1

Cognitive Science Research Jobs in San Ramon, CA

Staff Research Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$195K - $230K/yr

Have a PhD or Master's in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Linguistics, or comparable (or equivalent research experience). Onsite Interviews Our final round of interviews ...

What We're Building at Simplex At Simplex, we're building a science of intelligence. Our aim is to ... cognitive tasks, and pushing toward tools reliable enough to matter for safety. We are also hiring ...

Showing results 21-40

Cognitive Science Research information

See San Ramon, CA salary details

$31

$62

$92

How much do cognitive science research jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for cognitive science research in San Ramon, CA is $62.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49.18 and $75.24 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cognitive science research?

A Cognitive Science Research job involves studying how the mind works by integrating knowledge from psychology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, linguistics, philosophy, and anthropology. Researchers conduct experiments, analyze data, and develop theories about cognition, perception, decision-making, and learning. They may work in academic settings, tech companies, healthcare, or government institutions to apply their findings to real-world problems like AI development, user experience design, or mental health treatments.

What jobs can you get with cognitive science research?

With a background in cognitive science research, common jobs include cognitive scientist, user experience researcher, data analyst, human factors specialist, and research scientist. These roles often require skills in experimental design, data analysis, and understanding of human cognition, and may involve working in academia, industry, or government agencies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in cognitive science research, and why are they important?

To thrive in Cognitive Science Research, you need a strong background in psychology, neuroscience, computer science, and experimental design, typically supported by an advanced degree in cognitive science or a related field. Experience with data analysis tools (such as Python, R, MATLAB), statistical software, and methods like neuroimaging or behavioral experiments is highly valuable. Critical thinking, curiosity, and strong written and verbal communication skills help researchers collaborate effectively and share findings. These competencies are crucial for driving innovative, rigorous research that advances understanding in this interdisciplinary field.

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

A cognitive science researcher typically designs and conducts experiments, analyzes data sets, and interprets findings to understand human cognition and behavior. The role often involves collaborating with interdisciplinary teams including psychologists, neuroscientists, and computer scientists. You may contribute to published research, present at conferences, and keep up-to-date with advances in the field. Daily tasks can vary but often include literature reviews, experiment setup, data coding, and participating in team meetings. This dynamic environment provides numerous opportunities to develop expertise and shape the direction of future research.

Is cognitive science research in demand?

Cognitive science research is in demand in academic, healthcare, and technology sectors, especially as interest grows in artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and neuroscience. Researchers with skills in data analysis, programming, and experimental design are sought after, and opportunities often require advanced degrees such as a master's or Ph.D.
What job categories do people searching Cognitive Science Research jobs in San Ramon, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Cognitive Science Research jobs in San Ramon, CA are:
What cities near San Ramon, CA are hiring for Cognitive Science Research jobs? Cities near San Ramon, CA with the most Cognitive Science Research job openings:
Infographic showing various Cognitive Science Research job openings in San Ramon, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,918 per year, or $62.9 per hour.

Research Scientist, Demography and Survey Sciences

Meta

Menlo Park, CA

$147K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday


Meta rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

136th of 242 rated software companies


Job description

The Demography and Survey Science team's mission is to improve the way we make decisions and measure impact both within and outside of Meta. We collect and analyze rich survey and behavioral datasets to understand new challenges, solve problems, and shape decisions. We are looking for quantitative social scientists with experience answering complex research questions to join us in this effort.Our interdisciplinary team includes those with expertise in statistical inference, survey methodology, causal inference and econometrics, regression modeling, exploratory data analysis, and mathematical demography, among other areas. In this role, you’ll own research end-to-end. This means you’ll navigate trade-offs while designing projects, proposing appropriate methodologies, analyzing data, and communicating results to broad audiences in order to drive impactful decisions.Strong candidates may include social scientists, applied statisticians, or other applied researchers with expertise in quantitative research methods, experience working with large datasets and relational databases, and experience with survey methodology (e.g., bias correction, sampling). We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate methodological rigor, experience communicating research findings in writing and in presentations to technical and non-technical stakeholders, and the ability to make research design choices that balance competing tradeoffs effectively.
Research Scientist, Demography and Survey Sciences Responsibilities:
  • Develop a research agenda and drive research projects from end-to-end
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams across the company to define relevant research questions
  • Design and deploy appropriate research methodologies to answer those questions
  • Develop innovative new approaches to resolve challenging problems
  • Provide teams with usable measurement strategies and methodologies to make better decisions
  • Deliver insights and recommendations clearly to relevant audiences

Minimum Qualifications:
  • 2+ years of experience in quantitative research, data analysis, or a related field
  • Bachelor's, Master's or Ph.D. in the social sciences (e.g., Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Communication), or in a quantitative field (e.g., Statistics, Informatics, Econometrics)
  • Demonstrated experience in designing original research to address complex questions
  • Demonstrated expertise in data manipulation and analysis software and programming languages (Python/R, SQL)
  • Expertise and applied experience in measurement (e.g., survey design and analysis, experiment design, bias correction, measurement models, data collection, log data) and statistical inference (e.g., causal, Bayesian, machine learning)
  • Experience initiating and driving research projects to completion with minimal guidance
  • Experience communicating analyses and results to broad audiences
  • Demonstrated ability to distill and communicate research insights to influence others' thinking, decision-making, and actions

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
  • Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
  • Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
  • Familiarity with qualitative research (e.g., focus groups, interviews, cognitive testing)

About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$147,000/year to $208,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

What Meta employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom