1

Phd Student Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$70 - $90/hr

Cobalt PhD Position Posted Aug 2026 About this position About the role: Cobalt is seeking PhD-qualified machine learning researchers with direct experience designing, running, and evaluating original ...

Posted today

next page

Showing results 1-20

Phd Student information

See salary details

$8

$14

$16

How much do phd student jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for phd student in the United States is $14.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.46 and $15.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a PhD student?

PhD students are individuals enrolled in a doctoral program, usually at a university, with the goal of earning a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. They typically engage in advanced academic coursework, conduct original research in their chosen field, and write a dissertation based on their findings. PhD students often work closely with faculty advisors, participate in academic conferences, and may also teach undergraduate courses or assist with research projects. The process helps them develop expertise and contribute new knowledge to their discipline.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PhD student, and why are they important?

To thrive as a PhD student, you need strong research skills, critical thinking, and a solid academic background typically demonstrated by a relevant master's or bachelor's degree. Familiarity with data analysis software, academic databases, and citation management tools is often required, along with knowledge of discipline-specific methodologies. Self-motivation, resilience, effective time management, and strong written and verbal communication are essential soft skills for navigating the demands of independent research and collaboration. These skills and qualities are vital for producing original scholarly work, meeting program milestones, and contributing meaningfully to your academic field.

What are some common challenges PhD students face during their research, and how can they be managed?

PhD students often encounter challenges such as managing time effectively between research, coursework, and teaching responsibilities, as well as coping with uncertainty or setbacks in their research progress. Navigating these can feel overwhelming, but effective planning, regular communication with supervisors, and seeking support from peers or university resources can make a significant difference. Many students also benefit from setting clear milestones and maintaining a healthy work-life balance to prevent burnout. Proactively addressing these challenges helps ensure steady progress and a more positive doctoral experience.

What do PhD students get paid?

PhD students are typically paid through stipends, research assistantships, or teaching assistantships, which often cover living expenses and vary by institution and field. In the United States, stipends generally range from $15,000 to $35,000 per year, with some programs offering additional benefits like health insurance. Payment structures depend on funding sources and program requirements, and students often work part-time as part of their academic responsibilities.

What jobs can a Phd Student do?

A PhD student can pursue a variety of roles including research scientist, university professor, data analyst, policy analyst, or industry researcher, depending on their field of study. They often utilize advanced research skills, critical thinking, and specialized knowledge, and may work in academia, government, or private sectors. Some roles may require additional certifications or experience in project management or specific tools.
More about Phd Student jobs

What cities are hiring for Phd Student jobs?

Cities with the most Phd Student job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Phd Student jobs?

The most popular types of Phd Student jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Phd Student jobs?

The top employers for Phd Student jobs are:

What states have the most Phd Student jobs?

States with the most job openings for Phd Student jobs include:

Infographic showing various Phd Student job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 58% Full Time, 37% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $29,554 per year, or $14.2 per hour.

Researcher PHD Student

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 4 days ago


San Diego State University rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

390th of 629 rated colleges and universities


Job description

# Yifan Zhang


**Assistant Professor, San Diego State University**


**Website:** [1phan.com](https://1phan.com)  

**Location:** San Diego, CA  

**[Cybersecurity Center](https://cyber.sdsu.edu/) @ [SDSU](https://www.sdsu.edu/)**


*I am recruiting motivated PhD students in systems security and privacy.*


---


## Research Directions


My research focuses on system security and privacy, with an emphasis on identifying new attack vectors, building automated binary-analysis tools, and conducting large-scale real-world measurement. Current ongoing projects include:


- **Software Supply Chain Security & Privacy**

- **Mobile & IoT Systems Security**

- **Cybercrime**


I emphasize **analysis methods for systems security**; application scenarios are not restricted.


### How We Work


We find new types of attacks and forms of exploitation in current systems, then combine reverse engineering with static & dynamic program analysis, leveraging formal verification and AI where necessary to detect, measure, and mitigate novel security & privacy vulnerabilities.


## What I Look For in a PhD Student


- **Deep curiosity** about real systems and willingness to dissect complex software stacks.

- **Strong systems skills:** confident with Linux, scripting, and debugging; comfortable reading specs and source.

- **Program analysis:** experience/interest in reverse engineering, static and dynamic analysis (e.g., program slicing, taint flow analysis, fuzzing), and formal methods.

- **Solid coding ability:** able to build research prototypes and measurement pipelines.

- **Team fit:** collaborative, respectful, and proactive; excited to publish in top security venues.


## About SDSU


San Diego State University (SDSU) is a major public research university in Southern California and an **R1 university** (Very High Research Activity).


## PhD Program & Admission


Students join my lab through the [SDSU–UCI Joint PhD Program in Computational Science](https://www.csrc.sdsu.edu/ph-d-program/).


Applicants should meet the program requirements, including:


- **Degree:** Bachelor's degree in a STEM field.

- **GPA:** Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and 3.5 GPA in any prior graduate coursework.


## Interested in Joining?


If you are excited about **systems security and privacy** and believe you may be a good fit, please prepare:


- A brief statement describing your research interests and any relevant past projects.

- A CV or résumé with links to code or artifacts.

- A link to any open-source contributions or technical write-ups you are proud of.


**Email subject template:**


`[SDSU Security PhD] Your Name --- [Brief Research Interest]`


---


  • **More:** [https://1phan.com](https://1phan.com) | [Cybersecurity Center](https://cyber.sdsu.edu/) @ [SDSU](https://www.sdsu.edu/)

What San Diego State University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom