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Communication Postdoc Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Postdoctoral Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 532276 Work type: Research Faculty ... Self-motivated and able to work independently and collaboratively Strong communication skills ...

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Communication Postdoc information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Communication Postdoc, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Communication Postdoc, you typically need a PhD in communication or a related field, strong research skills, and a solid publication record. Familiarity with qualitative and quantitative research tools, statistical analysis software (such as SPSS or NVivo), and academic publishing platforms is often expected. Exceptional written and verbal communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills help distinguish top candidates. These competencies are crucial for advancing research, publishing impactful work, and contributing effectively to academic teams and projects.

What is a Communication Postdoc?

A Communication Postdoc is a researcher who has completed their doctoral studies and is conducting advanced research in the field of communication, often at a university or research institute. Their work may focus on areas such as media studies, interpersonal communication, digital communication, or organizational communication. Postdoctoral positions are typically temporary, lasting one to three years, and are designed to help scholars deepen their expertise, publish research, and gain experience before pursuing permanent academic or industry positions.

What is the difference between Communication Postdoc vs Communication Specialist?

AspectCommunication PostdocCommunication Specialist
Required CredentialsPhD in Communication or related fieldBachelor's or Master's degree in Communication or related field
Work EnvironmentAcademic or research institutionsCorporate, nonprofit, or media organizations
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research centersBusinesses, government agencies, media outlets
Common Search & ComparisonYesNo

The main difference between a Communication Postdoc and a Communication Specialist lies in their work environment and credentials. A Communication Postdoc typically holds a PhD and works in academic or research settings, focusing on advancing communication theories and research. In contrast, a Communication Specialist usually has a bachelor's or master's degree and works in corporate or media environments, applying communication strategies to support organizational goals.

What are some common challenges Communication Postdocs face when transitioning from doctoral studies to postdoctoral research roles?

Communication Postdocs often encounter challenges such as adapting to increased research independence, managing multiple projects simultaneously, and balancing publishing expectations with teaching or mentoring responsibilities. Additionally, they may need to quickly integrate into new research teams and navigate institutional cultures different from their graduate experiences. Developing effective collaboration and time management skills is crucial for success and for building a strong professional network in this stage of their career.
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Communication Postdoc jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Communication Postdoc job openings:
Infographic showing various Communication Postdoc job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution.
Research Associate, Cope Lab

Research Associate, Cope Lab

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


University Of Virginia rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 35 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

182nd of 555 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Dr. Elise Cope's Lab (copelab.org) in the Department of Neuroscience and the Center of Brain Immunology and Glia (BIG) at the University of Virginia is seeking to hire a motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate how structural plasticity contributes to social memory function in the healthy and diseased brain. Research in the lab focuses on hippocampal microcircuits underlying social memory, with an emphasis on the roles of adult-born neurons, perineuronal nets, and microglia. The Cope Lab employs behavioral, histological, pharmacologic, environmental, transgenic, viral, chemogenetic, and in vivo electrophysiological methods to uncover how these cells and their cellular or extracellular structures interact and collectively shape hippocampal social memory function.
Postdoctoral Research Associates will manage their own projects, interact with other lab members and collaborators, present their work at lab meetings and conferences, and contribute to grant applications and manuscripts for publication. Candidates will be expected to learn new techniques as a part of their training requirement. This position also includes opportunities to help mentor and teach students.
The position is a 12-month appointment with the possibility of renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.
Postdoctoral employment is temporary and is normally limited to an individual who has been awarded a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate within the previous five years and who will be involved in full-time research or scholarship at the University. Employment as a Postdoctoral Research Associate is viewed as training and is preparatory for a full-time academic or research career, is supervised by a senior scholar, and allows the appointee to publish the results of his/her research or scholarship during the training period.
For questions regarding this position, please contact Dr. Elise Cope at zxg4ym@virginia.edu. The University of Virginia is located in picturesque and historical Charlottesville, with outstanding schools, affordable housing, is less than two hours from Washington, DC, and only an hour away from Richmond, VA.
Qualified candidates must have:
  • Doctoral degree in neuroscience, or a related field by the start date of the appointment
  • First author publication(s)
  • Experience in the independent conduct of laboratory experiments including experimental design, data display in figures, data analysis including standard statistical analyses, and data management
  • Interest and confidence in developing new techniques for hypothesis testing
  • High level of motivation and technical capacity to drive a research project
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Excellent communication skills, demonstrated by a strong publication record, consistent with the candidate's career stage, and presentations at conferences
  • Ability to work with others as part of a team, including both teaching and learning from others

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with one or more of these methods: mouse handling, stereotaxic survival surgery, behavior testing, immunohistochemistry, confocal imaging, in vivo neural recordings.
  • Demonstrated creativity and flexibility in experimental design or new methods

Physical Demands:
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.
The position will remain open until filled. This is an exempt-level, benefitted position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits . This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance. This position is located in Charlottesville, VA. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. A pre-employment health screening is required.
To Apply:
Please apply through the UVA job board , and search for R0071681.
Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website .
Complete an application online with the following documents:
  • Cover letter
  • Curriculum vitae (CV)

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.
References will be completed via UVA's standardized process Skill Survey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process.
For questions about the application process, please contact Jon Freeman, Recruiter, at jf2sw @virginia.edu .
For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/.
Job Profile
J0267 - Research Associate - 12 Month
Career Stream and Level
No Career Stream-No Level
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment .

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About University of Virginia

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The University of Virginia is distinctive among institutions of higher education. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University sustains the ideal of developing, through education, leaders who are well-prepared to shape the future of the nation.

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Colleges, universities, and professional schools

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10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Charlottesville, VA, US

Year founded

1819