ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Engineering Postdoc Jobs (NOW HIRING)

JPL

Postdoc: Lunar Volatiles

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$53K - $72K/yr

JPL seeks to employ scientists and engineers who are passionate about lifelong learning and excited to both contribute to and lead team efforts. We emphasize the importance of partnering across ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsEngineering Postdoc Jobs

Engineering Postdoc information

See salary details

$72K

$125.2K

$180K

How much do engineering postdoc jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for engineering postdoc in the United States is $125,163.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,000.00 and $143,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an engineering postdoc?

An Engineering Postdoc is a temporary research position for PhD graduates to gain advanced training and experience in engineering fields. Postdocs work on specialized projects, publish research, collaborate with faculty, and may mentor students. These positions typically last 1-3 years and help researchers prepare for academic, industry, or government roles.

What are the typical day-to-day responsibilities of an engineering postdoc?

Engineering Postdocs usually spend their days designing and conducting advanced research experiments, analyzing data, and documenting their findings for publication or presentations. They often collaborate closely with faculty members, graduate students, and other researchers to develop new methods or contribute to ongoing projects. Additional tasks may include mentoring junior team members, preparing grant applications, and presenting results at conferences. This blend of research, collaboration, and academic engagement provides valuable experience for future academic or industry roles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the engineering postdoc position?

To thrive as an Engineering Postdoc, you typically need a PhD in engineering or a related field, a solid research background, and deep expertise in your specific engineering discipline. Familiarity with advanced modeling software, programming languages (such as MATLAB or Python), and laboratory or simulation equipment is commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, independent problem-solving, and effective written and verbal communication skills are essential soft skills for this role. These competencies are important for successfully conducting innovative research, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, and contributing to publications and grant proposals.

More about Engineering Postdoc jobs

What cities are hiring for Engineering Postdoc jobs?

Cities with the most Engineering Postdoc job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineering Postdoc jobs?

The most popular types of Engineering Postdoc jobs are:

What states have the most Engineering Postdoc jobs?

States with the most job openings for Engineering Postdoc jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Engineering Postdoc jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Engineering Postdoc jobs are:

Engineering Postdoc jobs near you
Infographic showing various Engineering Postdoc job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $125,163 per year, or $60.2 per hour.

Postdoc: Lunar Volatiles

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Campus, IL • On-site

$47K - $64K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That's our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers-literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission-your opportunity-is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you're driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you're ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

JPL is unique among NASA Centers in that its staff are Caltech employees, yet can access NASA technical resources. Cross-discipline teamwork is standard here: colleagues across JPL's science and engineering organizations and on Caltech's academic campus often work together. Learning to speak and understand other disciplines' languages is a doorway to the creativity needed to do what has not been done before. JPL staff are encouraged to create mission concepts that address humanity's core questions through a combination of science and technology. They are supported in developing ideas into proposals and hardware, and in communicating funded missions' results to the scientific community and the broader public. JPL seeks to employ scientists and engineers who are passionate about lifelong learning and excited to both contribute to and lead team efforts. We emphasize the importance of partnering across discipline boundaries and creating a friendly, constructive work environment to overcome space exploration's challenges. The Postdoctoral scholars at JPL benefit from an informal mentoring network, an annual conference showcasing their results, a dedicated seminar series, exposure to diverse career paths, and social connections across the JPL and Caltech community for advice on housing, childcare, and other aspects of living in southern California.

JPL's Planetary Geology group is seeking a postdoc who will join them in the study of volatiles in lunar igneous rocks.

The selected postdoc will focus on the following:

  • Characterizing the texture of lunar samples,

  • Determining the mineral chemistry,

  • Measuring volatile abundances in minerals and glasses,

  • Interpreting the volatile data based on the petrogenesis of the sample,

  • Collaboration with scientists at different institutions to place observations in regional context to answer questions about the Moon's differentiation and evolution.

The postdoc is expected lead conference abstracts and associated presentations and write and contribute to peer-reviewed publications. The successful applicant is also encouraged to design and conduct their own research that enhances the tasks above.

Required Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. in Petrology, Geochemistry, Planetary Science, or a related field

  • In-depth knowledge of petrography, mineralogy, petrology, and geochemistry

  • Experience in microbeam analyses such as SEM, EMP, SIMS

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of lunar science

  • Demonstrated proficiency in writing peer-reviewed publications

  • Demonstrated experience in writing/developing research grants/proposals

The appointee will carry out research in collaboration with the JPL advisor, resulting in publications in the open literature.

Applicants may be subject to additional program requirements by NASA. Postdoc positions are awarded for a minimum of one-year period and may be renewed up to a maximum of three years. Candidates should submit the following to this site: CV, representative publications, contact information for three references, and a cover letter stating their research accomplishments and interests.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee's start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$83,820 - $83,820

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.

Apply