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DataAnnotation

$40/hr

A leading data annotation company is seeking a Postdoctoral Physics Research Associate for a remote, contract role. The candidate will be responsible for training AI models by evaluating their ...

The Pennsylvania State University

POSITION SPECIFICS The Department of Physics at The Pennsylvania State University invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar position in Condensed Matter Physics. The successful candidate will ...

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How much do physics postdoc jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for physics postdoc in the United States is $20.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.50 and $25.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Physics Postdoc, you need a PhD in physics or a related field, strong analytical and research skills, and expertise in your area of study. Familiarity with advanced simulation software, programming languages (such as Python or MATLAB), and experience with laboratory equipment or data analysis tools are often required. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective collaboration and communication skills help you contribute to research teams and share findings. These skills are essential for advancing scientific knowledge, publishing impactful research, and succeeding in highly competitive academic or research environments.

What are some common challenges faced by Physics Postdocs when transitioning to independent research?

Physics Postdocs often encounter challenges such as securing funding for independent projects, balancing research with teaching or mentoring duties, and building a professional network. Navigating the shift from working under a principal investigator to developing their own research agenda requires strong grant writing and project management skills. Collaborating effectively with interdisciplinary teams and maintaining work-life balance are also important considerations during this stage of career development.

What is a Physics Postdoc?

A Physics Postdoc, or postdoctoral researcher in physics, is an individual who has completed their Ph.D. in physics and is engaged in further research, typically at a university or research institute. Postdocs work under the supervision of a principal investigator and contribute to ongoing projects, often publishing their findings in scientific journals. The role is intended to provide advanced training and experience, preparing postdocs for independent research careers, academia, or industry positions. Physics postdoc positions are usually temporary, lasting from one to three years.

What is the difference between Physics Postdoc vs Physics Research Scientist?

AspectPhysics PostdocPhysics Research Scientist
Required CredentialsPhD in Physics or related fieldPhD in Physics or related field
Work EnvironmentAcademic labs, universities, research institutionsResearch labs, industry, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily academia and research institutionsIndustry, government, private sector
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Physics Postdocs are typically early-career researchers working in academic or research settings, focusing on gaining experience and publishing. Physics Research Scientists often hold more permanent roles in industry or government labs, with broader responsibilities and less emphasis on training. While both roles require a PhD in Physics, their work environments and career paths differ significantly.

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What job categories do people searching Physics Postdoc jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Physics Postdoc jobs are:
Physics Postdoc jobs near you
Infographic showing various Physics Postdoc job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 10% Physical, 10% Hybrid, and 80% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,731 per year, or $20.1 per hour.
Experimental Nuclear Physics Postdoc

Experimental Nuclear Physics Postdoc

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos, NM • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

Los Alamos National Laboratory rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 32 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 103 rated laboratories

Job description

Description
Job Title Experimental Nuclear Physics Postdoc
Location Los Alamos, NM, US
Organization Name P-3 / NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE PHYSICS AND APPLICATIONS
Minimum Salary
Maximum Salary
What You Will Do
The low-energy nuclear physics team (P-3) in LANL's Physics Division is looking for two or more postdoctoral researchers to work on direct and indirect measurements of neutron-induced reactions. The successful candidate will perform measurements, analysis, and/or development with the suite of instruments located at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). The instruments include the Detector for Advanced Neutron Capture Experiments (DANCE) , the Low-Energy (n,Z) (LENZ) Instrument , the Chi-Nu Prompt Fission Neutron Instrument , the Correlated Gamma-Neutron Array for sCattering (CoGNAC), the Spatially REsolved Fission Tracker and TPC (SREFT), the SPecrometer for Ion DEtermination Research (SPIDER) , and the Device for Indirect Capture Experiments on Radionuclides (DICER) , which all take advantage of the unique time-of-flight neutron beams available at LANSCE. These neutron beams are produced via spallation and cover a broad range of incident neutron energies from sub-thermal to 800 MeV. New capabilities being developed include a novel Neutron Target Facility for measuring neutron-induced reactions in inverse kinematics, and current opportunities available to work on the ongoing Neutron Target Demonstrator and ASTRA facility. Outside Los Alamos, experimental campaigns are also performed using charged particle beams at various university based, or national laboratory based accelerator facilities.
Research areas in the group include studies of nuclear astrophysics (s-process, r-process, heavy element synthesis), nuclear structure (gamma-ray spectroscopy, level density, photon strength function), nuclear reactions, and studies of the fission process. The group is tightly coupled to the LANL Theory Division; nuclear physics and astrophysics theory groups as well as rad-hydro modeling teams in nuclear applications groups.
A broad range of expertise and background is desired in the team, and there are multiple distinct projects that a successful candidate could pursue within the research disciplines of the team. Opportunities for collaboration outside of P-3 include, for example, working with nuclear engineers on applications of spallation physics, with radiochemists on radioactive target fabrication, or with a variety of groups developing simulations for real-world applications.
Highly qualified applicants will be considered for Director's or Agnew National Security Postdoctoral Fellowships with exceptional candidates being considered for the prestigious Marie Curie, Richard P. Feynman, J. Robert Oppenheimer, or Frederick Reines Fellowships.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Required Skills:
  • Ph.D. in a relevant area of nuclear physics, particle physics, astrophysics, nuclear engineering, or related areas
  • Ability to carry out independent and collaborative research
  • Ability to communicate both technically and interpersonally both, orally and in writing

Desired Qualifications:
(We include a broad range of skills, any of which we would request be noted in the cover letter. There is no expectation that a candidate has all, or even more than one of these skills)
  • Experience in particle or gamma-ray detector development and/or implementation
  • Experience with Monte Carlo based particle/gamma-ray simulation tools
  • Experience with nuclear reaction models
  • Experience with detector electronic hardware and/or data acquisition design and development
  • Experience with numerical methods or computational physics
  • Familiarity or expertise with the UNIX/Linux operating systems and or scripting languages such as Python
  • Familiarity and or expertise with machine learning approaches
Education
A Ph.D. in Physics or a related field completed within the last five years or soon to be completed is required. Exceptions can be made to the five-year time-frame-please inquire if this is relevant.
Work Environment:
Work Location : The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Note to Applicants:
  • Please send any questions for details or information to Sean Kuvin, who is co-chairing the search committee.
  • In addition to applying online, please send a curriculum vitae, a cover letter summarizing relevant qualifications, research, and career goals, and arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to kuvin@lanl.gov.
  • Candidates may be considered for a Director's Fellowship and outstanding candidates may be considered for the prestigious Marie Curie, Richard P. Feynman, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Frederick Reines or Harold Agnew Fellowships.
  • General information on the LANL Postdoc Program and postdoctoral salaries is available.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
  • PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
  • Dental and vision insurance
  • Free basic life and disability insurance
  • Paid childbirth and parental leave
  • Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
  • Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
  • Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
  • Onsite gyms and wellness programs
  • Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2 . Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
Instructions on How to Activate/Create a LANL Jobs Account:
Follow the instructions below if you have ever had an employee Z number, been a contractor, or received Los Alamos Lab insurance coverage to activate your account:
  • Select the Click Here button if you have been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage .
  • Please enter only your first and last name and current email address (an email with your validation code will be sent to you) to activate the account currently in our system.
  • Enter your validation code as described in the email you receive and complete the 3-page registration form. Your account is now active, and you can apply for jobs or save to your basket. Important : Enter the validation code within 15 days to activate your account or your account will be deactivated.

Follow the instructions below if you if you have never been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage to create an account:
  • Select the Register button if you have never been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage to Create an Account.
  • From here, you will establish an account with username and password.

How to Apply: Login to Your Account to Complete the Application Process
  • Click the Vacancy Name number (in blue) to view any job's details.
  • Click Apply or Add to Basket to apply later. Tip : To apply for a job or save your basket, you must have a LANL jobs account.

If you experience any technical issues, please email applyhelp@lanl.gov for assistance.
Employment Status Full Time
Appointment Type Postdoc
Postdoc

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