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Freelance Mechanical Engineering Postdoctoral Jobs

New York University

Postdoctoral Associate

New York, NY · On-site

$62K/yr

Description POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE New York University Tandon School of Engineering The Dynamical ... Qualifications Candidates should have a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or ...

The Pennsylvania State University

The Postdoctoral Scholar will also mentor graduate students working in the area of semiconductor ... A PhD in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline ...

NorthEastern

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Boston, MA · On-site

$60K - $85K/yr

This is a full-time, fixed-term postdoctoral appointment within NanoSI. The position offers access ... PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related ...

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Freelance Mechanical Engineering Postdoctoral information

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How much do freelance mechanical engineering postdoctoral jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance mechanical engineering postdoctoral in the United States is $54,223.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,500.00 and $56,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance mechanical engineering postdoctoral?

To thrive as a Freelance Mechanical Engineering Postdoctoral, you need an advanced degree (PhD) in mechanical engineering, robust analytical skills, and a strong research background in your specialization. Experience with CAD software, simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS, MATLAB), and familiarity with publishing platforms or grant writing is crucial. Strong project management, self-motivation, and clear communication skills set you apart in independent and client-driven environments. These abilities are essential for delivering high-quality research, managing multiple projects, and building a successful freelance reputation.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance mechanical engineering postdoctoral researchers, and how can they be addressed?

Freelance mechanical engineering postdoctoral researchers often face challenges such as securing consistent project work, managing their own schedules, and maintaining access to specialized equipment or software. Building a strong professional network and regularly reaching out to industry contacts can help in finding new opportunities. Additionally, collaborating with universities or research institutions can provide access to necessary resources and foster partnerships. Effective time management and clear communication with clients are key to delivering high-quality work on time.

What is a freelance mechanical engineering postdoctoral?

A Freelance Mechanical Engineering Postdoctoral position refers to a research role in mechanical engineering that is conducted independently without being tied to a single academic institution or employer. Individuals in this role often collaborate on a project basis with universities, research organizations, or private companies. This allows for greater flexibility, autonomy in research focus, and the opportunity to work on diverse projects. Freelance postdocs may handle their own funding, manage multiple contracts, and are responsible for networking to secure ongoing work.

What is the difference between Freelance Mechanical Engineering Postdoctoral vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectFreelance Mechanical Engineering PostdoctoralMechanical Engineer
CredentialsPhD in Mechanical Engineering or related fieldBachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, often remoteCompany or manufacturing setting, team-based
Employer & Industry UsageAcademic institutions, research labs, consultingManufacturing, automotive, aerospace, product design
Search & Comparison IntentResearch, academic, specialized consultingIndustry roles, engineering projects

The main difference is that a Freelance Mechanical Engineering Postdoctoral typically holds a PhD and works independently on research or consulting projects, often in academic or specialized settings. In contrast, a Mechanical Engineer usually has a bachelor's or master's degree and works within a company or industry environment on product development or manufacturing tasks.

More about Freelance Mechanical Engineering Postdoctoral jobs

What cities are hiring for Freelance Mechanical Engineering Postdoctoral jobs?

Cities with the most Freelance Mechanical Engineering Postdoctoral job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Mechanical Engineering Postdoctoral jobs?

The most popular types of Mechanical Engineering Postdoctoral jobs are:

What states have the most Freelance Mechanical Engineering Postdoctoral jobs?

States with the most job openings for Freelance Mechanical Engineering Postdoctoral jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Freelance Mechanical Engineering Postdoctoral jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance Mechanical Engineering Postdoctoral jobs are:

Freelance Mechanical Engineering Postdoctoral jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Mechanical Engineering Postdoctoral job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,223 per year, or $26.1 per hour.

Postdoctoral Scholar - Surgery

Penn State University

Hershey, PA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Penn State University rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 103 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

229th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
  • CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
The Penn State College of Medicine, Division of Applied Biomedical Engineering in the Department of Surgery, in Hershey, PA, is seeking a highly driven post-doctoral scholar capable of joining an internationally recognized team developing next-generation mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices, including a pediatric ventricular assist device (Child Pump) and continuous-flow blood pumps. The applicant must have a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a closely related field. This position is on campus, in person.
The Division of Applied Biomedical Engineering consists of 5 faculty members with expertise in mechanical engineering, fluid dynamics, electrical engineering, and biomaterials. In addition, there are 9 full-time staff members specializing in computational methods, in vitro and in vivo testing, mechanical design, machining, assembly, and polymer fabrication. The Division collaborates closely with surgeons, cardiologists, veterinarians, and commercial partners, and focuses on the research and development of devices to treat heart and pulmonary failure.
Duties include (but are not limited to):
  • Designing and optimizing rotary blood pump components, including impellers/rotors, volutes, and hydrodynamic bearings
  • Conducting computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations to evaluate pump hydraulic performance, blood damage (hemolysis, vWF, platelets), and bearing clearance
  • Planning and executing in vitro experimental testing, including hydraulic performance characterization and blood-based assays
  • Supporting in vivo (large-animal) studies in collaboration with the surgical and veterinary team
  • Analyzing and interpreting data, preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication, and presenting at scientific conferences
  • Contributing to the preparation of grant applications and progress reports
  • Mentoring graduate and undergraduate students

Specific criteria include:
  • Recent PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field, with significant experience in mechanical circulatory support systems or rotary blood pump development
  • Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following: turbomachinery design, tribology, hydrodynamic bearings, CFD/FSI modeling, or pump hydraulic testing
  • Proficiency with engineering software such as CAD (e.g. SolidWorks), CFD solvers (e.g., CONVERGE, ANSYS Fluent, ABAQUS), and FEM/FSI tools
  • Strong critical thinking skills, rigorous training in the scientific method, and the ability to synthesize scientific literature to generate novel hypotheses
  • Excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and strong written and verbal communication skills

Interested candidates should apply online and provide a detailed CV with 2-3 references.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.
BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.
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