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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 ...

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$99.6K

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How much do research psychologist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 4, 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 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 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.
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Research Psychologist jobs near you
Research Psychologist I (Psychophysiology Collaborator)

Research Psychologist I (Psychophysiology Collaborator)

Northern California Institute for Research and Education

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$47.54 - $73.71/hr

Part-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

Position Definition:
The Stress, Trauma, and Resilience Program (STaR Lab) at the San Francisco VA Health Care System is seeking a Research Psychologist to serve as a scientific collaborator across studies on PTSD/trauma, sleep/insomnia, fear learning and extinction, and TBI. This role is methods- and team-science-focused, supporting both in-lab and remote psychophysiology and translating multimodal data into publishable findings and competitive grants. This position is part-time, intermittent.
Essential Functions:
  • Collaborate on study design: refine aims, endpoints, and mechanistic models; co-develop experimental paradigms (e.g., fear conditioning/extinction).
  • Lead psychophysiology operations: develop SOPs; train staff/trainees; oversee quality control for acquisition and scoring.
  • Guide analysis strategy: build/oversee preprocessing and feature extraction pipelines; integrate physiology with clinical and sleep outcomes; partner with statisticians/data scientists as needed.
  • Scholarly output: co-lead manuscripts, abstracts, and conference presentations; write clear, reproducible methods.
  • Grant support: contribute to mechanistic aims and measurement/analysis sections for pilot and multi-site proposals.
  • Mentorship & team science: participate in lab meetings; mentor trainees in psychophysiology methods and scientific writing.
  • Measurement/Methods (examples): EDA, ECG/HR/HRV, EMG, respiration/startle, facial coding; remote PPG/wearables; integration with actigraphy/PSG (as applicable) and symptom/behavioral outcomes.
  • Effort: Primarily research collaboration and scientific output; limited clinical activity only if relevant to funding/service needs.

Job Requirements:
  • PhD/PsyD in clinical psychology or closely related field.
  • Demonstrated research productivity and strong quantitative/writing skills.
  • Experience in psychophysiology and/or mechanistic clinical/translational research (PTSD/trauma, sleep, fear learning, TBI).

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Clinical trials experience; R/Python/MATLAB; remote physiology workflow experience; Veteran/trauma-exposed populations.

Working Conditions/Environment:
The work environment for this position will include an indoor office and a medical research environment. It may include some minor annoyances such as noise, temperature variations, etc. The incumbent may sustain posture in standing or seated position and may utilize a computer terminal for prolonged periods of time.
VA Onboarding Requirements:
NCIRE is an affiliate organization of the San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS), which requires all candidates to complete SFVA onboarding in addition to NCIRE's onboarding process. The SFVA is a federal agency that requires a federal background check, occupational health clearance, vaccines and immunizations, and drug testing for certain positions. Drug testing may include screening for marijuana which remains an illegal substance according to federal law. The failure to pass required drug testing will disqualify candidates from employment.
The base wage range for this position is $47.54-$73.71 per hour. The wage actually offered to a successful candidate will take into account various relevant and non-discriminatory business factors including, without limitation, the candidate's geographic location, job-related experience, knowledge, and skills, and education, as well as internal equity considerations. A successful candidate may also be eligible to earn additional compensation including bonuses.
NCIRE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position requires access to United States Government research under the Veterans Administration. Per Veterans Administration regulations surrounding access to US research, qualified US Citizens will be selected over other individuals eligible to work in the United States. If you are eligible to work in the United States, you may still be considered for this position but only if no qualified US citizens apply.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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