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Behavioral Science Research Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... Behavioral Science (BeSci) team with the ownership of two external-facing functions: building and managing Clinical Research partnerships, and establishing and coordinating a Clinical Advisory Board.

New

Diving into fundamental topics on RL with broader applications and potential imitative behavior ... Work closely with other Research Scientists and interns on research publications for submission to ...

Clinical Scientist

Tustin, CA · On-site

$130K/yr

... Behavioral Science (BeSci) team with the ownership of two external-facing functions: building and managing Clinical Research partnerships, and establishing and coordinating a Clinical Advisory Board.

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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:

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.

People Research Scientist, Recruiting

Anthropic

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 19 hours ago


Job description

About the role

We are seeking a Recruiting Research Scientist to join our People Data Solutions team. You'll be the research expert supporting our Recruiting organization, using rigorous scientific methods to advance our understanding of recruiting funnels, interview effectiveness, candidate experience, and recruiting capacity. This role sits at the intersection of organizational science, behavioral research, and people strategy - developing novel frameworks and conducting systematic research that drives evidence-based people decisions across our growing organization.

This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on both our recruiting practices and the broader field of people science at a leading AI safety company.

Responsibilities

Research design & scientific inquiry

  • Design and execute systematic research studies to answer fundamental questions about recruiting funnel health, assessment quality, candidate experience, and quality of hire

  • Generate and test hypotheses about sourcing strategies, interview design, and selection decisions using rigorous experimental and quasi-experimental methods

  • Conduct mixed-method research to understand what are the drivers and blockers to recruiting operations. 

  • Navigate research ethics considerations when studying candidate data, ensuring responsible research practices

Selection & assessment research

  • Design and execute validation studies to assess the quality of interviews and other selection tools

  • Utilize psychometric techniques to analyze and improve interviewer calibration and rating consistency

  • Lead investigative research into innovative approaches for candidate assessment 

Metrics design and governance

  • Design the metrics framework for recruiting org health - defining the canonical KPIs, dimensions, and definitions that leadership uses to understand funnel performance, capacity, and hiring quality

  • Establish the governance and definitional rigor that keeps metrics consistent across tools and reporting surfaces

Analytical solution building

  • Architect analytical solutions that convert research insights into actionable products, empowering stakeholders to execute data-driven scenario and strategic planning

  • Quantify the adoption and downstream impact of deployed tools, driving iterative improvements 

Visualization & communication

  • Build compelling visualizations and dashboards that make complex research findings accessible to diverse audiences

  • Present research findings to senior leadership with clear, actionable recommendations

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Hold an advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in I/O Psychology, Organizational Behavior, Statistics, Data Science, Economics, Behavioral Science, or a related research field

  • Have experience with selection research, assessment validation, psychometrics, or recruiting funnel analytics

  • Are comfortable working in the People Analytics tech stack and collaborating with data engineers

  • Are proficient in SQL and Python/R, with experience in statistical analysis and machine learning

  • Have experience with data visualization and can tell compelling stories with research findings

  • Possess excellent communication skills and can influence stakeholders at all levels

  • Thrive in ambiguity and can balance rigor with pragmatism

  • Have a track record of challenging assumptions with data and changing long-held practices

  • Can navigate sensitive topics diplomatically while maintaining analytical rigor

  • Demonstrate intellectual humility and comfort with iterative discovery

  • Use data to improve how organizations find, assess, and hire talent

Preferred Qualifications:
  • 5 +  years of experience in research, people analytics, or related quantitative fields with demonstrated research methodology expertise

  • Background in recruiting analytics specifically (not just general analytics)

  • Experience running interview or assessment validation studies 

  • Experience building self-service analytics tools or dashboards

  • Previous experience in high-growth technology companies or AI/ML organizations

  • Familiarity with network analysis, machine learning, or advanced statistical methods

  • Experience with BigQuery and modern data stack tools

  • Experience with Greenhouse, Gem, ModernLoop, or similar recruiting tools