ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Research Psychologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Umd

Experimental Psychologist

College Park, MD · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

The Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security (ARLIS) at the University of Maryland ... The Experimental Psychologist supports ARLIS' expanding research portfolio in intelligent human ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsHealthcare JobsMedical Specialists JobsResearch Psychologist Jobs

Research Psychologist information

See salary details

$40K

$99.6K

$133K

How much do research psychologist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for research psychologist in the United States is $99,577.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,500.00 and $122,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research psychologist?

A research psychologist is a professional who studies human behavior and mental processes through scientific methods. They design and conduct experiments, analyze data, and publish findings to advance our understanding of how people think, feel, and act. Research psychologists may specialize in areas such as cognitive, social, developmental, or clinical psychology. Their work often contributes to the development of new theories, therapies, and policies that impact education, healthcare, and society. They typically work in academic, government, or private research settings.

What is a research psychologist?

A research psychologist performs studies and research at an academic institution, business, or on a freelance basis. The duties of a research psychologist include coming up with hypotheses to test, developing research plans, creating experiments to test their ideas, analyzing the data derived from their experiments, and writing reports and papers explaining the results. They may travel to conferences to present findings. A research psychologist must also be able to write grants or seek funding from outside sources, such as foundations, research institutions, or government agencies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research psychologist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research Psychologist, you need a strong background in psychological theory, research methods, and statistical analysis, typically supported by an advanced degree such as a Ph.D. or Psy.D. Proficiency with statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R), data collection systems, and research ethics certifications is essential. Critical thinking, curiosity, and excellent written and verbal communication skills help set top performers apart. These competencies are vital for designing rigorous studies, interpreting complex data, and effectively sharing findings to advance knowledge in the field.

What are some common challenges research psychologists face when conducting studies, and how can they be addressed?

Research Psychologists often encounter challenges such as recruiting a representative sample, ensuring ethical compliance, and controlling for confounding variables. Addressing these issues typically involves collaborating closely with institutional review boards, employing diverse recruitment strategies, and using rigorous research methodologies. Additionally, effective teamwork and clear communication with colleagues in data analysis, statistics, and subject matter expertise are crucial for overcoming obstacles and producing reliable, impactful research.

What is the difference between Research Psychologist vs Clinical Psychologist?

AspectResearch PsychologistClinical Psychologist
CredentialsDoctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology, research trainingDoctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology, clinical training, licensure
Work EnvironmentUniversities, research institutes, labsHospitals, clinics, private practice
Employer & IndustryAcademic institutions, government agencies, research organizationsHealthcare facilities, mental health clinics, private practices
Primary FocusConducting experiments, data analysis, advancing psychological theoriesDiagnosing and treating mental health disorders, providing therapy

Research Psychologists primarily focus on studying psychological phenomena through experiments and data analysis, often working in academic or research settings. Clinical Psychologists, on the other hand, diagnose and treat mental health issues in clinical environments. While both roles require advanced degrees in psychology, their work environments and primary responsibilities differ significantly.

Are there research jobs in psychology?

Research psychologists analyze human behavior and mental processes through scientific methods, often working in academic, government, or private research settings. These roles typically require strong analytical skills, knowledge of research design, and proficiency with statistical tools like SPSS or R. They may involve conducting experiments, data collection, and publishing findings to advance psychological knowledge.

Do you need a PhD to be a research psychologist?

Research psychologists typically need a doctoral degree, such as a PhD or PsyD, to conduct independent research and work in academic or clinical settings. A master's degree may qualify individuals for research assistant roles, but advanced positions usually require a PhD. Licensing or certification is not generally required for research-focused roles but may be necessary for clinical practice.

What do you do as a research psychologist?

A research psychologist studies human behavior and mental processes through scientific methods, designing experiments, collecting data, and analyzing results. They often work in academic, clinical, or organizational settings, using tools like statistical software and research protocols to advance understanding in psychology. Their work may involve publishing findings and contributing to evidence-based practices.
More about Research Psychologist jobs

What cities are hiring for Research Psychologist jobs?

Cities with the most Research Psychologist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Psychologist jobs?

The most popular types of Research Psychologist jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Research Psychologist jobs?

The top employers for Research Psychologist jobs are:

What states have the most Research Psychologist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Research Psychologist jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Research Psychologist jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Research Psychologist jobs are:

What are popular job titles related to Research Psychologist jobs?

For Research Psychologist jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Research Psychologist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Psychologist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,577 per year, or $47.9 per hour.

Research Psychologist (Health Services & Population Research)

Goldbelt Apex

Silver Spring, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Overview

Please note that this position is contingent upon the successful award of a contract currently under bid.

Goldbelt Apex, a part of the Healthcare Technology Transformation Group, is a data-focused company dedicated to process and quality in every aspect. As experts in healthcare IT experts, Apex is committed to building systems for healthcare organizations to seamlessly communicate and exchange data across different systems and devices. 

Summary:

Goldbelt Apex is seeking an experienced Research Psychologist (Health Services & Population Research) to support the Defense Health Agency's Psychological Health Center of Excellence (PHCoE). This position provides scientific expertise in health services research, population health, behavioral health research, and program evaluation to improve the delivery of psychological health services across the Military Health System.

The successful candidate will conduct research that evaluates healthcare utilization, access to care, treatment effectiveness, patient outcomes, and population-level behavioral health trends. This role works closely with Government stakeholders, clinicians, epidemiologists, statisticians, implementation scientists, and researchers to generate evidence that informs policy, improves healthcare delivery, and strengthens military readiness.

Responsibilities

Essential Job Functions:

  • Conduct health services and population health research supporting the Defense Health Agency Psychological Health Center of Excellence.
  • Design, execute, and evaluate behavioral health and psychological health research studies using quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
  • Analyze healthcare utilization, treatment effectiveness, patient outcomes, and behavioral health trends across military populations.
  • Support research initiatives focused on resilience, suicide prevention, traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep health, substance misuse, and other psychological health priorities.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop research protocols, evaluation plans, and study methodologies.
  • Analyze large datasets and interpret research findings to support strategic decision-making and policy development.
  • Prepare scientific manuscripts, technical reports, executive briefings, presentations, and research summaries.
  • Support survey development, data collection, and evaluation activities associated with behavioral health research programs.
  • Translate research findings into practical recommendations that improve healthcare delivery and psychological health programs.
  • Monitor emerging behavioral health research and identify opportunities to improve Military Health System programs and services.
  • Participate in technical working groups, scientific advisory panels, and stakeholder meetings.
  • Ensure all research activities comply with accepted scientific, ethical, and methodological standards.
  • Collaborate with Government personnel and partner organizations to support ongoing research initiatives and program evaluations.      
Qualifications

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

  • Extensive knowledge of health services research and behavioral health research methodologies.
  • Knowledge of population health, healthcare utilization, and program evaluation.
  • Experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research studies.
  • Knowledge of epidemiological research principles and healthcare outcomes research.
  • Experience analyzing complex healthcare and behavioral health datasets.
  • Strong scientific writing, technical communication, and presentation skills.
  • Ability to interpret research findings and develop actionable recommendations.
  • Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary scientific and healthcare teams.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in Psychology, Health Services Research, Public Health, Behavioral Science, or a closely related discipline.
  • Meet all education and experience requirements identified in the solicitation for the Research Psychologist labor category.
  • Demonstrated experience conducting health services research, population health research, or behavioral health research.
  • Experience evaluating healthcare delivery systems, patient outcomes, or healthcare utilization.
  • Experience designing and executing research studies using accepted scientific methodologies.
  • Experience preparing scientific manuscripts, technical reports, presentations, and executive briefings.
  • Experience collaborating with clinicians, researchers, statisticians, epidemiologists, and Government stakeholders.
  • Experience supporting healthcare organizations, federal agencies, academic institutions, or comparable research organizations.
  • U.S. Citizenship.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust background investigation and Common Access Card (CAC).
  • Occasional travel may be required in support of contract performance.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Preference may be given to candidates with experience supporting:
    • Defense Health Agency (DHA)
    • Psychological Health Center of Excellence (PHCoE)
    • Military Health System (MHS)
    • Department of Defense (DoD)
    • Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
    • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
    • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    • Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
  • Experience conducting health services research within military or federal healthcare systems.
  • Experience evaluating behavioral health programs and healthcare delivery models.
  • Experience with healthcare utilization analyses, outcomes research, and population health initiatives.
  • Experience supporting federally funded research programs.
  • Experience publishing peer-reviewed scientific research.
  • Experience with survey research, healthcare databases, and large population-based datasets.
  • Knowledge of implementation science and healthcare quality improvement methodologies.

Pay and Benefits

The annual salary range for this position is $155,000 to $175,000. This is a proposal-contingent position. The salary range provided represents the anticipated compensation for this role; however, final compensation will be based on the successful contract award and the selected candidate's qualifications and experience.

At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

Apply