Research Associate in clinical psychedelic science

Join an active clinical research lab at the forefront of psychedelic science. As a Research Associate, you will contribute to multiple clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy, work alongside experienced investigators in a translational science model, and gain the kind of intensive, hands-on research experience that prepares you for graduate study or a career in clinical research.

Position at a Glance

Full-time, hybrid role in Portland, Oregon; ideal for a strong post-baccalaureate applicant seeking intensive experience in clinical psychedelic science before graduate study or other advanced training.

Compensation

Typical starting salary range is $50,000–$55,000.

Term and Schedule

40 hours per week; primarily daytime hours with occasional evening or weekend availability; fixed-term position that typically lasts two years and may be extended depending on funding and staffing needs.

Target Start Date

June–August 2026

Position Overview

The Portland Institute for Psychedelic Science (PIPS) and Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center are hiring a Research Associate to support our growing program of clinical psychedelic science. This position is especially well suited for a talented applicant seeking focused, hands-on research experience in psychedelic science before graduate school or other advanced training. Our current projects span MDMA- and psilocybin-assisted therapy clinical trials, practice-based research on Oregon’s psilocybin services, and studies of psychological processes of change.

The Research Associate will work closely with investigators and clinical research staff on studies involving psychedelic-assisted therapy and related areas of behavioral science. The role includes participant-facing research activities, lab management, project coordination, data and regulatory management, literature review, and scientific communication. Depending on experience and project needs, the Research Associate may contribute to posters, presentations, manuscripts, and other scholarly products, including co-authorship when appropriate.

About PIPS

PIPS was formed in 2024 to bring together our work in psychedelic research, clinical services, and professional training under one integrated umbrella. Our model is intentionally translational: we aim to move findings from research into practice and training while grounding clinical innovation in careful science.

Our work is grounded in contextual behavioral science and affective science. In psychedelic science, we focus especially on supporting the development of evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapy and on understanding the psychological and behavioral processes through which these interventions may contribute to change. We also support open science principles and aim to conduct research that is rigorous, inclusive, and clinically meaningful.

The Research Associate will play an important role in this mission by helping coordinate studies, support participant-facing procedures, manage data and regulatory workflows, oversee core lab operations, and contribute to dissemination efforts that help translate findings into practice and training.

Examples of Current and Recent Areas of Work

The Research Associate may contribute to projects such as the following:

• A completed clinical trial involving MDMA-assisted therapy for social anxiety, including a planned second clinical trial of MDMA-assisted therapy for social anxiety disorder.
• A clinical trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy for chronic pelvic pain.
• Collaborative work with the Open Psychedelic Evaluation Nexus, a practice-based research network that helps evaluate psilocybin services in Oregon and Colorado.
• Studies of psychological and behavioral processes of change related to psychedelics, shame, compassion, self-transcendent emotion, social functioning, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
• Recent or ongoing projects concerning psychedelic integration, informed consent to psychedelic-assisted therapy, touch in psychedelic-assisted therapy, outcomes from psychedelic retreats, and survey research related to the Oregon psilocybin ecosystem.

Reporting Structure

This position reports to the Director of Research and works in close collaboration with investigators, research coordinators, study therapists, assessors, physicians, trainees, and other project staff across the PIPS research program. The Research Associate also functions as lab manager for day-to-day research operations and shared lab infrastructure.

Core Responsibilities

Clinical Psychedelic Science and Participant-Facing Research

• Recruit research participants, support screening and consent procedures, and help maintain a professional, affirming participant experience.
• Schedule study visits and research procedures, coordinate longitudinal follow-up, and help track study progress over time.
• Conduct interviews, administer assessments, score measures, collect survey data, and review medical records as appropriate to the study protocol and training level of the associate.
• Consult with clinical staff and research personnel to coordinate study procedures and maintain smooth communication across teams.

Lab Management, Project Coordination, Data Systems, and Research Operations

• Serve as the lab manager for the PIPS research program by maintaining databases, performing high-quality data entry, managing longitudinal tracking systems, and helping implement efficient data workflows and automated pipelines where feasible.
• Develop, organize, and maintain standardized coding documentation, study materials, protocols, and standard operating procedures for research workflows, lab systems, and administrative tasks.
• Assist with human-subjects regulatory processes, protocol management, equipment and supply coordination, research space and logistics, and the scheduling of research meetings and events.
• Help oversee project tracking systems, shared calendars, and administrative workflows so that studies remain organized, deadlines are visible, and team members can coordinate work efficiently.
• Assist with the recruitment, onboarding, training, and coordination of volunteer or junior research assistants as needed, and help orient new team members to lab procedures and systems.

Scientific Communication and Team Support

• Conduct scientific literature searches, obtain articles for investigators, and maintain reference databases using reference-management software.
• Assist in manuscript editing and preparation, conference support, and other dissemination efforts related to ongoing research.
• Write clear research summaries or other public-facing materials related to lab activities when needed.
• Attend lab meetings and contribute to a collaborative, mission-driven research environment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of the PIPS research program.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in psychology or a related behavioral, social, or health science; or an appropriate combination of education and experience.
• At least one year of research experience through a lab, internship, thesis project, or related role.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in both individual and group settings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software and comfort learning new digital systems.
• Strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and a high level of professionalism with participants, staff, and collaborators.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a clinical research environment or other human-subjects research setting, ideally with some responsibility for lab management, project coordination, or research operations.
• Experience administering interviews, assessments, or measures of psychological functioning.
• Experience programming or managing projects in REDCap.
• Training in statistics and basic proficiency with statistical software such as R, SPSS, or Stata.
• Knowledge of FDA and federal regulatory requirements relevant to clinical research.
• Previous work or education in clinical psychology, counseling, clinical social work, neuroscience, public health, or a related field.
• Flexibility in hours when studies require accommodation of participant schedules.
• A strong interest in psychedelic science, clinical psychology, affective science, or future graduate training in a related field.

Physical and Other Demands

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain organization in a fast-paced environment.
• Capacity to engage in community outreach and manage participant interactions professionally and warmly.
• Capacity to handle and lift office supplies and small packages up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods during work hours.

Mentorship and Learning Environment

This position is intended to provide substantial mentorship for individuals interested in clinical psychology, clinical science, or psychedelic science. Research staff are typically involved in multiple projects and work collaboratively with investigators and clinical research personnel across the institute. The role also provides hands-on experience in lab management within an active clinical research program.

Mentorship includes regular one-on-one meetings with the Director of Research, participation in weekly lab meetings and team meetings, feedback on scientific writing, and involvement in discussions of study design and research strategy.

The Research Associate will have opportunities to deepen skills in clinical research methods, ethics, scientific writing, data management, lab operations, and the conduct of psychedelic science. Depending on the needs of current projects and the associate’s skills, there may also be opportunities to support conference presentations, public communication, and grant-related work.

Schedule, Term, and Benefits

We are looking to fill a full-time position (40 hours per week) with a full benefits package. The schedule is reasonably flexible and requires daytime hours with occasional evening or weekend availability. The role uses a hybrid work schedule, with some in-person work required.

This is a fixed-term position that typically lasts two years and can be extended depending on funding and staffing needs. Portland Psychotherapy strives to provide staff with a high level of flexibility and autonomy and to support a sustainable work-life balance.

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Employee retirement plan with 3% match
• Life and long-term disability insurance
• Stipend for professional education
• Dedicated stipend for training related to anti-racist practice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Free attendance at our workshops and classes through continuing education and internal training programs
• Ability to bring your well-behaved animal companion to work

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Portland Psychotherapy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an affirming and inclusive environment for all employees. Persons from historically disadvantaged populations, including gender, sexual, and racial minorities, are encouraged to apply. Our team is multicultural, antiracist, and LGBTQIA2S+ affirming, and we are particularly interested in expanding the diversity of our staff to further our antiracism and social justice goals.

About Portland Psychotherapy and Our Model

Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center is based on a social enterprise model that seeks to contribute to the social good in four areas: our local community, the wider community, employees, and the natural environment. All profits generated at Portland Psychotherapy are used to support these efforts, including our scientific research and training mission.

• Our local community — through clinical services, including reduced-fee care, psychotherapy training and workshops, supervision of trainees, and support for local therapists.
• The wider community — through scientific research and scholarship, dissemination of innovations, and participation in national and international organizations.
• Employees — through creating an excellent place to work with a high quality of life for staff.
• The natural environment — through efforts to manage our environmental footprint in sustainable ways.

This funding structure helps protect our research program from the instability of grant-dependent funding and allows us to support a true scientist-practitioner model. PIPS sits within this broader mission and reflects our commitment to integrating research, clinical work, and training in ways that benefit both science and the public.

Portland Psychotherapy has a local, national, and international reputation as a leading center for evidence-based therapy, especially Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, psychedelic-assisted therapy, training, and research. The center is housed in a beautifully restored 1889 Victorian home in the N. Williams corridor of Portland.

Learn More

Scientific publications: Publications by scientists at Portland Psychotherapy

Portland Institute for Psychedelic Science

How to Apply

To apply, please complete the online application form (must be logged into Google to submit) and upload your CV using the file upload fields provided at the end of the form. If you are selected to move forward, you will be asked to submit additional information including three references.