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 JobsResearch Psychologist Jobs

Research Psychologist information

See salary details

$40K

$99.6K

$133K

How much do research psychologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 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.

Do you need a PhD to be a research psychologist?

A research psychologist typically needs a doctoral degree, such as a PhD or PsyD, to conduct independent research and work in academic or clinical settings. While some research roles may accept a master's degree, advanced positions usually require a PhD. Additional skills in statistical analysis and research methods are also important.

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.

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 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, healthcare, or organizational settings, using statistical tools and research protocols to advance understanding in psychology. Their work may involve publishing findings and collaborating with other professionals to apply insights to real-world issues.

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 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.
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, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,577 per year, or $47.9 per hour.

Research Psychologist (Evidence Synthesis)

LAUKOA

Silver Spring, MD

$140K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Mahalo for your interest in this role! Please see the full position description below and click Start Your Application when ready.

LAUKOA is seeking a Research Psychologist (Evidence Synthesis) to support the Defense Health Agency's Psychological Health Center of Excellence (PHCoE) located in Silver Spring, MD. 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. It collaborates across the DoD, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other agencies to develop clinical practice guidelines for psychological health conditions, substance use disorders, and suicide risk. PHCoE also produces evidence-based resources, clinical support tools, and expert-reviewed briefs to enhance patient care, operational readiness, and human performance in military settings.

Essential Job Functions:

  • Examines, diagnoses, treats, and follows outpatients with psychological problems of all complexities.
  • Provides continuing follow-up for chronic outpatients with acute disorders and complications of these disorders.
  • Provides staff expertise in psychology that is pertinent in a wide variety of circumstances, to include management of patients with psychological disorders.
  • Examines and conducts thorough studies of presenting patients; evaluates laboratory and clinical findings, prescribing appropriate treatment or referring patient to appropriate specialty clinics.
  • Collaborates with physicians in other medical specialties on cases involving complicated and multi-faceted problems.
  • Follows through on all cases to insure effective comprehensive psychological services required.
  • Provides psychological support to special areas.
  • May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for role.

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

  • Capability to provide senior-level expert recommendations on psychological health topic areas (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Depression, Suicide).
  • Capability to design and conduct research investigations applying evidence synthesis techniques using existing published research (e.g., systematic reviews).
  • Capability to analyze and interpret research results.
  • Capability to produce technical artifacts (e.g., reports, tools, briefings, presentations, and manuscripts) consistent with the KSAs described here and with the broader PHCoE mission set.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • At least 13 years of full-time post-doctoral work experience directly related to the planning and execution of research in the field of psychological health.
  • At least 5 years of full-time post-doctoral experience supporting psychological health research studies applying evidence synthesis and meta-analytic techniques to already-published research.
  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • 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.

Salary Range: $140,000 - $160,000

*This Position is Contingent Upon Award.

LAUKOA is an Equal Opportunity/VEVRAA federal contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

LAUKOA offers a best-in-class benefits program including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a 401(k) program with employer match; paid vacation and sick leave; employer-paid basic life and AD&D insurance; an Employee Assistance Program; and a flexible work environment. Additionally, employees can choose from several voluntary benefits including critical illness coverage; accident insurance; identity theft coverage; pet insurance, and more.

LAUKOA gives preference to internal candidates. If no internal candidate meets our qualifications, external candidates will be given consideration.

Apply