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How much do behavioral science research jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for behavioral science research in California is $70.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52.45 and $78.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is behavioral science research?

A Behavioral Science Research job involves studying human behavior using scientific methods to understand decision-making, social interactions, and psychological processes. Researchers collect and analyze data through experiments, surveys, and observations to identify patterns and influences on behavior. Their work is applied in various fields, including psychology, sociology, economics, and public policy, to improve health, education, marketing, and workplace dynamics.

What are the typical responsibilities of someone working in behavioral science research?

Professionals in Behavioral Science Research are commonly responsible for designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing reports or presentations for stakeholders. Their work often involves collaborating with other researchers, healthcare professionals, or policy experts to understand and influence behavior in various contexts. A typical day may include literature reviews, developing research protocols, conducting interviews or surveys, and presenting findings to both academic and non-academic audiences. The role offers varied and intellectually stimulating tasks while contributing to evidence-based decision-making within organizations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in behavioral science research?

To thrive in Behavioral Science Research, you need a strong background in psychology, sociology, or a related field, along with experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods. Familiarity with statistical analysis software such as SPSS or R, as well as research management tools, is highly valued. Strong analytical thinking, collaboration, and excellent written and verbal communication skills help you interpret findings and work effectively within multidisciplinary teams. Mastering these skills enables you to design robust studies, generate actionable insights, and contribute meaningfully to projects impacting human behavior.

Is behavioral science research in high demand?

Behavioral science research is increasingly in demand across industries such as healthcare, marketing, and public policy, as organizations seek to understand human behavior to improve outcomes. Professionals in this field with strong analytical skills and knowledge of research methods are often sought after, especially as data-driven decision making becomes more prevalent.

What can I do with a behavioral science research degree?

A behavioral science research degree prepares individuals for roles such as behavioral analyst, research scientist, or data analyst, focusing on understanding human behavior and decision-making. Graduates can work in academia, healthcare, marketing, or government agencies, often utilizing research methods, statistical tools, and psychological theories. These roles typically require strong analytical skills and knowledge of research design and data analysis software.

What can I do with a career in behavioral science research?

A career in behavioral science research involves studying human behavior to inform policies, improve products, or develop interventions. Professionals in this field often work in academia, government, or private sectors, utilizing research methods, data analysis, and psychological theories to address real-world issues.

What does a behavioral science researcher do?

A behavioral science researcher studies human behavior and decision-making processes using scientific methods. They design experiments, analyze data, and apply psychological and social theories to understand and influence behavior, often working with statistical tools and research protocols.

What are the most commonly searched types of Behavioral Science Research jobs in California?

The most popular types of Behavioral Science Research jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Behavioral Science Research jobs in California?

For Behavioral Science Research jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Behavioral Science Research jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Behavioral Science Research jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Behavioral Science Research jobs?

Cities in California with the most Behavioral Science Research job openings:

Behavioral Science Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Behavioral Science Research job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $146,074 per year, or $70.2 per hour.

AI Research Scientist, Adaptive Behavior Systems

Toyota Research Institute

Los Altos, CA • On-site

$176K - $253K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 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.

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