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
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
View all jobs →Training & Certifications
Leading academic research center. Offers research fellowship and training opportunities.
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies offers training for MDMA-assisted therapy researchers.
Industry-standard clinical research certifications (CCRC, CCRA) recognized across the pharmaceutical industry.
Other Career Paths
Psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapy facilitators guide clients through medicine sessions in licensed service centers.
Clinical trial coordinators manage day-to-day operations of psychedelic research studies, handling patient recruitment, protocol compliance, and data integrity.
Licensed therapists specializing in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and integration support for clients undergoing or recovering from medicine sessions.
Regulatory professionals navigate FDA submissions, IND applications, and compliance frameworks that govern psychedelic drug development.
BD and partnerships professionals drive commercial growth at psychedelic medicine companies through licensing deals, partnerships, and market expansion.