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Cognitive Psychologist Trainee Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Howard

Clinical Psychologist

Conrad, MT

$65K - $79K/yr

Provides training and supervision to trainees * Participates in in-service training programs ... but not limited to cognitive, emotional, academic, and social distress, identity development ...

Ucf

Director, Psychology Clinic

Orlando, FL

$98K/yr

D. programs in Clinical Psychology, Human Factors and Cognitive Psychology, and I/O Psychology. For ... Previous experience with clinical supervision of trainees using empirically supported assessment ...

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Cognitive Psychologist Trainee information

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$44.5K

$154.1K

$311K

How much do cognitive psychologist trainee jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for cognitive psychologist trainee in the United States is $154,056.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,500.00 and $223,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Cognitive Psychologist Trainees during their early training period?

Cognitive Psychologist Trainees often encounter challenges such as adapting to rigorous research methodologies, learning to design and conduct experiments, and balancing coursework with hands-on lab work. Working closely with supervisors and interdisciplinary teams, trainees must also develop strong analytical and communication skills to interpret data and present findings effectively. Navigating the steep learning curve of mastering new software and statistical tools is another common hurdle, but these experiences are invaluable for building a strong foundation in cognitive psychology research.

Is 25 too late to become a psychologist?

A Cognitive Psychologist Trainee can start their training at age 25, as many psychology programs accept students of various ages. While some roles require a doctoral degree, which can take several years to complete, age is not a barrier to entering the field if you meet the educational and licensing requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cognitive Psychologist Trainee, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cognitive Psychologist Trainee, you need a solid background in psychology, research methods, and statistics, typically supported by a relevant undergraduate or graduate degree. Familiarity with experimental design software, data analysis tools like SPSS or R, and neuroimaging systems is often required. Critical thinking, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help trainees excel in research and collaborative environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for conducting rigorous studies, interpreting complex data, and contributing meaningfully to advancements in cognitive psychology.

What does a Cognitive Psychologist Trainee do?

A Cognitive Psychologist Trainee assists in research and clinical activities focused on understanding mental processes such as memory, perception, problem-solving, and reasoning. They typically work under the supervision of experienced psychologists to learn experimental methods, collect and analyze data, and sometimes contribute to psychological assessments or interventions. Trainees also engage in coursework, seminars, and may help design studies to further understand how people think, learn, and remember. This role is often part of a graduate program or an internship designed to provide hands-on experience before becoming a licensed cognitive psychologist.

How much do trainee psychologists earn?

Trainee psychologists, including those training as cognitive psychologists, typically earn between $20,000 and $40,000 annually, depending on the country, institution, and funding source. Salaries often increase with experience, additional certifications, and the completion of training requirements, and may include benefits such as health insurance and paid leave.

Are cognitive psychologists in demand?

Cognitive psychologists are in steady demand in research, healthcare, and educational settings, especially as understanding of mental processes and brain function grows. Employment opportunities often require advanced degrees and research skills, with job growth aligned with broader psychology and healthcare trends.

Is it hard to become a cognitive psychologist?

Becoming a cognitive psychologist trainee typically requires earning a relevant master's or doctoral degree, which involves several years of coursework, research, and practical experience. Developing strong research skills, knowledge of experimental methods, and often obtaining supervised training are essential steps in the process.
What cities are hiring for Cognitive Psychologist Trainee jobs? Cities with the most Cognitive Psychologist Trainee job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Cognitive Psychologist jobs? The most popular types of Cognitive Psychologist jobs are:
What states have the most Cognitive Psychologist Trainee jobs? States with the most job openings for Cognitive Psychologist Trainee jobs include:
Cognitive Psychologist Trainee jobs near you
Staff Psychologist (Education Debt Repayment and Sign on Bonus)

Staff Psychologist (Education Debt Repayment and Sign on Bonus)

Veterans Health Administration

Battle Creek, MI • On-site, Remote

$101K - $157K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Veterans Health Administration rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 963 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

88th of 871 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Summary
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
Major duties of this position include but are not limited to:
  • Serves as a treatment provider conducting assessment interviews, composing psychosocial assessment reports, formulating diagnostic impressions, developing treatment plans, providing psychotherapy to patients through individual and group sessions, making referrals for aftercare and placement, and documenting services provided and the course of treatment of patients.
  • Performs professional work describing human behavior, determining the reasons for that behavior and predicting and/or modifying the behavior.
  • Administers/scores or evaluates psychodiagnostic tests.
  • Administers and interprets a variety of psychological/psychodiagnostic group and individual tests selected by the incumbent and composes reports summarizing and interpreting psychological testing results. Through testing and clinical
  • interviews and observation, assesses intelligence, behavior and personality variables. Assists in differential diagnosis. Serves as an authoritative source of information in the use and interpretation of tests to differentiate the basis for patients' symptomatology. Is capable of supervising others in the use of psychological tests.
  • Provides expert consultation to others with regard to test administration and evaluation.
  • Gathers objective psychodiagnostic information.
  • Conducts interviews, uses rating scales, questionnaires or other measurement devices or observes the patient to assess emotional, functional or psychological condition. Has an expert professional mastery of the assessment tools available to effectively diagnose abnormalities or variations thereof in the specialized area of psychology. Provides a practical environment for assessment in the specialization.
  • Plans Effective Treatment. Based on data gathered during the assessment, plans an appropriate clinical treatment for individual patients.
  • Conceptualizes, develops and presents detailed treatment plans for a full range of psychological services for a specialized unit or an entire location Patients' ages and varying environmental factors are extremely diverse.
  • Administers Treatment. Plans and conducts group and individual psychotherapy, effectively utilizing one or more of the following
    therapeutic techniques: cognitive-behavioral, evidence- based psychotherapeutic approaches, behavior modification, supportive, analytic, eclectic, biofeedback, hypnosis, meditation, couples or family therapy, treatment of sexual dysfunction, etc. Promotes, supervises or provides individual and group psychotherapy. Conducts psychotherapy in difficult, multifaceted cases. As an expert in the specialized area, serves as a key member of the multidisciplinary team providing the full range of psychotherapy for a widely diverse
    patient base.
  • Evaluates/Adjusts treatment, as necessary. Continually monitors patient's progress. Determines when reassessment is appropriate and adjusts treatment plan accordingly. Maintains current knowledge of psychotherapeutic techniques by reviewing and/or participating in research and/or attending relevant continuing education. Independently exercises authoritative judgment in the adjustment of treatment plans. Serves as expert psychological resource for the multidisciplinary team or devises programs that employ psychological techniques to ensure a therapeutic environment.
  • Participates in provision of a psychologically therapeutic program or clinic in the area of assignment in the Medical Center, as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team. Oversees other professionals or works as a key team member providing comprehensive care for a group of individuals. Promotes a psychotherapeutic atmosphere among the professional treatment staff.
  • Serves as a member of planning committees for evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment program and modifying it to better serve the needs of the patients, when called upon to do so.
  • Provides consultation to other staff professionals in an attempt to promote and preserve a therapeutic environment for individual patients.
    Encourages or establishes a standard for general therapeutic techniques in dealing with all patients. Provides advice regarding appropriate staff response toward a patient or specific environmental factors that will stimulate more self reliance, reduce anxiety, or achieve more socially adaptable behavior patterns.
  • Instructs and supervises psychology trainees or interns, medical students, or residents in the assessment and provision of psychological services in the medical center.

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Recruitment/Relocation incentive Authorized for highly qualified applicants
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
  • All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Must pass pre-employment driver's physical examination.
  • Current and active driver's license.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • English Language Proficiency Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.
  • Education Requirement - You must have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the program was completed. The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. OR, have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully completed a re-specialization program meeting both of the following conditions: a) the re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and b) the specialty in which you were retrained is consistent with the assignment you are am applying for; OR, have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.
  • Internship Requirement - You must have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that was accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed; OR, New VHA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement, provided that such programs were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern; OR, VHA facilities that offered fulltime, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement; OR, Applicants who completed an internship that was not accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed may be considered eligible for hire only if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. (NOTE: Once board certified, the employee is required to maintain board certification). NOTE: Applicants who have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature may fulfill this internship requirement by having the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience in a site specifically acceptable to the candidate's doctoral program. If the internship experience is not noted on the applicant's official transcript, the applicant must provide a statement from the doctoral program verifying that the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience was completed in a site acceptable to the doctoral program.
  • Licensure: Candidates must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Experience: In additional to meeting the basic requirements as stated above, you must have the following:
  • GS-12:At least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Psychologists who are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist but with less intense supervision than at the GS-11 grade level.
    Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

  1. Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations.
  2. Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies.
  3. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures.
  4. Ability to conduct research activities, such as designing and implementing clinical research projects (staff psychologists with specified research job duties).
  5. Ability to perform basic research tasks of scholarship and research execution within the context of an established research team, including research participant relations, research documentation, data acquisition, maintenance, and collaboration.

  • GS-13: Level: at least 2 addition years of experience, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level, as a professional psychologist that was obtained through employment as a psychologist or through participating in a supervised post-doctoral psychology training program that demonstrates 1) active professional practice that was paid/non-paid employment and/or 2) a full, current and unrestricted license. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current psychology practice:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  1. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to a full range of patient populations.
  2. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health.
  3. Knowledge of clinical research literature.*Experience is only creditable if it is post-doctoral degree experience as a professional psychologist directly related to the duties performed.

Reference: Psychologist Qualification Standard
Physical Requirements: Light Lifting (under 15 lbs); Light carrying (under 15 lbs); Straight pulling (1hr); Walking (2hr); Standing (2hr); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Hearing aid permitted.
Education
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, scho...

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About Veterans Health Administration

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, serving millions of Veterans each year. Located in Phoenix, AZ, and many other parts of the US, the VHA operates under the Department of Veteran Affairs, as suggested by their official website va.gov. The VHA is dedicated to providing the highest level of comprehensive care to its veterans. The organization offers a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care, including mental health services, research, and pharmacy benefits.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Phoenix, AZ, US

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