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Material Science Postdoc Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Material Science Postdoc information

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$36.6K

$73.6K

$96.3K

How much do material science postdoc jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for material science postdoc in Chicago, IL is $73,625.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,400.00 and $86,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Material Science Postdoc jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Material Science Postdoc jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Material Science Postdoc jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Material Science Postdoc jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Material Science Postdoc job openings in Chicago, IL 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 $73,625 per year, or $35.4 per hour.

Postdoctoral Appointee - Bioimaging

Argonne National Laboratory

Lemont, IL • On-site

$72K - $121K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

The Microscopy group in X-ray Science Division of Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory lead pioneering efforts in developing cutting edge X-ray instrumentation and techniques, enabling multimodal in-situ investigation in areas of physics, chemistry, life and material sciences. We are seeking to fill a Postdoctoral Appointee position to support instrumentation development for X-ray fluorescence tomography at beamline 2-ID-E and 2-ID-D with focus on bioimaging of soil aggregates, as well as computational framework for modeling and reconstruction of related 3D datasets.
The successful candidate will develop a novel multiscale multimodal experimental apparatus with precise control during data acquisition, as well as work on data processing pipeline, adaptable to imaging of energy-conversion or biological systems. The candidate will work in a multidisciplinary team, including physicists, biologists, and engineers, and will lead the effort in multimodal data analysis at the APS beamlines. May be required to perform other duties as assigned.
Position Requirements
  • Ph.D. completed in the past 5 years or soon-to-be completed in physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, or a related discipline.
  • The ability to conduct independent research such as designing experiments and addressing fundamental and/or applied scientific questions.
  • Good collaboration skills and be able to work in a team environment.
  • Demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Experience in studying geological or biological systems, and tomography are beneficial.
  • Programming expertise in Python or other scientific programming languages is a plus.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Experience with automation, control, and instrument infrastructure.
  • Ability to model Argonne's core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

Job Family
Postdoctoral
Job Profile
Postdoctoral Appointee
Worker Type
Long-Term (Fixed Term)
Time Type
Full time
The 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.