Career Guide

Psychedelic Researcher Jobs in Psychedelic Medicine

Clinical researchers and scientists drive the evidence base for psychedelic medicine through Phase 1–3 clinical trials at biotech companies and academic institutions.

Salary Range

Entry
$65K
Median
$95K
Senior
$145K

Research associates typically start at $65K–$80K. Senior scientists and PIs range from $95K–$145K. Academic positions may be lower but include grant funding and publication opportunities.

How to Become a Psychedelic Researcher

Clinical research in psychedelic medicine sits at the intersection of neuroscience, psychiatry, and pharmacology. Researchers at biotech companies like COMPASS Pathways, Helus Pharma, and Lykos work on Phase 1–3 trials, while academic institutions including Johns Hopkins, NYU, and Imperial College London lead investigator-initiated research.

Education

A graduate degree is typically required. Most research scientist positions expect a PhD in neuroscience, pharmacology, psychology, or a related field. Clinical research associate (CRA) roles and study coordinator positions can be entered with a bachelor's or master's degree. MD/PhD combinations are common at the investigator level.

Certifications & Licensing

Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification is required for most industry roles. ACRP credentials (CCRC, CCRA) are valuable. IRB/ethics training is standard. FDA drug development experience — especially with IND-stage compounds — is a differentiating qualification.

Career Path

A typical path: research assistant or coordinator → research associate → senior scientist → principal investigator. Academic researchers often enter industry after postdoctoral fellowships. Industry researchers may move between clinical-stage companies as the field grows.

Required Qualifications

  • PhD, MD, or PharmD (for scientist/PI roles)
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree (for coordinator/associate roles)
  • GCP (Good Clinical Practice) certification
  • Experience with clinical trial protocols (ICH E6)
  • Data analysis skills (SPSS, R, or Python)

3 Open Researcher Positions

Atlanta, Georgia; Baltimore, Maryland; Brownsville, Texas; Chesterfield, Missouri; Detroit, Michigan; El Paso, Texas; Escondido, California; Kelowna, British Columbia; Lake Worth, Florida; Maplewood, Minnesota; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Orlando, Florida; Plymouth, Massachusetts; Portland, Oregon; Richmond, British Columbia; Riverside, California; Rolling Hills Estates, California; San Diego, California; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Scottsdale, Arizona; Springfield, Missouri; Toronto, Ontario; Wilmington, North Carolina
3d ago
New York, NY (Hybrid)
2mo ago
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Training & Certifications

Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research

Leading academic research center. Offers research fellowship and training opportunities.

MAPS Research Fellowship

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies offers training for MDMA-assisted therapy researchers.

ACRP Clinical Research Certification

Industry-standard clinical research certifications (CCRC, CCRA) recognized across the pharmaceutical industry.

Other Career Paths

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