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Exercise Research Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Ability to exercise sound clinical judgment and maintain professionalism in high-pressure or ... Familiarity with research imaging modalities such as OCT, electroretinography (ERG), ultrasound, or ...

Senior Research Analyst

Houston, TX

$110K - $111K/yr

The Senior Research Analyst responds to complex legal, corporate, and industry research requests ... Exercise judgment and accountability in prioritizing billable workflow and either meeting or ...

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Showing results 1-20

Exercise Research information

See Houston, TX salary details

$26.7K

$86.3K

$147.1K

How much do exercise research jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for exercise research in Houston, TX is $86,348.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,800.00 and $94,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is exercise research?

Exercise research is the scientific study of physical activity, its effects on the human body, and how exercise can be used to prevent or treat health conditions. Researchers in this field investigate topics like exercise physiology, biomechanics, sports performance, rehabilitation, and the psychological impacts of physical activity. The goal is to understand how different types, intensities, and frequencies of exercise influence health, fitness, and overall well-being. Exercise research informs guidelines for physical activity and helps develop interventions to improve public health.

What are jobs in exercise research?

Jobs in exercise research include exercise physiologists who research the human body and how it responds and adapts to exercise. As an exercise physiologist, you examine the human response to exercise. Your responsibilities involve the study of subjects in controlled lab settings. You develop tests to prove a thesis by recording physical, metabolic, and development information. Other duties can include working in an exercise science department at a research institute or post-secondary school. Keeping up to date on current peer-reviewed exercise science research is a critical part of your job. As a researcher, you travel to various locations to research and test subjects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an exercise researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Exercise Researcher, you need a strong background in exercise science, physiology, research methodology, and typically a relevant advanced degree such as a master's or PhD. Familiarity with statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R), laboratory equipment, and human performance testing tools is essential. Critical thinking, attention to detail, and strong written and verbal communication skills set outstanding researchers apart. These skills and qualifications are crucial for designing rigorous studies, accurately analyzing data, and effectively communicating findings to advance the field.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in exercise research, and how are they typically addressed?

Professionals in exercise research often encounter challenges such as recruiting a sufficient and diverse participant pool, ensuring compliance with study protocols, and controlling for external variables that may affect outcomes. These challenges are typically addressed through strategic partnerships with local fitness centers or clinics, the use of robust study designs, and careful data management. Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, including statisticians and clinicians, also helps ensure methodological rigor and the reliability of research findings.

What is the difference between Exercise Research vs Exercise Physiologist?

AspectExercise ResearchExercise Physiologist
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees (Master's/PhD), research certificationsBachelor's or Master's degree in exercise science, certification (e.g., ACSM)
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, healthcare institutionsClinics, hospitals, fitness centers, community health programs
Employer & Industry UsageAcademic, research institutions, government agenciesHealthcare, fitness, rehabilitation facilities
Primary FocusConducting studies, developing exercise protocols, advancing scientific knowledgeDesigning and implementing exercise programs for health and rehabilitation

Exercise Research focuses on scientific studies and developing new exercise protocols, often within academic or research settings. In contrast, Exercise Physiologists apply this knowledge directly to patient care and fitness programs. Both roles require related credentials but serve different purposes within the health and fitness industry.

How do I become an exercise researcher?

To become an exercise researcher, typically a bachelor's degree in exercise science, kinesiology, or a related field is required, often followed by a master's or doctoral degree for advanced roles. Gaining experience through internships, research assistant positions, and developing skills in data analysis and laboratory techniques are important steps. Certification or training in research methods and familiarity with relevant tools like statistical software can also enhance job prospects.

What careers can you get with exercise research?

Careers in exercise research include roles such as exercise physiologist, sports scientist, research analyst, and clinical exercise specialist. These positions often require knowledge of human physiology, data analysis skills, and certifications like ACSM or NSCA, and may involve working in laboratories, healthcare settings, or sports organizations.

What are popular job titles related to Exercise Research jobs in Houston, TX?

For Exercise Research jobs in Houston, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Exercise Research jobs in Houston, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Exercise Research jobs in Houston, TX are:

What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Exercise Research jobs?

Cities near Houston, TX with the most Exercise Research job openings:

Infographic showing various Exercise Research job openings in Houston, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 89% In-person, and 11% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $86,348 per year, or $41.5 per hour.

Human Performance Research Assistant (Physiologist)

KBR, Inc.

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


KBR rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 48 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

143rd of 449 rated engineering


Job description

Title:
Human Performance Research Assistant (Physiologist)
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.
On the Human Health and Performance Contract, we are at the forefront of safeguarding astronaut health, ensuring human performance, and advancing technologies for human space exploration.
We are seeking an Exercise Physiology & Countermeasures Research Assistant at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, TX.
What You'll Do:
In this role, you will support the Exercise Physiology and Countermeasures (EPC) team in advancing human health and performance for exploration missions. You will help transition research into operational use, validate exercise countermeasure systems, and support human-performance testing in laboratory, analog, and field environments.
Your primary interfaces will span the NASA Human Health and Performance Directorate, Flight Operations, engineering groups, crewmembers, clinical personnel, research collaborators, and human test subjects.
You will:
• Support project leads in implementing research activities outlined in EPC strategic roadmaps
• Coordinate human research studies and engineering evaluations, including scheduling, logistics, and integration with study teams and stakeholders
• Prepare study documentation such as IRB protocols, test plans, readiness review packages, and progress reports
• Design, implement, and maintain data-acquisition systems for physiological and performance testing
• Perform equipment setup, calibration, troubleshooting, and monitoring during tests and evaluations
• Collect physiological and performance data during research studies, operational training, and analog missions
• Support validation of exercise countermeasure hardware, wearable sensors, and human-system interaction technologies
• Contribute to development of conditioning programs and performance protocols for crew health and mission readiness
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory requirements
• Complete all assigned training and perform other duties as required
What You Bring:
You bring experience leading research and operational activities in human performance environments. You use your experience and judgment to coordinate complex studies, ensure data quality, maintain safety standards, and communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams including astronauts, clinicians, engineers, physiologists, and researchers. You comply with KBR's Safety, Health and Environmental Plan, Quality Plan, and all safety policies and procedures, and complete all assigned training.
Your Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in physiology, kinesiology, exercise science, or related field, plus ~5 years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of graduate education and experience
• Experience conducting human health and performance research, including physiological monitoring and/or kinematic analysis
• U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency
Desired:
• Master's degree in physiology, kinesiology, exercise science, or related field
• Experience evaluating hardware such as wearable sensors or health-related equipment
• Experience conducting operational studies of human performance or human-system interactions, especially in spaceflight or analog environments
Your Skills:
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple JSC directorates
• Ability to communicate effectively with human test subjects, astronauts, engineers, and clinical personnel
• Strong organizational skills and ability to support multiple concurrent projects
• Attention to detail and understanding of human-performance capabilities and interactions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard PC tools
• (Desired) Familiarity with NASA HHP, human spaceflight operations, exercise countermeasure systems, human-systems integration, spaceflight analogs, and NASA standards (e.g., NASA-STD-3001)
What to Expect:
This position is expected to be 100% on site at NASA JSC. Occasional travel may be required.
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 an 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 Benefits
KBR offers a selection of 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 New | KBR
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.

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About KBR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At KBR, we partner with government and industry clients to provide purposeful and comprehensive solutions with an emphasis on efficiency and safety. With a full portfolio of services, proprietary technologies and expertise, our employees are ready to handle projects and missions from planning and design to sustainability and maintenance. Whether at the bottom of the ocean or in outer space, our clients trust us to deliver the impossible on a daily basis.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Houston, TX, US

Year founded

1998