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Health Psychology Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$73K - $76K/yr

... research methods, statistics, measurement), biopsychology, neuropsychology, and/or health psychology. Candidates can explore the courses offered in our degree programs at this link. The individual ...

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Health Psychology Research information

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$80K

$99.8K

$135.5K

How much do health psychology research jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for health psychology research in the United States is $99,840.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,000.00 and $115,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is health psychology research?

Health psychology research is the scientific study of how psychological, behavioral, and social factors influence health, illness, and healthcare. Researchers in this field examine how factors like stress, beliefs, emotions, and lifestyle choices affect physical health and the management of diseases. Their work often leads to the development of interventions to promote healthy behaviors and improve patient outcomes. Health psychology research plays a vital role in public health, healthcare policy, and the design of effective treatments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in health psychology research?

To excel in Health Psychology Research, you need a solid background in psychology or related fields, strong research methodology skills, and often an advanced degree such as a master's or PhD. Familiarity with statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R), research databases, and ethical guidelines is typically required. Critical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are standout soft skills for designing studies and sharing findings. These abilities are crucial for producing impactful research that advances understanding of health behaviors and informs interventions.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in health psychology research?

Professionals in health psychology research often encounter challenges such as recruiting and retaining diverse participant samples, managing complex ethical considerations, and ensuring the accuracy of data collection. Additionally, balancing interdisciplinary collaboration with medical professionals, statisticians, and community partners can require strong communication skills. Adapting to evolving research methodologies and securing funding for projects are also frequent hurdles that researchers need to navigate as part of their role.

What is the difference between Health Psychology Research vs Clinical Health Psychologist?

AspectHealth Psychology ResearchClinical Health Psychologist
CredentialsMaster's or PhD in Psychology, research experienceDoctorate in Psychology (PhD or PsyD), licensure
Work EnvironmentUniversities, research institutes, labsHospitals, clinics, private practice
Primary FocusConducting studies, analyzing health behaviorsDiagnosing and treating health-related psychological issues
Employer & IndustryAcademic, research organizationsHealthcare facilities, private practices

Health Psychology Research focuses on studying health behaviors and conducting scientific research, while Clinical Health Psychologists provide direct patient care and therapy. Both roles require psychology credentials but differ in their work setting and primary activities.

What do health psychology researchers research?

Health psychology researchers study how psychological, behavioral, and social factors influence health, illness, and healthcare outcomes. They often investigate topics such as stress, coping strategies, health behaviors, and the psychological impact of chronic diseases, using methods like surveys and experiments to inform interventions and improve patient care.

What jobs can I get with a PhD in health psychology?

A PhD in health psychology qualifies individuals for roles such as health psychologist, research scientist, or university professor, often involving clinical practice, research, or teaching. These positions typically require strong analytical skills, knowledge of behavioral theories, and experience with data analysis tools like SPSS or R.
More about Health Psychology Research jobs

What cities are hiring for Health Psychology Research jobs?

Cities with the most Health Psychology Research job openings:

What states have the most Health Psychology Research jobs?

States with the most job openings for Health Psychology Research jobs include:

Infographic showing various Health Psychology Research job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 62% Full Time, and 38% Part Time. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,840 per year, or $48 per hour.

Assistant Professor, Health Psychology

University of California - Irvine

Irvine, CA • On-site

$80K - $104K/yr

Other

Posted 5 days ago


University Of California Irvine rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 41 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

55th of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Position overview
Salary range: The salary range for this position is $80,800- $104,700 . The posted UC salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. See Professor and Professor of Teaching Series - Academic Year Regular Scales. "Off-scale salaries" and other components of pay, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.
Application Window

Open date: August 11, 2026

Next review date: Sunday, Nov 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Thursday, Dec 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Department of Psychology at the University of California, Irvine invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in health psychology with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027 (teaching duties will begin Fall 2027).

We seek a scholar with strong training in health psychology and closely related areas whose research examines the psychological, social, behavioral, cognitive, and/or biological processes that shape physical health and well-being. We are particularly interested in candidates studying stress, resilience, and health; social and emotional influences on health; psychophysiological or biopsychosocial pathways; health behavior and behavior change; psychological contributors to health disparities; and/or interventions designed to improve health and well-being. Research may address these questions at any point or across multiple periods of the lifespan.

The successful candidate will have a theoretically grounded and methodologically rigorous research program that contributes to the core discipline of health psychology. We welcome a range of methodological approaches, including laboratory experiments, longitudinal and intensive repeated-measures designs, psychophysiological and other biological assessments, ambulatory and digital measurement, intervention research, and population-based approaches. We are especially interested in candidates whose work integrates multiple levels of analysis and complements the department's social ecological approach to understanding health and human behavior.

Although candidates may draw upon social, clinical, developmental, affective, or neuroscience perspectives, the position is intended to strengthen the department's core research and teaching capacity in health psychology. The successful candidate will be expected to teach foundational undergraduate and graduate courses in health psychology, contribute additional courses in their area of expertise, mentor students, and maintain an active program of research with strong potential for external funding.

The Department of Psychology values collaborative and interdisciplinary scholarship. Faculty have opportunities to collaborate across the School of Social Ecology and with researchers throughout UC Irvine, including those in public health, medicine, nursing, biological sciences, and related fields and centers (e.g., the Center for Biomarker & Biobehavioral Research). The department is especially interested in scholars whose research will contribute to its strengths in understanding how psychological processes and social contexts influence physical and psychological health.

To ensure full consideration, applications should be completed by November 1, 2026. Applications received by that date will receive priority; however, applications may be accepted until the position is filled.

Applications must be submitted electronically through the UC Irvine Recruit System

Candidates should submit:

  • A cover letter describing their interest in the position
  • A curriculum vitae
  • A statement of research
  • A statement of teaching
  • Three representative publications or other scholarly works
  • Names and contact information for three professional references

Please direct questions about the position to Professor Sarah Pressman, chair of the search committee, at pressman@uci.edu .

Visit the Department of Psychology website
Visit the School of Social Ecology website

Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in psychology by the time of appointment. Candidates who have not yet completed the doctoral degree at the time of application must provide evidence that the degree will be completed before the position's anticipated start date.

Application Requirements
Document requirements
  • Cover Letter

  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Statement of Research

  • Reflective Teaching Statement - See our guidance for writing a reflective teaching statement.

  • Three representative publications or other scholarly works

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)

Applicants must provide the names and contact information for three professional references. Letters of recommendation will be requested only for candidates who advance to the later stages of review. References for selected candidates should be prepared to submit letters promptly upon request.

Apply link: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF10335
About UC Irvine

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC anti-discrimination policy.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

  • "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location
Irvine, CA

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