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Material Science Postdoc Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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How much do material science postdoc jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for material science postdoc in California is $70,535.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,700.00 and $82,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of research projects can a material science postdoc expect to work on, and how much independence is typically given?

As a Material Science Postdoc, you may be involved in projects ranging from developing novel materials and investigating their structural properties to collaborating on interdisciplinary applications such as energy storage, biomaterials, or nanotechnology. Postdocs often work under the supervision of a principal investigator but may also lead sub-projects, train students, and contribute fresh ideas to ongoing research. The level of independence varies by institution and funding source, but you can generally expect to design experiments, analyze results, and share findings at lab meetings and conferences. This balance of guidance and autonomy is designed to help you grow your skills while making meaningful contributions to the group’s scientific goals.

What is a material science postdoc?

A Material Science Postdoc is a temporary research position for Ph.D. graduates specializing in materials science and engineering. Postdocs work on advanced research projects, often in academic, government, or industrial labs, to develop new materials, improve existing ones, or study their properties. They collaborate with senior scientists, publish findings, and may mentor students. The role helps build expertise and prepares researchers for careers in academia, industry, or government research.

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

To thrive as a Material Science Postdoc, you need a Ph.D. in materials science, chemistry, physics, or a related field, with deep expertise in experimental design, data analysis, and materials characterization. Familiarity with advanced characterization tools (such as SEM, TEM, XRD) and data analysis software, along with strong scientific writing and publication experience, is often required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, strong communication skills, and the capacity to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams are valuable soft skills. These qualifications ensure the ability to conduct rigorous research, contribute to publications, and work effectively in a fast-paced academic or industrial research environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Material Science Postdoc jobs in California? The most popular types of Material Science Postdoc jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Material Science Postdoc jobs in California? For Material Science Postdoc jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Material Science Postdoc jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Material Science Postdoc jobs in California are:
Material Science Postdoc jobs near you
Infographic showing various Material Science Postdoc job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 84% In-person, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $70,535 per year, or $33.9 per hour.

Postdoctoral Scholar in Intensity Interferometry

Carnegie Science

Pasadena, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Description
Carnegie Science invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar to work with Nick Konidaris on the Sephira Intensity Interferometer Array. Sephira is a new telescope and intensity-interferometry array being built at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. Sephira will be used as a testbed; our initial science goals include studying binary stars.
We are looking for a scientist-builder who wants to help define what intensity interferometry can become. Relevant experience or interests may include optical instrumentation, SPAD arrays and photon-counting detectors, digital correlation, signal processing, image reconstruction, or astronomical applications of intensity interferometry. Prior experience with intensity interferometry is not required.
The successful candidate will have substantial freedom to pursue fundamental research involving the hardware, software, methodology, or scientific uses of intensity interferometry. Our team is small right now, giving the postdoctoral scholar opportunities to develop new capabilities and take ownership of major parts of the effort. Our team is also working on new infrared spectrographs (Henrietta and MIRMOS), and we welcome ways to couple those instruments to the Sephira array.
Start Date/Duration
  • We prefer to start as soon as possible. We anticipate conducting a separate search for an additional postdoctoral scholar beginning in early 2027.
  • The position includes two years of guaranteed funding, with the possibility of renewal for a third year.
Research Environment
The postdoctoral scholar will have access to a broad range of Carnegie resources, including the Swope and Magellan telescopes, SDSS-V data and collaborations, high-performance computing, and a dedicated research budget. The scholar may also spend substantial time at the Weizmann Institute and participate fully in the research community there.
Qualifications
Applicants should hold, or expect to receive before beginning the appointment, a Ph.D. in astrophysics, physics, engineering, or a closely related field.
Application Instructions
Intensity interferometry remains a specialized field, and we do not expect every applicant to arrive with all of the relevant skills. We welcome applicants entering from adjacent areas of astronomy, physics, engineering, computation, or instrumentation. Candidates making such a transition should use their cover letter to explain what draws them to the field and how their existing experience could contribute to the project.
Please submit:
  • A cover letter
  • A statement of research interests
  • A curriculum vitae
  • The names and email addresses of potential references

References will be contacted only after an initial review of the application materials.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Carnegie Institution for Science has a long-standing commitment to equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment. All applicants will receive consideration of employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

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