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Junior Researcher Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Physical Sciences Research; Platform Lifecycle Support; and Foreign Military Sales. Unified by ... We are seeking a Junior Engineer to support Airborne Electronic Warfare systems and related ...

Physical Sciences Research; Platform Lifecycle Support; and Foreign Military Sales. Unified by ... We are seeking a Junior Engineer to support Airborne Electronic Warfare systems and related ...

Junior Event Producer RTM Business Group Hybrid in NY, NJ, CT or Remote in CA, FL, TX, PA, GA, OH ... Research and create compelling content for conferences with industry experts and internal teams

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Junior Researcher information

See Indiana salary details

$27.6K

$54.9K

$118.5K

How much do junior researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior researcher in Indiana is $54,859.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,900.00 and $56,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a junior researcher?

Junior researchers are early-career professionals who assist in conducting academic, scientific, or market research under the supervision of senior researchers or principal investigators. Their responsibilities often include gathering and analyzing data, performing literature reviews, and preparing reports or presentations. Junior researchers typically have a bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field and are looking to gain experience and develop their research skills. They play a vital role in supporting the research process and may contribute to publications or grant proposals.

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

To thrive as a Junior Researcher, you need a solid academic background in your field, strong analytical skills, and experience in research methodologies. Familiarity with data analysis software, literature databases, and often tools like SPSS, R, or Python is typically required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and a proactive attitude are standout soft skills in this position. These competencies enable accurate data collection, insightful analysis, and effective teamwork, all crucial for advancing research projects and producing reliable results.

What are some common challenges faced by junior researchers in their first year, and how can they overcome them?

Junior Researchers often encounter challenges such as adapting to the fast-paced research environment, managing multiple projects with tight deadlines, and learning new methodologies quickly. Building strong communication skills and seeking regular feedback from senior colleagues can help navigate these challenges. Additionally, proactively organizing tasks and taking advantage of mentorship opportunities within the research team can greatly support professional growth and confidence in the role.

How much do junior researchers make in the US?

Junior researchers in the US typically earn an average salary ranging from $40,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on the industry, location, and level of education. Entry-level positions may start lower, while those with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher wages. Salaries often increase with experience and additional responsibilities.

How to become a junior researcher?

To become a junior researcher, typically a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as science, social science, or engineering is required. Gaining research experience through internships, developing skills in data analysis and report writing, and familiarity with research tools or software can improve prospects. Entry-level positions often require strong analytical abilities and attention to detail.

What are the duties of a junior researcher?

A junior researcher assists with collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data for research projects. They often conduct literature reviews, prepare reports, and support senior researchers using tools like statistical software. Attention to detail and strong organizational skills are essential for this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Researcher jobs in Indiana?

The most popular types of Researcher jobs in Indiana are:

What cities in Indiana are hiring for Junior Researcher jobs?

Cities in Indiana with the most Junior Researcher job openings:

Infographic showing various Junior Researcher job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,859 per year, or $26.4 per hour.

Postdoctoral Researcher - Quantum and Classical Dynamics of Decision Making

Bloomington, IN • On-site

$60K/yr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Posting Details
Position Details
Title
Postdoctoral Researcher - Quantum and Classical Dynamics of Decision Making
Appointment Status
Non-Tenure Track
Department
IU Bloomington Psychological & Brain Sciences
Location
Bloomington
Position Summary
Position Overview
The Postdoctoral Researcher will join an NSF-funded project developing and testing computational models of how decisions evolve over time. The project integrates quantum and classical (Markov) approaches within an open-systems framework to investigate when decision dynamics exhibit interference, coherence, decoherence, and more classical stochastic accumulation. The position will be jointly mentored by Dr. Tim Pleskac and Dr. Jerome Busemeyer, with the postdoc taking a leading role in theory development, computational modeling, and experimental tests of the models.
The position is based at Indiana University Bloomington, with opportunities to collaborate across IU's strong communities in mathematical psychology, judgment and decision making, cognitive science, and quantitative modeling.
This postdoctoral appointment is full-time and on-campus.
Job Duties
80% - Research
  • Develop computational models of dynamic judgment and decision making using quantum probability, open-system dynamics, and classical Markov processes.
  • Derive and test behavioral predictions that distinguish quantum, classical, and intermediate open-system dynamics, including predictions about the time course of evidence and preference evolution.
  • Design and analyze behavioral experiments that probe dynamic decision processes, including interference, oscillation, response-time, and evidence-accumulation phenomena.
  • Implement simulation, parameter-estimation, and model-comparison methods in Python, MATLAB, R, or related computational environments.
  • Lead and co-author manuscripts, conference presentations, and other dissemination of project findings.

10% - Project Management
  • Work directly with the PIs to ensure efficient progress toward project objectives.
  • Coordinate research tasks across graduate students, undergraduate research assistants, and collaborating researchers.
  • Maintain reproducible modeling, simulation, data-analysis, and documentation workflows.

10% - Other Duties
  • Participate in lab meetings, mentoring of junior researchers, grant-related activities, and other project duties as needed.

Work Environment
The postdoc will be embedded in the rich cognitive and mathematical psychology research communities at Indiana University. The researcher will work closely with Drs. Pleskac and Busemeyer and benefit from Indiana University's long-standing strengths in mathematical psychology, decision science, and quantum cognition.
Appointment Details
  • Anticipated Start Date: January 1, 2027 (negotiable)
  • Salary: $60,000 + benefits
  • Work Schedule: Full-time, on-campus
  • Supervisors: Dr. Tim Pleskac and Dr. Jerome Busemeyer
  • Initial Appointment: 1 year, with expectation of renewal for a second year based on performance and funding

Basic Qualifications
Required Qualifications
  • Ph.D. preferably in Psychology or Cognitive Science, but we will also consider strong candidates in Computer Science, Physics, or a related quantitative fields by the start date.
  • Demonstrated expertise in mathematical or computational modeling and dynamical systems.
  • Proficiency in either Python, MATLAB, R, or a comparable scientific programming environment.
  • Strong quantitative, analytic, and scientific writing skills.

Department Contact for Questions
Questions may be sent to: Dr. Tim Pleskac (tpleskac@iu.edu)
Additional Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience or strong interest in quantum cognition.
  • Background in stochastic processes, Markov models, dynamical systems, quantum walks, or related mathematical approaches.
  • Experience with computational model fitting, Bayesian inference, simulation, or formal model comparison.
  • Experience designing or analyzing experiments in judgment and decision making, evidence accumulation, or response-time dynamics.
  • Ability to move between mathematical theory, computational implementation, and empirical testing.
  • Interest in interdisciplinary work at the intersection of cognitive science, mathematical psychology, decision theory, and quantum-inspired modeling.

Salary and Rank
Special Instructions
Application Instructions
Interested individuals should apply at https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/34275.
A complete application includes:
1. Cover letter describing research interests and fit for the position
2. Curriculum vitae
3. A professional writing sample (e.g., publication or dissertation chapter)
4. Names and contact information for three references
Applications received by the Best Consideration Date will receive full consideration; however, the search will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.
For Best Consideration Date
10/12/2026
Expected Start Date
01/01/2027
Posting Number
IU-101666-2026