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Cognitive Science Jobs in New York (NOW HIRING)

Postdoctoral Fellow-MSH

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$53K - $73K/yr

Candidates must be highly motivated to develop expertise in applying cognitive science and neuroimaging methods to problems in neuropsychiatric research. The candidate will have the opportunity to ...

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Experiential Designer

New York, NY · On-site

$195 - $200/hr

Scientific Grounding : Background in cognitive science, behavioral science, or environmental psychology. * Event Scoping : Experience designing high-profile technology conferences, keynotes ...

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Cognitive Science information

See New York salary details

$25.7K

$62.8K

$83.7K

How much do cognitive science jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for cognitive science in New York is $62,812.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,500.00 and $67,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cognitive science job?

A Cognitive Science job involves applying knowledge from psychology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, philosophy, and linguistics to understand how humans and machines think, learn, and process information. Professionals in this field work in diverse industries, including technology, healthcare, research, and user experience design. Common roles include data scientist, UX researcher, AI specialist, and cognitive psychologist. These jobs often require analytical thinking, programming skills, and expertise in human behavior or machine learning.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a cognitive science position?

To thrive in a Cognitive Science role, you need a solid grounding in psychology, neuroscience, computer science, linguistics, and data analysis, usually supported by at least a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field. Familiarity with statistical analysis software (such as SPSS or R), programming languages (like Python or MATLAB), and research tools is highly advantageous. Outstanding collaboration, critical thinking, and clear communication skills set top candidates apart in multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualifications enable professionals to analyze complex cognitive processes and contribute innovative solutions to real-world human-computer interaction, AI, or behavioral research challenges.

What are the typical career progression opportunities for someone in a cognitive science role?

Professionals in cognitive science often start in research assistant, data analyst, or user experience roles and can progress to positions such as lead researcher, UX researcher, cognitive engineer, or even project manager depending on their interests and expertise. With experience and additional qualifications, some transition into roles in artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, neurotechnology, or higher education as professors or principal investigators. Opportunities for advancement are often influenced by your ability to publish research, collaborate across disciplines, and acquire advanced degrees or certifications. Many cognitive science professionals also find pathways into related industries including technology, healthcare, and education, allowing for diverse and rewarding career trajectories.

Is cognitive science a useful degree?

A degree in cognitive science provides a strong foundation in understanding human cognition, perception, and decision-making, which are valuable in fields like artificial intelligence, user experience, and research. Graduates often find employment in tech, healthcare, education, and research institutions, and the interdisciplinary skills gained can enhance problem-solving and analytical abilities.

Is cognitive science in demand?

Cognitive science is a growing interdisciplinary field with increasing demand in areas such as artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and data analysis. Professionals with skills in research, programming, and understanding of cognitive processes are sought after in academia, tech companies, and healthcare sectors.

What does a cognitive scientist do?

A cognitive scientist studies how the mind processes information, including perception, memory, language, and decision-making. They often conduct experiments, analyze data, and develop models using tools like computer simulations and statistical software to understand human and animal cognition.

What jobs do cognitive science majors get?

Cognitive science majors often pursue careers as user experience designers, cognitive researchers, data analysts, human factors specialists, and artificial intelligence developers. These roles typically require skills in research, programming, and understanding human behavior, and may involve working in technology, healthcare, or academia.

What are the most commonly searched types of Cognitive Science jobs in New York?

The most popular types of Cognitive Science jobs in New York are:

What cities in New York are hiring for Cognitive Science jobs?

Cities in New York with the most Cognitive Science job openings:

Infographic showing various Cognitive Science job openings in New York as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $62,812 per year, or $30.2 per hour.

Senior Scientist II, Cognitive Science, Evaluation Intelligence, L'Oréal Research & Innovation

L'Oreal

Clark, NJ • On-site

$100K - $128K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


L'Oreal rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 78 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

3rd of 24 rated health and beauty retailers


Job description

Senior Scientist II, Cognitive Science, Evaluation Intelligence
Location: Clark, NJ (Hybrid)
Division: Research & Innovation (R&I)
Hello, we're L'Oréal, we're not just building brands; we're shaping how the world experiences beauty (and it takes a lot of cool jobs to do it). Intrigued? Keep reading, this might be the opportunity you've been searching for.
Who We Are
Join us at L'Oréal, the world's #1 beauty company present in over 150 markets. For over a century, we have been transforming; fueled by data, tech, innovation, and science. Together, we tackle big challenges while making sure we stay committed to making the world a more inclusive and a better place for everyone & our planet.
At L'Oréal Research & Innovation we are pushing the boundaries of Science & Tech. We invest heavily in cutting-edge research, leveraging advanced technologies to understand skin, hair, and microbiome, while discovering new active ingredients and launching outperforming formulas. Our 3,500 L'Oréal R&I experts leverage Science & Technology to invent safe, trustable, sustainable & responsible beauty products and experiences that will change people's lives.
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly operational, hands-on, and data-driven Senior Scientist II - Cognitive Science within our Evaluation Intelligence department. In this role, your primary focus will be the flawless execution of our cognitive study pipeline and the advanced statistical integration of diverse sensory and behavioral datasets to deliver a single, coherent picture of consumer perception.
You will not just theorize - you will build, run, and optimize the operational workflows for cognitive, implicit, explicit, and explicit behavioral studies to deeply understand consumer cognition, perception, and emotional responses to cosmetic formulations, packaging, and digital beauty experiences. Crucially, you will act as the bridge between cognitive neuroscience, sensory science, and data science. You will leverage data fusion and multivariate modeling to connect objective sensory descriptions (sensory panel and expert data) with subjective consumer emotions, cognitive states, and product liking.
This role requires strong project management, proficiency in scientific programming (Python/R), experience in multi-modal data integration, and a clear understanding of how to translate complex data models into global product claims.
Key Responsibilities
1. End-to-End Study Execution & Data Analysis (70%)
  • Methodological & Analytical Leadership: Design and execute robust, ethically sound, and scientifically rigorous behavioral and cognitive protocols while leading the data integration strategy across multiple sensory modalities (fragrance, color, texture).
  • Multi-Modal Data Fusion: Merge and analyze heterogeneous datasets including neuro-physiological (EEG, ECG, GSR, eye-tracking),implicit, explicit quantitative surveys, qualitative consumer verbatims, and objective sensory profiling.
  • Hands-on Study Operations & Pipeline Automation: Program experimental tasks and configure data collection pipelines using behavioral software platforms. Set up, calibrate, and troubleshoot eye-tracking and biometric hardware. Develop reusable, clean data processing pipelines to automate the cleaning, pre-processing, and modeling of raw test data.
  • Insight Synthesis & Visualization: Convert highly complex multi-dimensional data into clear, compelling narratives and statistical mappings. Deliver strategic, actionable recommendations to formulation chemists and brand teams.

2. Cognitive Claims Substantiation & Scientific Evidence (15%)
  • Claims Strategy Support: Translate cognitive and sensory findings into robust, consumer-facing product claims in close collaboration with R&I, Legal, and Regulatory teams.

  • Protocol Design: Design experimental studies with appropriate statistical power, control groups, and objective metrics necessary to meet strict requirements for claims substantiation.
  • Data Synthesis for Substantiation Dossiers: Compile scientific evidence packages, methodology write-ups, and statistical outputs to build robust claims substantiation dossiers.
  • Vendor & CRO Coordination: Manage external testing agencies and CROs to ensure outsourced studies are executed according to strict scientific protocols, budget constraints, and delivery timelines.

3. Technology Implementation & Process Optimization (15%)
  • Pilot New Technologies: Direct the operational testing, validation, and benchmarking of new biometric and digital sensors to assess their readiness for claims support and routine testing.
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Write and maintain clear, step-by-step SOPs for all cognitive testing methods to ensure study repeatability, auditability, and consistency.
  • Regulatory & Data Compliance: Ensure all cognitive evaluations conform to data privacy regulations (such as GDPR/US regulations regarding biometric data) and L'Oréal's internal data-sharing guidelines.

Qualifications and Experience
Education:
  • Ph.D. in Cognitive Science, Cognitive Psychology, Sensory Science, Computational Neuroscience, Data Science, or a related quantitative field with 3+ years of direct industry/applied research experience; or a Master's degree with 5+ years of equivalent experience.

Technical & Data Science Skills:
  • Neurophysiological Testing: Hands-on experience in conducting human-subject studies using neurophysiological measurements (EEG/ECG/GSR, eye-tracking, or facial coding).
  • Programming Proficiency: Strong proficiency in Python or R for data cleaning, statistical modeling, and data visualization (libraries such as pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, ggplot2, etc.).
  • Data Integration & Fusion: Demonstrated experience integrating heterogeneous datasets (e.g., combining time-series physiological data with discrete sensory panel scores or text/survey data).
  • Statistical Mastery: Expert knowledge of multivariate analysis, predictive modeling (e.g., Random Forests, regression), clustering techniques (for product classification), and Dimensionality Reduction (PCA, MCA, MDS).
  • Hardware Troubleshooting: Demonstrated ability to set up, calibrate, and troubleshoot technical hardware and biosensors under pressure in a live testing environment.

Soft Skills:
  • Operational Drive: Outstanding organizational skills, with a demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple testing schedules and deliver reliable, compliant data on tight product development timelines.
  • Strategic Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication (written/oral) skills, with a proven ability to translate complex statistical models and cognitive data into clear business insights for non-scientific stakeholders (e.g., marketing, brand managers, business leaders).

  • Collaborative Mindset: Curious, open-minded, and a dedicated team player who thrives in a highly cross-functional environment.
  • Versatility: Proven ability to work efficiently both as an autonomous individual contributor and as an active collaborator within global project teams.

What's In It For You
  • A place for you to leave your comfort zone and grow beyond your potential (here, you'll be encouraged to try new things and take risks!)
  • Real responsibility from day 1, there's no sitting on the sidelines at L'Oréal
  • An environment where people of every ethnicity, social background, age, religion, gender and sexual orientation as well as people with disabilities are accepted, can speak up, will thrive and are celebrated!
  • A place where you can contribute to something bigger! Many of our brands have societal/environmental causes to make concrete difference
  • Base Salary Range: $90,200 - $128,500 (The actual compensation will depend on a variety of job-related factors which may include geographic location, work experience, education, and skill level)
  • Competitive Benefits Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Pension Plan)
  • Hybrid Work Policy (Up to 2 days per week work from home for eligible roles, subject to manager approval)
  • Flexible Time Off (Paid Company Holidays, Paid Vacation, Vacation Buy Program, Volunteer Time, Summer Fridays & More!)
  • Access to Company Perks (VIP Access to L'Oréal's Internal Shop for Discounted Products, Monthly Mobile Allowance)
  • Learning and Development Opportunities (Unlimited Access to E-learnings, Lunch & Learn Sessions, Mentorship Programs, & More!)
  • Employee Resource Groups (Think Tanks and Innovation Squads)
  • Access to Mental Health & Wellness Programs

Don't meet every single requirement? At L'Oréal, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and innovative workplace. If you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with the qualifications listed in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways! You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles!
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse environment. We're committed to guaranteeing inclusive recruitment processes and advocating for hiring and promoting each candidate in an ethical and equitable way. The Group strictly prohibits discrimination against any applicant for employment because of the individual's gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, visible and/or invisible disabilities, socio-economic and/or multicultural origins, health conditions, age, religion, or any other characteristics protected by law.

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About L'Oreal

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

L'Oreal, based in New York, NY, US, is a globally recognized leader in the beauty and cosmetics industry. Founded in 1909 by French chemist, Eugène Schueller, L'Oreal started off as a hair dye company and has since significantly expanded its product lines and geographical reach. Today, L'Oreal offers a diverse array of products ranging from skincare, cosmetics, hair care, and perfumes. Operating in over 130 countries, L'Oreal's mission is to provide anyone, anywhere with beauty products that meet the infinite diversity of their beauty needs and desires. It is committed to sustainable business practices and continually innovates to reduce its environmental impact, contributions which were recognized when it was named one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" by Ethisphere Institute in 2020.

Industry

Consumer goods and commercial equipment rental services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US

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