... psychological and biological approaches that provide insight on health and illness over the life ... comparative effectiveness research, and health communication. The faculty member should have ...
... psychological and biological approaches that provide insight on health and illness over the life ... comparative effectiveness research, and health communication. The faculty member should have ...
Comparative Psychologist information
See Virginia salary details
$10.9K - $45.8K
7% of jobs
$63.6K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$45.8K - $80.8K
35% of jobs
The median wage is $88.9K / yr.
$80.8K - $115.7K
33% of jobs
$115.7K - $150.6K
19% of jobs
$150.6K - $185.5K
4% of jobs
$185.5K - $220.5K
2% of jobs
$220.5K - $255.4K
0% of jobs
$255.4K - $290.3K
0% of jobs
$290.3K - $325.2K
0% of jobs
$325.2K - $360.2K
0% of jobs
$360.2K - $395.1K
0% of jobs
$10.9K
$92K
$395.1K
How much do comparative psychologist jobs pay per year?
As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for comparative psychologist in Virginia is $92,017.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,900.00 and $116,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What is a comparative psychologist?
A Comparative Psychologist studies the behavior and cognitive processes of different animal species, including humans, to understand evolution, learning, and adaptation. They conduct experiments, observe behavior, and analyze data to identify similarities and differences across species. Their work helps in areas such as animal welfare, conservation, and neuroscience. Comparative Psychologists may work in research institutions, universities, zoos, or government agencies.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a comparative psychologist?
To thrive as a Comparative Psychologist, you need strong research and analytical skills, a background in biology or psychology, and typically a graduate degree (PhD or Master's) in psychology or a related field. Experience with statistical software, behavioral assessment tools, and scientific writing are common technical requirements. Excellent observational skills, curiosity, and clear communication enhance one’s ability to collaborate and convey complex findings. These skills are essential for designing rigorous studies, interpreting animal behavior, and advancing scientific understanding in comparative psychology.
What are some common work environments or settings for comparative psychologists?
Comparative Psychologists often work in academic or research institutions, such as universities, where they may teach, mentor students, and conduct experiments in laboratory settings. Others are employed by zoos, animal research facilities, or government agencies, focusing on animal behavior, welfare, or cognition. Collaboration with veterinarians, biologists, and other psychologists is typical, providing a dynamic and interdisciplinary work environment. Depending on the focus, the role may involve fieldwork, direct animal observation, data analysis, and presenting findings at conferences or in publications.
What are popular job titles related to Comparative Psychologist jobs in Virginia?
For Comparative Psychologist jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Comparative Psychologist jobs in Virginia look for?
The top searched job categories for Comparative Psychologist jobs in Virginia are:
Full-time
Re-posted 9 days ago
Job description
Clinical Investigator - Family Medicine (F75880)
Department of Family Medicine - VCU Health - Richmond, VA
Duties & Responsibilities:
Mission or Goal of Unit
Founded in 1970, the Department of Family Medicine at VCU has a long and proud history of research and scholarship focused on the practice of family medicine and family medicine education. It was the birthplace of the North American Primary Care Research Group (https://www.napcrg.org/) and the academic home for its founder, Dr. Maurice Wood.
Our Family Medicine Research team has a multi-disciplinary approach to research, coming from such fields as family medicine, health services, biostatistics and epidemiology, cultural anthropology, social and behavioral science, and public health. The teams research focuses on improving quality in primary care settings, with a special focus on helping patients improve health behaviors, harnessing information technology, and improving systems of care.
Our research faculty conduct innovative, multi-disciplinary research aimed at understanding the interface between behavior and physiology, and integrates social, psychological and biological approaches that provide insight on health and illness over the life course. The department hosts research programs in the dynamics of aging, cancer prevention and control, and emphasizing behavioral and mental health.
This department is also home to the Virginia Ambulatory Care Outcomes Research Network (ACORN), our well-respected practice-based research network composed of more than 90 practices throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Chief Purpose of this position
We seek an Open Rank, tenure-eligible faculty investigator with responsibility for the design, development, execution, and dissemination of research on primary care and social determinants of health through externally funded competitive research grants and contracts. Areas of particular interest health promotion and disease prevention, health disparities, chronic conditions, practice transformation, health information systems, comparative effectiveness research, and health communication. The faculty member should have interdisciplinary research interests that complement and expand existing faculty expertise.
Research
The faculty member will join a nationally recognized research program with a record of publication in refereed journals and external funding. The individual is expected to develop interdisciplinary collaborations, across campus and with other academic institutions and PBRNs, to enhance the research program in family medicine.
Service
The faculty member will serve on departmental, College, and/or University committees as necessary, as well as in a professional capacity in their field, e.g., reviewer, conference organizer, etc.
Clinical activities
The faculty member will also have 50% ambulatory Primary Care clinical duties.
Required Qualifications
- Medical degree and board certification in Family Medicine
- Experience with health services and public health research projects
- A well-developed scholarly/research portfolio with evidence of multi-disciplinary applications and
external funding appropriate to complement and expand existing expertise in the department(s) - A publication record suitable for entry rank
- Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU
Preferred Qualifications
- Additional training or experience in public health, preventive medicine, or epidemiology, including masters (e.g., MPH) or doctoral level (DrPh) training
- Experience with community-based participatory research (CBPR) or community/stakeholder engagement
- Knowledge of social epidemiology and socio-ecological influences on health
- Excellent writing skills, preferably demonstrated in writing samples from prior grants or publications
- Experience working on an interdisciplinary research team. Preference will be given to candidates who can effectively engage with our current faculty in several research projects that are funded and underway; as well as those who can quickly understand and grasp the unique challenges of working with a Practiced Based Research Network (PBRN)
#LI-KB1