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Material Science Postdoc Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Pennsylvania State University

POSITION SPECIFICS The Materials Science and Engineering Department, within the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar to perform research under the ...

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How much do material science postdoc jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for material science postdoc in the United States is $71,470.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,500.00 and $84,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Material Science Postdoc job?

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 in the Material Science Postdoc position, and why are they important?

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.
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What cities are hiring for Material Science Postdoc jobs? Cities with the most Material Science Postdoc job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Material Science Postdoc jobs? The most popular types of Material Science Postdoc jobs are:
What states have the most Material Science Postdoc jobs? States with the most job openings for Material Science Postdoc jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Material Science Postdoc jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Material Science Postdoc jobs are:
Material Science Postdoc jobs near you
Infographic showing various Material Science Postdoc job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,470 per year, or $34.4 per hour.

Postdoctoral Scholar - Beese Group - Materials Science and Engineering

Penn State University

University Park, PA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Penn State University rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 98 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

146th of 528 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 Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences is searching for a dynamic candidate for the position of Postdoctoral Scholar.
The successful candidate will:
  • Perform experimental and computational studies of materials, including design of experimental characterization setups, mechanics of materials, and thermodymanics/kinetics of new alloys.
  • Lead manuscript preparation and project reporting.

The candidate must have a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering. They must also have experience in mechanics of materials, computational modeling, and experimental characterization of materials.
Please include a cover letter and CV with application.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
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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