is a senior faculty position within one of the world’s leading institutions in space biomedical research and education. The successful candidate will play a central role in advancing research that supports human health and performance across the spectrum of spaceflight, from low Earth orbit to deep space exploration.

About the Organisation

Established in 2008, the Center for Space Medicine is a global leader in space biomedical research, education, and the translation of science into real-world impact on Earth.

TRISH operates as a virtual institute through CSM under a cooperative agreement with NASA, in collaboration with the California Institute of Technology and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Together, they lead a national effort to develop innovative solutions that reduce risks to human health in space.

The institute works closely with NASA’s Human Research Program and a broad network of academic, commercial, and government partners to translate cutting-edge research into operational solutions for space missions.

The Role

As Chief Scientist, the Senior Faculty member will provide strategic and scientific leadership across TRISH’s research portfolio. This includes overseeing key programmes, ensuring scientific excellence, and translating research into practical applications for spaceflight.

The role sits at the intersection of science, operations, and innovation, requiring both technical expertise and the ability to communicate complex ideas across diverse audiences.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Leading the TRISH Science Office within the strategic framework of CSM
• Driving delivery of core scientific programmes including Hermes, EXPAND, and SENTINEL
• Acting as a scientific representative to NASA and key stakeholders
• Overseeing research proposal evaluation for scientific and operational relevance
• Building and maintaining partnerships across academia, industry, and government
• Supporting translational research and testing in operational environments such as space analogues
• Contributing to scientific publications, reports, and presentations
• Mentoring students and supporting grant development

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will bring a strong combination of scientific leadership, operational experience, and a track record of delivering impactful research.

They will have:

• A doctorate in a STEM field or medicine
• Proven experience leading scientific teams and delivering complex projects
• A strong track record of securing and managing competitive research funding
• Experience working in extreme or resource-limited environments such as space, military, expeditionary, or global health settings
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders ranging from NASA to the public

Additional experience in translational research involving human subjects and an understanding of human physiology or spaceflight challenges would be advantageous.

Why This Role

This position offers the opportunity to shape the future of human space exploration while contributing to innovations that have direct benefits on Earth.

The successful candidate will join a globally recognised institution at the forefront of space health, working alongside leading organisations and contributing to the next generation of research, technology, and leadership in the field.