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National Lab Postdoc Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Post-Doctoral Fellow

Aurora, CO · On-site

$49K - $67K/yr

Nature of Work The Fernandez-Marino lab is seeking to hire a postdoctoral fellow. The position will ... Oral and written communication of completed work at national or international meetings. * Create ...

Post-Doctoral Fellow

Aurora, CO · On-site

$49K - $67K/yr

Nature of Work The Fernández-Mariño lab is seeking to hire a postdoctoral fellow. The position ... Oral and written communication of completed work at national or international meetings. * Create ...

Post-Doctoral Fellow

Aurora, CO · On-site

$49K - $67K/yr

Yen-Rei Yu. The postdoctoral fellow will be working in the area of immunology and pulmonary ... Present results at lab meetings, project meetings, (inter)national meetings, etc * Write and public ...

Post-Doctoral Fellow

Aurora, CO · On-site

$49K - $67K/yr

Yen-Rei Yu. The postdoctoral fellow will be working in the area of immunology and pulmonary ... Present results at lab meetings, project meetings, (inter)national meetings, etc * Write and public ...

Post-Doctoral Associate

Boulder, CO · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Job Summary The Walczak Lab is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Associate to support ongoing ... Nationally recognized and consistently ranked among the top programs in the country, our department ...

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National Lab Postdoc information

What is a National Lab postdoc?

A National Lab Postdoc is a researcher who has recently completed their Ph.D. and is undertaking postdoctoral research at a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratory or similar federally funded research facility. These positions are typically temporary and provide early-career scientists with opportunities to deepen their expertise, work on cutting-edge projects, and collaborate with leading experts in the field. National Lab Postdocs often work on interdisciplinary teams and have access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources, making these roles highly sought after for those pursuing careers in research or academia.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a National Lab postdoc?

To thrive as a National Lab Postdoc, you need a Ph.D. in a relevant scientific or engineering field, a strong research background, and expertise in experimental or computational methods. Familiarity with specialized laboratory equipment, data analysis software, and scientific publishing platforms is typically required. Critical thinking, collaboration, and effective communication are essential soft skills for advancing research projects and sharing results. These skills and qualifications are vital for driving innovation, meeting research goals, and contributing to high-impact scientific discoveries in a collaborative environment.

What are some common challenges faced by National Lab postdocs, and how can they be addressed?

National Lab Postdocs often encounter challenges such as balancing independent research with collaborative projects, adapting to the unique mission-driven environment of national laboratories, and managing time between research, publishing, and networking. To address these, it's helpful to set clear project goals with mentors, actively seek interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities, and participate in lab-wide seminars or workshops. Many labs also offer mentorship programs and professional development resources to support postdocs in overcoming these challenges and advancing their careers.

What is the difference between National Lab Postdoc vs Research Scientist?

AspectNational Lab PostdocResearch Scientist
Required credentialsPhD in relevant fieldPhD or equivalent experience
Work environmentResearch-focused, academic setting within national labsResearch and development in industry or academia
Employer and industry usagePrimarily government-funded national labsPrivate companies, universities, or government agencies
Common search intentPostdoctoral research opportunities at national labsResearch roles in industry or academia

National Lab Postdocs are typically early-career researchers with a PhD working in government-funded labs, focusing on fundamental research. Research Scientists often have similar credentials but work in industry or academia, with more independence and potential for career advancement. Both roles involve research but differ mainly in employer and work environment.

What cities in Colorado are hiring for National Lab Postdoc jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most National Lab Postdoc job openings:

Infographic showing various National Lab Postdoc job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

Postdoctoral Fellows - Open Pool

Fort Collins, CO • On-site

Colorado State University
Education • 5 - 10K employees

$35K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Contribute to ongoing research activities specific to each faculty lab, which may include laboratory, field, or computational research activities.

  • Collect, manage, and analyze research data, and assist with experimental design and protocol implementation.

  • Maintain laboratory equipment, materials, and documentation, and contribute to manuscripts, reports, and presentations.


Colorado State University rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 50 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Job DescriptionPosition Summary:

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Colorado State University seeks applications for temporary Postdoctoral Fellows who are interested in obtaining postdoctoral research experience in the areas of Gene Expression, Cellular Biochemistry and Structural Biology. Applicants should identify a faculty member of interest for collaboration.

Postdoctoral Fellows work under the direction of individual faculty members and contribute to ongoing research activities specific to each lab. Duties, funding source, appointment length, and work modality (in-person, hybrid, or remote) vary by faculty lab. Annual terms and reappointment may depend on performance and/or the continued availability of funding.

Detailed descriptions of faculty research programs are available on the department website: https://www.bmb.colostate.edu/

The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date; theDepartment has limited funds and maynot sponsor a new H1B visa for this position.

Salary Range:

$35,000 - $80,000

Essential Job Duties:

Essential job duties vary depending on the hiring laboratory and research program, but may include:

  • Conducting laboratory, field, or computational research activities.

  • Collecting, managing, and analyzing research data.

  • Assisting with experimental design and protocol implementation.

  • Maintaining laboratory equipment, materials, and documentation.

  • Contributing to manuscripts, reports, and presentations.

  • Collaborating with faculty, staff, graduate students, and other research personnel.

Specific duties will be defined at the time of hire by the supervising faculty member.

Conditions of Employment:

Pre-employment criminal background check (required for new hires).

Supervision:

This position reports to a faculty member within the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Day-to-day supervision and expectations are defined by the hiring laboratory.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Ph.D. degree in a discipline relevant to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology by the start date.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred qualifications vary by laboratory and may include:

  • Prior research experience in a relevant discipline.

  • Experience with laboratory, field, or computational research methods.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research environment.

  • Experience with data analysis, scientific writing, or specialized research techniques relevant to the hiring lab.

Application Instructions:

To apply, submit a cover letter indicating a faculty member of interest for collaboration, and a current resume or CV. Please note there will be one area on the application to submit these required documents.

This is an evergreen posting. Applications will be reviewed as hiring needs arise, and qualified applicants may be contacted by individual faculty members if a suitable opportunity becomes available.

References may be conducted later in the hiring process, and will not be contacted without prior notification of applicants. This pool will expire on February 28, 2027. Applicants wishing to be considered beyond this date must reapply.

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance,CSUis where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

  • Review our detailed benefits information here.

  • Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

  • For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

  • Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations,CSUconducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.


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About Colorado State University

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Colorado State University is one of the nation’s top public Tier 1 Research universities and an institution on the rise. Our Ram success is driven by an ambition to be excellent in all we do combined with an unparalleled location that is one of the fastest-growing and most vibrant areas in the country. CSU is a higher education destination for working and learning for faculty, staff, and students from across Colorado, the nation, and around the globe. CSU has produced record enrollment in the past decade, built on all-time highs in student diversity and student success, experienced record fundraising and research expenditures that keep hitting new highs year-after-year, and our faculty are known nationally and internationally for their groundbreaking research. Among other recognition for research and creative scholarship, CSU was recognized in 2022 as one of 10 top research institutions in the world contributing to solving the COVID pandemic. CSU is thriving, with a five-year average enrollment of more than 33,400 students. The record-setting 2022 incoming class of 5,517 students reflects 25% from diverse populations and 24% who were first in their families to attend college. CSU graduates find success with 85% securing a job related to their career plans within six months of graduation. More than nine out of 10 Rams would select CSU again, demonstrating the quality of the campus and learning environments.

Industry

Education

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Fort Collins, CO, US

Year founded

1870

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