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Nsf Postdoctoral Fellowship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The candidate, one of six new postdoctoral fellows to be hired within the newly NSF-funded COMPASS Center, will have the opportunity to collaborate with other scientists within the center to tackle ...

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Nsf Postdoctoral Fellowship information

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$25K

$59K

$83.5K

How much do nsf postdoctoral fellowship jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for nsf postdoctoral fellowship in the United States is $59,022.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $66,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, and why are they important?

To thrive as an NSF Postdoctoral Fellow, you need a strong research background with a relevant PhD, a demonstrated record of scholarly achievement, and a well-developed research proposal. Familiarity with advanced data analysis tools, laboratory techniques, and grant management systems is often required. Excellent written and verbal communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills help fellows build networks and share findings effectively. These skills and qualities are crucial for advancing independent research, securing future funding, and contributing to the scientific community.

What is the difference between Nsf Postdoctoral Fellowship vs Postdoctoral Research Associate?

AspectNsf Postdoctoral FellowshipPostdoctoral Research Associate
CredentialsPhD in relevant field, strong research backgroundPhD in relevant field, research experience
Work EnvironmentIndependent research, mentorship, grant managementResearch projects under supervision, lab work
Employer & IndustryNational Science Foundation, academia, research institutionsUniversities, research labs, academic institutions

The Nsf Postdoctoral Fellowship is a competitive grant supporting independent research, often with a focus on developing future leaders. In contrast, a Postdoctoral Research Associate typically works under a supervisor on specific projects. While both require a PhD and research experience, the fellowship emphasizes independence and funding acquisition, whereas the associate role centers on contributing to ongoing research.

What are some common challenges faced by NSF Postdoctoral Fellows during their fellowship period?

NSF Postdoctoral Fellows often encounter the challenge of balancing independent research with mentorship responsibilities and grant reporting requirements. Fellows are expected to develop their own research while collaborating with their host institution, which can require strong time management and communication skills. Navigating the transition from graduate student to independent researcher, including establishing a professional network and publishing original work, is another common hurdle. However, these challenges also provide valuable experience that prepares fellows for future academic or research-focused career paths.

What is an NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship?

An NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship is a prestigious award offered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support early-career scientists and engineers after they complete their doctoral studies. The fellowship provides funding for postdoctoral research and professional development, allowing recipients to pursue independent research projects at institutions of their choice. Fellows receive stipends, research allowances, and opportunities for mentorship, helping them to advance their careers and contribute to their fields. Eligibility, application procedures, and specific benefits vary by program within NSF, such as the Mathematical Sciences or Biology directorates.
More about Nsf Postdoctoral Fellowship jobs
What states have the most Nsf Postdoctoral Fellowship jobs? States with the most job openings for Nsf Postdoctoral Fellowship jobs include:
Infographic showing various Nsf Postdoctoral Fellowship job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,022 per year, or $28.4 per hour.

IFML Postdoctoral Fellowship

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • On-site

$48K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


University Of Texas at Austin rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

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Job description

Description
The NSF AI Institute for Foundations of Machine Learning (IFML), and the NSF TRIPODS program at the University of Texas seek highly qualified candidates (within five years of the award of their PhD) for a new UT ML Research Fellow Program. Appointments will begin Summer or Fall 2024.
This multi-year program will host several postdoctoral researchers working on either:
(a) foundational problems in machine learning, optimization, and statistics and their relationship to algorithmic and methodological improvements for training and deploying ML models or
(b) problems that advance the state of the art in central use-cases of large scale ML: video, imaging, and navigation or some combination of the above topics or
(c) deep learning and protein biologics, especially protein engineering and applications of large-scale tools such as AlphaFold (we encourage candidates with PhDs in biology, chemistry, biochemistry or related fields with a background in computation to apply).
Descriptions of the scientific agendas of IFML and TRIPODS can be found at ifml.institute and ml.utexas.edu/tripods respectively.
A description of the IFML scientific agenda can be found at ifml.institute.
Fellows will be able to collaborate with numerous researchers and faculty involved in IFML partner institutions: the Machine Learning Lab at UT Austin, the University of Washington, Microsoft Research (Redmond), and Wichita State University. Fellows will play a leading role in organizing seminars, workshops and other research activities. The anticipated term for a fellowship is one or two years - to be decided at the time of appointment, with the possibility of extension based on mutual agreement. In addition to competitive salary and benefits, the fellowship also includes funding for independent travel to workshops, conferences and other universities and research labs.
Simultaneous applications for a joint Simons-UT ML Research Fellowship are possible! Please indicate a simultaneous application in your materials.
Application Instructions
Submission requirements: a CV, research statement, and two reference letters. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.

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