Research Psychologist, Neurosciences - 141534

University of California San Diego; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 129,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HX Contract

Job summary

UC San Diego is seeking a licensed clinical psychologist to join our Neurosciences department in La Jolla. The role focuses on autism and early child development within a multidisciplinary research team, with potential for combined clinical and research duties.

The psychologist will conduct comprehensive evaluations, use standardized tests, communicate findings to families, and mentor trainees while contributing to ongoing research projects related to autism and development.

Qualifications

• Current license to practice clinical psychology in California.
• Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology eligible for California licensure.
• Experience conducting diagnostic evaluations of children with autism.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive diagnostic and developmental evaluations for autism and related conditions.
• Administer, score, and interpret standardized assessments; write evaluation reports.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team and mentor trainees.

Skills

Clinical psychology

Autism assessment

Diagnostic interviews

Education

Ph.D./Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology

Tools

ADOS

Mullen Scales

Job description

Payroll Title: PSYCHOLOGIST 2

Department: Neurosciences

Hiring Pay Scale: $128,973.63-$150,994.10/Year

Worksite: La Jolla

Appointment Type: Career

Appointment Percent: 100%

Union: HX Contract

Total Openings: 1

Work Schedule: Days, 8-Hour Shifts, Monday-Friday

#141534 Research Psychologist, Neurosciences

Filing Deadline: Tue 10/6/2026

UCSD Layoff from Career Appointment: Apply by 9/25/2026 for consideration with preference for rehire. All layoff applicants should contact their Employment Advisor.

Reassignment Applicants: Eligible Reassignment clients should contact their Disability Counselor for assistance.

DESCRIPTION

The UCSD Autism Center of Excellence is part of the Department of Neurosciences, an internationally recognized department within the UCSD School of Medicine, comprised of 152 Faculty, 25 Research and Project Scientists, 40 Postdocs, 25 Clinical Education, Administrative and Business Office staff with ~150 Research lab staff.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and collaborative licensed clinical psychologist to join our multidisciplinary research team focused on autism and early child development. Our program conducts NIH-, industry-, and philanthropically funded research aimed at advancing the early identification of autism, understanding its developmental and biological origins, and developing improved diagnostic and prognostic approaches. This position offers flexibility depending upon the candidate's interests. The psychologist may work full time in a clinical capacity or may choose a combined clinical-research position consisting of approximately four days per week of clinical work and one day per week devoted to research activities.

The primary responsibility of the position is conducting comprehensive diagnostic and developmental evaluations of children with autism, suspected autism, and other developmental concerns, as well as typically developing children participating in research studies. The psychologist typically conducts approximately 8 assessment sessions per week in a full-time clinical role. Responsibilities may include: conducting diagnostic evaluations for autism and other developmental conditions; administering, scoring, and interpreting standardized diagnostic, developmental, and psychometric assessments; writing a summary evaluation report; providing clinical impressions and communicating assessment results to families; collaborating with members of the multidisciplinary research team; and mentoring undergraduate students and/or supervising or providing clinical guidance to trainees and non-licensed psychologists working toward clinical licensure, as appropriate.

Additionally, the Psychologist may perform research activities. The duties may include: participating in the development and implementation of research protocols; developing or evaluating new approaches to the early identification and characterization of autism; developing novel behavioral and diagnostic assessment methods; conducting research experiments with infants, toddlers, and children; participating in data analysis and interpretation; contributing to scientific presentations, abstracts, and manuscripts; and collaborating with investigators and other members of the research team on ongoing and new research projects. Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Current license to practice clinical psychology in the State of California.
• Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology or a closely related field that qualifies for California licensure.
• Prior experience conducting diagnostic evaluations of children with autism or suspected ASD.
• Experience administering and interpreting standardized psychological, developmental, and/or diagnostic assessments.
• Knowledge of psychodiagnostic procedures and tests, such as the ADOS and Mullen Scales of Early Learning.
• Ability to interview, perform psychological assessment, perform psychodiagnoses, plan and implement a variety of case dispositions.
• Ability to develop scientific documents from collected data and present findings at scientific and educational venues.
• Ability to interact easily and functionally with colleagues; ability to work well independently or as part of a team.
• Demonstrated organizational skills.
• Experience in research setting and/or presenting to groups.
• Theoretical and experiential knowledge of autism.
• Ability to relate warmly, humanely , sensitively, and empathically to others.
• Demonstrated writing and editing skills and computer literacy with Windows, WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, and Excel
• Background in experimental design and statistics.
• Knowledge of basic psychological science.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and tradtionally underrepresented client groups.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary clinical research team.
• Knowledge of the current laws, procedures and ethical principles that govern the practice of psychology, including services suggested or information disclosed by telephone.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience conducting diagnostic evaluations of infants and toddlers ages 12–36 months.
• Experience administering the ADOS or ADOS-2.
• Experience with developmental assessments such as the Mullen Scales of Early Learning.
• Experience working with both children with autism/developmental concerns and typically developing children.
• Previous clinical research experience.
• Experience supervising psychology trainees or clinicians working toward licensure.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills preferred but are not required.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $128,974 - $169,865 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $61.77 - $81.35

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational — or "bench-to-bedside" — research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician-scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit UC San Diego Principles of Community.

The University of California 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, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit smokefree.ucsd.edu for more information.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace