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Postdoc Associate Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Postdoctoral Fellow

Bloomington, IN · On-site

$45K - $61K/yr

The Dharan Lab in the Department of Biology at Indiana University, Bloomington is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral associate to work on HIV-1 related projects with minimal supervision. The ...

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Postdoc Associate information

See Indiana salary details

$10

$18

$31

How much do postdoc associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for postdoc associate in Indiana is $18.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.18 and $19.66 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.
What are the most commonly searched types of Postdoc jobs in Indiana? The most popular types of Postdoc jobs in Indiana are:
Infographic showing various Postdoc Associate job openings in Indiana as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,325 per year, or $18.9 per hour.
Post Doc Research Associate

Post Doc Research Associate

Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • On-site

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Purdue University rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 132 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

263rd of 538 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Req Id: 40410
Job Title: Post Doc Research Associate
City: West Lafayette
Job Description:
Job Summary
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Purdue University is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate to join our dark matter group and work on the LZ experiment as well as the development of new detector technologies.
LZ is a dual-phase liquid xenon time projection chamber with world-leading sensitivity to major particle dark matter candidates. It also provides sensitivity to neutrinoless double-beta decay, a process that violates number conservation. Our group is involved in many aspects of the LZ experiment, from detector calibration, simulations to data analysis.
The successful candidate will play an active role in analyzing LZ data, with opportunities to improve simulation models used in rare-event searches, develop machine learning methods for background rejection, and place constraints on new physics using LZ datasets.
In addition, the postdoc will lead the development of a dedicated testbed to advance dark matter detection technologies. This work will involve close collaboration with the PI and technical staff to design, build, and operate a particle detector within a cryogenic system, evaluate photosensor performance beyond commercially rated specifications, and calibrate the detector response.
Application Information
The position is available for a flexible start date as early as May 1, 2026. We will begin reviewing applications on March 20, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.
Applications, including a CV and three letters of reference should be sent to Prof. Qing (Shilo) Xia (xia268@purdue.edu).
Informal inquiries should be sent to Prof. Qing (Shilo) Xia (xia268@purdue.edu), Department of Physics and Astronomy, Purdue University, 525 Northwestern Avenue, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907.

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