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Postdoc Associate Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

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 projects in stem cell biology and neurodegenerative disease modeling. Our lab investigates the molecular ...

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Postdoc Associate information

See Colorado salary details

$11

$20

$34

How much do postdoc associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for postdoc associate in Colorado is $20.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.67 and $21.73 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between postdoc associate and postdoc fellow?

A postdoc associate is typically a researcher hired to work on specific projects under a supervisor, often with a fixed-term appointment and clear responsibilities. A postdoc fellow usually holds a fellowship or grant-funded position, granting more independence in choosing research topics and often involving competitive application processes. Both roles involve advanced research training, but fellows generally have more autonomy and may have different funding sources or eligibility criteria.

What does a post-doctoral associate do?

A post-doctoral associate conducts advanced research in a specific field, often working under the supervision of a principal investigator. They design experiments, analyze data, publish findings, and may mentor graduate students, typically requiring a doctoral degree and familiarity with laboratory tools or research methodologies.

What is the difference between Postdoc Associate vs Research Scientist?

AspectPostdoc AssociateResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsDoctoral degree (Ph.D.) in relevant fieldMaster's or Ph.D., often with more industry experience
Work EnvironmentAcademic or research institutions, labsIndustry, corporate R&D labs, biotech firms
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, government research agenciesPrivate companies, biotech, pharmaceuticals
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Postdoc Associate and a Research Scientist lies in their work environment and career stage. Postdoc Associates typically work in academic or research institutions focusing on research and publishing, often as a stepping stone to faculty roles. Research Scientists usually work in industry settings, applying research to product development or innovation, often with more experience and responsibilities.

How much do postdoctoral associates make in the US?

Postdoctoral associates in the US typically earn an annual salary ranging from $45,000 to $65,000, depending on the field, experience, and location. Many positions also include benefits such as health insurance and research funding support.

What is the postdoc trap?

The postdoc trap refers to the cycle where early-career postdoctoral researchers remain in temporary positions for extended periods without clear pathways to permanent academic or industry roles, often due to limited funding, job scarcity, or the expectation of multiple postdoc appointments. This can lead to job insecurity and delayed career advancement for postdoc associates. Understanding career planning and diversifying skills can help avoid this trap.
Postdoctoral Associate - Neutrino Physics

Postdoctoral Associate - Neutrino Physics

University of Colorado

Boulder, CO • On-site

$62K - $66K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago


University Of Colorado Boulder rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 37 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

150th of 538 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Job Summary
The Experimental High Energy Physics Group at the University of Colorado at Boulder invites applications for a Postdoctoral Associate position to work in the neutrino physics group. The neutrino group at the University of Colorado is very active in the DUNE, NA61/SHINE, T2K, and Eos collaborations. The successful candidate will be expected to play a leading role in detector prototyping, commissioning, and data analysis for the DUNE Near Detectors and/or the NA61/SHINE experiment. This position will be based in Boulder, but the applicant must be able to travel to US laboratories and CERN periodically.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
College of Arts and Sciences - The College is the intellectual core of the university, conducting research, scholarship, creative work and education in more than 60 fields. Our research generates new knowledge, addressed toward solving some of the world's most critical problems. The college leads nationally in undergraduate and graduate education, bringing world-class research and scholarship to our students, both in and out of the classroom. The college is the academic home to all five of the university's Nobel laureates. Additionally, it is home to the university's four National Medal of Science winners, nine MacArthur "Genius Award" winners, 100 Fulbright Scholars, 17 Guggenheim Fellows, 14 Packard Fellows, 24 members of the National Academy of Sciences, and 25 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. CU Boulder is the only university in the Rocky Mountain region in the American Association of Universities, a group of the nation's leading research institutions.
Department of Physics - The Department includes 54 tenured and tenure-track faculty performing cutting-edge research. Its graduate physics program draws ~1200 applications per year and is ranked by the National Research Council to be among the top 15 overall. The Department appears as high as 12th worldwide in international rankings of university Physics Departments. The department is strongly affiliated with centers and institutes such as JILA, a research institute administered jointly by NIST and the University of Colorado, and the Center for Theory of Quantum Matter, as well as with nearby National Laboratories (NIST and NREL), offering world-class facilities and broad opportunities for research collaboration.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
  • The candidate will be expected to lead efforts in physics analysis and detector commissioning in the DUNE near detector or NA61/SHINE experiment. Co-mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students in research will be expected.

What We Can Offer
  • Annual salary range of $62,000-$66,000
  • Moving reimbursement up to $2,500

Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.
What We Require
  • Applicants must have a Ph.D. in experimental particle or nuclear physics by the time of appointment.

What You Will Need
  • Proficiency in C++ and Python is highly desirable.

What We Would Like You to Have
  • Candidates should have strong particle physics data analysis skills and preferably have experience in detector hardware.

Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
  1. Resume or CV
  2. Cover letter
  3. Research Statement, detailing previous research accomplishments and research interests.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.
During the application process you will need to enter contact information for three references who may be contacted to provide a letters of recommendation and additional materials, if needed, as the search progresses.
Please apply by July 15 for full consideration. The position will remain posted until August 15, 2026.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

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