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Sports Psychology Postdoctoral Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Therapy Trainee

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$24.07 - $39.94/hr

2026 - 2027 Clinical Sport Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Position The University of Southern California Counseling & Mental Health and USC Athletics is pleased to announce a Postdoctoral ...

Sports Psychologist

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$46.14 - $69.22/hr

The Sports Psychologist assesses, monitors and provides treatment for the psychosocial needs of ... Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pediatric Clinical or Rehabilitation Psychology * 2 years of Clinical ...

Sports Psychologist

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$46.14 - $69.22/hr

The Sports Psychologist assesses, monitors and provides treatment for the psychosocial needs of ... Postdoctoral Fellowship in Pediatric Clinical or Rehabilitation Psychology * 2 years of Clinical ...

Doctoral degree in clinical psychology * Postdoctoral fellowship in neuropsychology * Licensed or ... Major league sports teams: Reds Baseball, Bengals Football, and FC Cincinnati Soccer * Walking/bike ...

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Sports Psychology Postdoctoral information

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$25K

$59K

$83.5K

How much do sports psychology postdoctoral jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for sports psychology postdoctoral in the United States is $59,022.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $66,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a sports psychology postdoctoral?

A sports psychology postdoctoral position is a temporary, advanced research or clinical training role for individuals who have recently earned a doctoral degree in psychology or a related field. These positions focus on deepening expertise in sports psychology—studying how psychological factors affect athletic performance and how participation in sports impacts psychological well-being. Postdocs in this field may conduct original research, assist with athlete counseling, and contribute to the development of interventions for performance enhancement or mental health support for athletes. The experience often serves as a stepping stone to academic, clinical, or applied careers in sports psychology.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a sports psychology postdoctoral?

To thrive as a Sports Psychology Postdoctoral researcher, you need advanced knowledge in psychology, research methodology, and statistical analysis, typically supported by a PhD in psychology or a related field. Familiarity with data analysis software (such as SPSS or R), psychometric assessment tools, and ethical research practices is essential. Strong communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills help you effectively interact with athletes, coaches, and interdisciplinary teams. These competencies are crucial for producing high-impact research, supporting athlete well-being, and advancing evidence-based practices in sports psychology.

What types of interdisciplinary collaboration can a sports psychology postdoctoral expect during their fellowship?

As a Sports Psychology Postdoctoral fellow, you will often collaborate closely with athletic trainers, coaches, sports medicine physicians, and other mental health professionals. These collaborations are essential for developing holistic approaches to athlete care, integrating psychological strategies with physical training and injury recovery protocols. You may also participate in interdisciplinary research projects, providing psychological insights into athlete performance and well-being, and contribute to workshops or seminars for both athletes and staff. This collaborative environment fosters professional growth and provides valuable experience working within diverse, multi-specialist teams.

What is the difference between Sports Psychology Postdoctoral vs Sports Psychologist?

AspectSports Psychology PostdoctoralSports Psychologist
Required CredentialsDoctoral degree (PhD or PsyD), postdoctoral trainingLicensed psychologist, certification in sports psychology often preferred
Work EnvironmentResearch settings, universities, or clinics during trainingPrivate practice, sports teams, athletic organizations
Employer & IndustryUniversities, research institutions, sports clinicsSports teams, athletic organizations, private clients
Search & Comparison IntentPostdoctoral training, career development in sports psychologyPracticing sports psychology, client services

In summary, a Sports Psychology Postdoctoral is a trainee focusing on research and specialized training after earning a doctoral degree, while a Sports Psychologist is a licensed professional providing direct mental performance services to athletes and teams.

More about Sports Psychology Postdoctoral jobs

What cities are hiring for Sports Psychology Postdoctoral jobs?

Cities with the most Sports Psychology Postdoctoral job openings:

What states have the most Sports Psychology Postdoctoral jobs?

States with the most job openings for Sports Psychology Postdoctoral jobs include:

Infographic showing various Sports Psychology Postdoctoral job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% As Needed, 88% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $59,022 per year, or $28.4 per hour.

Therapy Trainee

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

USC Gould School of Law
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 1 - 5K employees

$24.07 - $39.94/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

2026 - 2027 Clinical Sport Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Position

The University of Southern California Counseling & Mental Health and USC Athletics is pleased to announce a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Sport Psychology for the 2026-2027 academic year. The position is full-time 12-month appointment (fixed-term) specifically providing clinical services to the university's student-athlete population.

Our post-doctoral training program offers learning opportunities through a variety of formats, such as observation, consultation, in-vivo exposure and experience. The duties include providing individual psychotherapy, crisis intervention, psychoeducation groups and seminars, and performance enhancement for USC student-athletes. Other responsibilities include clinical ADHD evaluations (no testing), outreach, assisting with programming, assisting with research, supervised team performance enhancement facilitation and training. In addition to clinical responsibilities, we gather for weekly group supervision and consultation, monthly diversity dialogues, in-depth individual supervision, creation and support of professional development plans, and weekly didactic training meetings with focus on clinical presentation, sport performance, and team culture topics.

The postdoctoral fellow will work under the supervision of a California licensed psychologist with specialization in sport psychology. USC is an NCAA Division I University with 23 teams and approximately 600 student athletes.

Applicants must have a Doctorate in Counseling or Clinical psychology from an APA-accredited program and have completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship.

The position is designed for individuals who are self-motivated, have a growth mindset, and are self-reflective in their development and clinical practice. Strong clinical skills and experience from a wide range of training experiences are required. Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and training in multicultural populations is essential. Organizational skills, follow through, strong understanding of boundaries and countertransference, ability to work independently in a responsible manner in a fast-paced environment, growth minded and openness to feedback are all essential to this position. Applicants must also demonstrate strong ethical and professional skills within all aspects of their clinical, consultation, and administrative duties. Experience as a high school or college athlete would be helpful, but not necessary.

The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research university located near downtown Los Angeles. USC has a population of 37,000 students, which includes undergraduate, graduate and professional degree students. USC is one of the top academic institutions in the United States with one of the most accomplished Athletic Departments in the country. The university has one of the largest international student populations in the United States.

The position is 12 months, full-time beginning August 1, 2026. Benefits include health, dental, vision, retirement, paid vacation and sick time, professional days, and more.

For more information please see: USC Counseling & Mental Health Training Website https://sites.usc.edu/cmhtraining/sportspsychology-postdoc/

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

The hourly rate range for this position is $24.07 - $39.94. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum Education: Doctoral candidate
Minimum Experience: 1 year
Minimum Skills: Experience working as a counselor. Knowledge of safety precautions appropriate to clinical setting.
Preferred Skills: Experience working with college students.

USC 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, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email atuschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this  USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser:

https://wd5.myworkday.com/usc/d/inst/1$9925/9925$145224.htmld