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Behavioral Research Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Research Scientist

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$180K - $300K/yr

About the Role We're looking for a Research Scientist to investigate how intervening on training data can improve the quality and shape the behavior of deep learning models. You'll source and ...

Research Scientist

Hoboken, NJ · On-site +1

$98K - $133K/yr

Area to join its research team as a Research Scientist to support highly technical research and ... PhD preferred Courses in behavioral and social sciences, e.g., human-computer interaction Domain ...

... behavior and device function. Responsibilities include conducting highquality scientific research; preparing clear, evaluative reports; and making datadriven recommendations to advance, redirect, or ...

Assess model behavior, limitations, and interpretability in scientific contexts, and communicate ... Research publications, benchmarks, and methodological contributions * Reusable modeling frameworks ...

Assess model behavior, limitations, and interpretability in scientific contexts, and communicate ... Research publications, benchmarks, and methodological contributions * Reusable modeling frameworks ...

We are seeking a Research Scientist to join our Health Science team, with a specific focus on ... A PhD in a relevant field such as psychology, neuroscience, behavioral or health sciences, sleep ...

Research Scientist / Machine Learning Scientist Location: SF Bay Area/Hybrid / Remote Type ... Responsibilities: • Design and conduct experiments to evaluate AI model behavior across reasoning ...

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Behavioral Research Scientist information

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$50.5K

$130.1K

$174K

How much do behavioral research scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for behavioral research scientist in the United States is $130,117.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a behavioral research scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Behavioral Research Scientist, you need a solid foundation in psychology, research design, and statistical analysis, typically supported by an advanced degree such as a Master's or Ph.D. in a related field. Familiarity with statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R, Python) and experience with data collection tools and IRB processes are commonly required. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are essential for designing rigorous studies, analyzing complex behavioral data, and clearly conveying research findings to both scientific and non-technical audiences.

Is behavioral research scientist in high demand?

Behavioral research scientists are in growing demand across academia, healthcare, and technology sectors due to increased focus on understanding human behavior and decision-making. The role often requires strong analytical skills, knowledge of research methodologies, and proficiency with statistical tools, with employment prospects improving as organizations prioritize behavioral insights.

What jobs do behavioral research scientists do?

Behavioral research scientists design and conduct experiments to study human and animal behavior, analyze data using statistical tools, and develop insights to inform psychological theories or practical applications. They often work in academic, healthcare, or corporate settings, utilizing methods such as surveys, observations, and neuroimaging. Strong analytical skills and knowledge of research ethics are essential for this role.

How do behavioral research scientists typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a research project?

Behavioral Research Scientists frequently work alongside professionals from various disciplines, such as data analysts, product managers, and designers, to ensure research findings are actionable and aligned with organizational goals. They often lead the design and implementation of experiments but also rely on technical staff for data collection and analysis, and on stakeholders for integrating insights into strategic decisions. Effective communication and project management skills are essential, as scientists must clearly convey research implications and coordinate timelines across teams. This collaborative approach not only enhances the quality of research but also broadens the scientist’s impact within the organization.

What is a behavioral research scientist?

Behavioral Research Scientists are professionals who study human behavior through scientific methods. They design and conduct experiments, analyze data, and interpret results to understand how people think, feel, and act in different situations. Their work often informs interventions, policies, and programs in fields such as psychology, public health, education, and marketing. By uncovering patterns in behavior, they help organizations and policymakers make evidence-based decisions.

What qualifications do you need to be a behavioral research scientist?

A behavioral research scientist typically needs a doctoral degree in psychology, neuroscience, or a related field, along with strong research skills and experience in experimental design and data analysis. Proficiency with statistical software and research methodologies is also important, and relevant certifications or publications can enhance qualifications.
More about Behavioral Research Scientist jobs
What cities are hiring for Behavioral Research Scientist jobs? Cities with the most Behavioral Research Scientist job openings:
What states have the most Behavioral Research Scientist jobs? States with the most job openings for Behavioral Research Scientist jobs include:
Infographic showing various Behavioral Research Scientist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, and 18% Part Time. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,117 per year, or $62.6 per hour.

AI Research Scientist, Adaptive Behavior Systems

Toyota Research Institute

Los Altos, CA • On-site

$176K - $253K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

At Toyota Research Institute (TRI), we’re on a mission to improve the quality of human life. We’re developing new tools and capabilities to amplify the human experience. To lead this transformative shift in mobility, we’ve built a world-class team advancing the state of the art in AI, robotics, driving, and material sciences.


The Team 
 
TRI’s Adaptive Behavior Systems Department within our Human-Centered AI (HCAI) Division aims to develop AI systems that can support behavior change, such as reducing carbon emissions. To do this, we are developing novel models of human behavior that integrate behavioral science, Human-Computer Interaction, and advanced machine learning.
 
The Opportunity
 
We are looking for an AI Research Scientist or Senior AI Scientist with expertise in large-scale foundational model training, fine-tuning, evaluation, and benchmarking. This role operates at the forefront of generative machine learning and human behavior modeling. Ideal candidates will bring a strong research track record, hands-on experimentation skills, and experience developing and deploying foundational models. This role sits at the intersection of social science and generative AI, building models that represent human beliefs, preferences, and cognition as they change over time. For an example of our early research in this vein, please see https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.20252.
Responsibilities
  • Conduct machine learning research that integrates behavioral science concepts to push the boundaries of knowledge and the state of the art in Human-Centered AI.
  • Develop and evaluate generative AI and machine learning methods for modeling and understanding human behavior.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with researchers in multiple fields, as well as university partners.
  • Stay up to date on the state-of-the-art in machine learning theories, methods and tooling.
  • Collaborate with scientists in the Adaptive Behavioral Systems Department to shape our research program and to communicate research to Toyota stakeholders.
  • Publish research findings in academic journals and/or conferences.
  • Contribute to technology transfer of research insights and prototypes throughout Toyota.
Qualifications
  • PhD in computer science, machine learning, or a closely related field with 1-7 years of experience in machine learning research or related projects in an industry setting, particularly in areas related to LLM training or large-scale ML. Industry experience is a plus. 
  • A strong publication record in ML, NLP, deep learning, or related fields.
  • Awareness of current machine learning research and the ability to critically evaluate emerging techniques and literature.
  • Experience with LLM/MLLM pretraining, fine-tuning (e.g., SFT, RLHF) and agentic systems.
  • Proficiency in  Python and modern deep learning frameworks such as Pytorch or Tensorflow
  • Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and functions.
  • Ability to balance multiple projects, including short-term and those that may span several years.
  • Strong project management skills and desire to work on cutting-edge open-ended research projects.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently identify research opportunities, formulate well-scoped problems, and lead research projects end-to-end.
  • Demonstrated ability to work autonomously while soliciting feedback.
  • Strong interpersonal skills. Great teammate.
Bonus Qualifications
  • Experience with one or more of the following areas: diffusion models, uncertainty modeling, reinforcement learning, and physiological signal processing.
  • Previous experience in human modeling (both cognitive and behavioral) with generative AI.
  • Experience with human-centered research (e.g. computational behavioral and social science, human-computer interaction, neuro-science).
Please add a link to Google Scholar to include a full list of publications when submitting your CV for this position.
 
The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between $176,000 and $253,500/year for California-based roles. Base pay offered will depend on multiple individualized factors, including, but not limited to, a candidate's experience, skills, job-related knowledge, and market location. TRI offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) eligibility, paid time off benefits (including vacation, sick time, and parental leave), and an annual cash bonus structure. Additional details regarding these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.

Please reference this Candidate Privacy Notice to inform you of the categories of personal information that we collect from individuals who inquire about and/or apply to work for Toyota Research Institute, Inc. or its subsidiaries, including Toyota A.I. Ventures GP, L.P., and the purposes for which we use such personal information.
 
TRI is fueled by a diverse and inclusive community of people with unique backgrounds, education and life experiences. We are dedicated to fostering an innovative and collaborative environment by living the values that are an essential part of our culture. We believe diversity makes us stronger and are proud to provide Equal Employment Opportunity for all, without regard to an applicant’s race, color, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, religion, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state or local laws.
 
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.