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Communication Postdoc Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Communication Postdoc information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$30.9K

$59.2K

$85K

How much do communication postdoc jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for communication postdoc in Chicago, IL is $59,222.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,900.00 and $67,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a communication postdoc?

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 are popular job titles related to Communication Postdoc jobs in Chicago, IL? For Communication Postdoc jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Communication Postdoc jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Communication Postdoc jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Communication Postdoc jobs near you

Postdoctoral Appointee - AI-Assisted Scientific Visualization and Intelligent Data Exploration

Argonne National Laboratory

Lemont, IL • On-site

$72K - $121K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

The ALCF has an opening for a postdoctoral position in AI-assisted scientific visualization and intelligent data exploration. The successful candidate will join the Visualization and Data Analytics team and contribute to IDEAS (Intelligent Data Exploration Assistant for Science), a multi-year research effort focused on developing AI-powered visualization systems that enable interactive, human-in-the-loop exploration of extreme-scale scientific data.

This position sits at the intersection of scientific visualization, agentic AI systems, human-computer interaction (HCI), and high-performance computing (HPC). The postdoc will work closely with visualization researchers, AI scientists, and domain application teams across Argonne and the broader DOE ecosystem.


The goal of this postdoctoral position is to design, develop, and evaluate AI-driven scientific visualization assistants that support intuitive, context-aware interaction with large-scale simulation and experimental data.

The postdoc will focus on the LLM/agent and HCI layers of IDEAS, including:

  • Mixed-initiative AI assistants for visualization and analysis,
  • Natural interaction paradigms for scientific workflows,
  • Integration of agentic systems with advanced visualization pipelines, and
  • Evaluation of trust, usability, and effectiveness of AI-assisted exploration.


The successful candidate will:

  • Research and develop AI-powered visualization assistants that explain, guide, and support scientific data exploration without replacing human judgment
  • Design human-centered interaction models for AI-assisted visualization, including natural language, mixed-initiative workflows, and immersive or experimental interfaces
  • Integrate LLM-based and agentic AI systems with scientific visualization frameworks, in situ pipelines, and data analysis workflows
  • Prototype and evaluate visualization systems using realistic scientific data and simulations, including applications in cosmology, materials, fusion, environmental science, and light source data
  • Collaborate closely with domain scientists to understand exploration needs and translate them into effective AI-assisted visualization tools
  • Publish and present research results at leading venues in visualization, AI, and HPC (e.g., IEEE VIS, LDAV, eScience, ISC, SC)
  • Contribute software, prototypes, and design patterns to shared research infrastructure at ALCF and across DOE projects

This postdoctoral position directly supports ALCF's mission to advance AI-enabled scientific discovery. The work will:

  • Enable new modes of interactive exploration for exascale simulation and experimental data
  • Inform the design of future visualization systems and AI services for leadership computing facilities
  • Strengthen ALCF's role in shaping human-centered AI systems for science, bridging visualization, AI, and HPC
  • Contribute to DOE-wide efforts in AI-ready workflows, reproducibility, and scalable data understanding

Position Requirements

  • PhD completed within the last 0-5 years (or near completion) in Computer Science, Computational Science, Visualization, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field
  • Strong background in scientific visualization, visual analytics, or interactive data exploration
  • Experience programming in one or more languages such as Python, C/C++, or JavaScript
  • Experience with AI or machine learning techniques, including large language models or agentic systems
  • Experience developing or integrating interactive visualization systems, including web-based, immersive (XR), or experimental display environments
  • Ability to create, maintain, and support high-quality research software
  • Experience working collaboratively in multidisciplinary research teams
  • Effective written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to model Argonne's core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

  • Experience with in situ visualization, data streaming, or real-time analysis workflows
  • Experience with LLMs, conversational agents, or AI-assisted interfaces for scientific or data-driven applications
  • Familiarity with HPC environments, distributed systems, or large-scale data pipelines
  • Experience with game engines, XR systems, or advanced graphics frameworks applied to scientific data
  • Record of publications in visualization, AI, or computational science venues
  • Interest in working closely with domain scientists on real-world scientific problems

Job Family

Postdoctoral

Job Profile

Postdoctoral Appointee

Worker Type

Long-Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type

Full timeThe expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

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