1

Sleep Research Assistant Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Intern, Sleep Lab

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$17.55 - $23/hr

Support multiple human sleep research studies conducted within the Human Sleep Research Program. * Assist with participant-facing research visits, including overnight, evening, afternoon, and early ...

Support multiple human sleep research studies conducted within the Human Sleep Research Program. * Assist with participant-facing research visits, including overnight, evening, afternoon, and early ...

Intern, Sleep Lab

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$17.55 - $23/hr

Support multiple human sleep research studies conducted within the Human Sleep Research Program. * Assist with participant-facing research visits, including overnight, evening, afternoon, and early ...

Intern, Sleep Lab

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$17.55 - $23/hr

Support multiple human sleep research studies conducted within the Human Sleep Research Program. * Assist with participant-facing research visits, including overnight, evening, afternoon, and early ...

... research • Institutional culture that is highly receptive and friendly to patient care This ... Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor) commensurate with their experience. They will report ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Sleep Research Assistant information

See California salary details

$9

$24

$48

How much do sleep research assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for sleep research assistant in California is $24.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.01 and $27.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a sleep research assistant do?

A Sleep Research Assistant supports scientific studies focused on sleep and sleep disorders. They help set up and monitor sleep studies, collect and analyze data from participants, and maintain research equipment such as polysomnography machines. Additionally, they may assist with recruiting study participants, preparing reports, and ensuring that research protocols are followed. Their work is essential in advancing the understanding of sleep health and related treatments.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a sleep research assistant?

To thrive as a Sleep Research Assistant, you need a background in psychology, neuroscience, or a related field and experience with research methodologies and data collection. Familiarity with polysomnography equipment, actigraphy, and statistical software like SPSS or MATLAB is typically required. Attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively are vital soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure accurate data collection, reliable study results, and effective teamwork in advancing sleep science research.

What are common challenges faced by a sleep research assistant, and how can they be overcome?

Sleep Research Assistants often work non-traditional hours, including overnight shifts, to monitor study participants during sleep trials. Managing fatigue and maintaining attention to detail in these conditions can be challenging. To overcome these obstacles, it's important to establish good sleep hygiene, stay organized, and communicate effectively with team members. Additionally, being adaptable and comfortable with technology is essential, as you'll frequently handle specialized equipment and data collection tools.

What are the most commonly searched types of Sleep Research jobs in California?

The most popular types of Sleep Research jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Sleep Research Assistant jobs?

Cities in California with the most Sleep Research Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Sleep Research Assistant job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,459 per year, or $24.3 per hour.

Bioscience Research Associate, Sleep Lab Part-Time

SRI International

Menlo Park, CA

$26.72 - $33.81/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

The Human Sleep Research Program within SRI’s Center for Health Sciences conducts multidisciplinary research to better understand sleep and its relationship with health and behavior. Our work spans a variety of research areas, including wearable technologies for measuring sleep and physiology, sleep deprivation, women’s health, neuropsychology, and neuroimaging.


The Lab is seeking a part time Research Associate (RA) to joing their time.  This position offers the opportunity to contribute to multiple human research studies and gain hands-on exposure to a wide range of research methods and technologies. Our studies collect rich, multimodal data including overnight EEG recordings, wearable-derived biosignals such as physical activity and heart rate, cognitive and neuropsychological assessments, clinical and self-report measures, and multimodal MRI.


The RA will work alongside an interdisciplinary research team and gain practical experience across different stages of clinical and translational research in human participants. The position is particularly well suited for someone interested in gaining broad research experience while contributing to studies with applications to human health, sleep, and emerging health technologies. Timing of participant-facing activities varies based on study, but includes the possibility of up to two overnight shifts per week, afternoon-evening shifts, as well as the possibility of weekend work.  The position will be expected to work 15-20 hours per week onsite at our Menlo Park, CA office.


  • Support multiple human sleep research studies conducted within the Human Sleep Research Program and Center for Health Sciences.
  • Assist with participant-facing research visits, which occur on variable shifts, mainly including overnight, evening, and afternoon study procedures.
  • Ability to remain awake, alert, and attentive throughout overnight research shifts.
  • Assist with meticulous collection of physiological and behavioral research data across a variety of projects, including overnight EEG/sleep recordings, wearable device data, cognitive and neuropsychological assessments, and self-report and clinical measures.
  • Support collection of multimodal MRI data and other study-specific procedures as needed.
  • Assist with research data entry, organization, quality control, and preparation for analysis.
  • Follow study protocols and research procedures to ensure accurate, consistent, and high-quality data collection.
  • Work collaboratively with research staff across multiple projects and assist with other research activities as needed.

  • Bachelors in psychology, neuroscience, biology, cognitive science, or a related field.  New grads encouraged to apply!
  • Candidates must be a US Citizen
  • Interest in sleep research a plus
  • Detail-oriented and good organizational skills are highly desired

The salary range is: $26.72-$33.81/hr. Salary ranges will vary and are based on several factors, including geographic location, market competitiveness and equity amongst internal employees in similar roles. Positions may also qualify for SRI's Pay for Outstanding Performance program or the annual Performance Based Compensation program. SRI also has a competitive benefits package, to view details please go to https://www.sri.com/resources/benefits/. SRI will accept applications until the position is filled.

SRI is an independent nonprofit research institute headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., with a rich history of supporting government and industry. We create and deliver world-changing solutions for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future. For almost 80 years, we have collaborated across technical and scientific disciplines to discover and develop groundbreaking products and technologies and bring innovations and ideas to the marketplace.