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Postdoc Music Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Postdoc Music information

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$30.5K

$57.7K

$121.5K

How much do postdoc music jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoc music in the United States is $57,731.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,000.00 and $64,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Postdoc in Music, you generally need a Ph.D. in music or a related field, strong research and analytical skills, and a proven record of scholarly publications. Familiarity with music analysis software, digital audio workstations, and qualitative or quantitative research tools is often required. Exceptional communication, collaboration, and time management skills help you stand out, especially for teaching and interdisciplinary projects. These competencies are crucial for advancing research, contributing to academic discourse, and succeeding in competitive academic environments.

What are some common challenges faced by postdoctoral researchers in music when balancing research, teaching, and performance obligations?

Postdoctoral researchers in music often navigate a complex balance between their research projects, teaching responsibilities, and, in some cases, ongoing performance commitments. Managing time effectively is crucial, as research deadlines, lesson planning, and rehearsals can overlap. Collaboration with faculty and students is frequent, requiring strong communication and organizational skills. Additionally, postdocs may face challenges in securing funding or resources for creative projects, making networking and grant writing important aspects of the role.

What is a postdoc in music?

A postdoc in music is a temporary research or teaching position at a university or institution, held after completing a doctoral degree (PhD or DMA) in music or a related field. These positions allow scholars to deepen their expertise, contribute to academic research, and prepare for faculty or industry roles. Postdoctoral fellows in music may focus on areas such as musicology, composition, ethnomusicology, music technology, or performance studies. They often work on independent or collaborative research projects, publish academic papers, and sometimes teach courses or mentor students.

What is the difference between Postdoc Music vs Postdoc Music Education?

AspectPostdoc MusicPostdoc Music Education
Required CredentialsDoctorate in Music or related fieldDoctorate in Music Education or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch institutions, universities, performance settingsUniversities, schools, educational research centers
Employer & Industry UsageAcademic, research, performance organizationsEducational institutions, curriculum development

Postdoc Music typically focuses on advanced research and performance in music, while Postdoc Music Education emphasizes research and development in teaching methods and curriculum design. Both roles require a doctorate in their respective fields and are common in academic and research settings, but they serve different professional focuses within the music industry.

More about Postdoc Music jobs
What cities are hiring for Postdoc Music jobs? Cities with the most Postdoc Music job openings:
What states have the most Postdoc Music jobs? States with the most job openings for Postdoc Music jobs include:
Infographic showing various Postdoc Music job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $57,731 per year, or $27.8 per hour.
Postdoctoral Associate - AI3

Postdoctoral Associate - AI3

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY • On-site

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


Stony Brook University rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 21 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

210th of 529 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Required Qualifications: (as evidenced by an attached resume)
PhD (or foreign equivalent) in hand by the start of the appointment. 

Preferred Qualification:
A demonstrated record of excellence in advancing artificial intelligence, characterized by a strong publication history in top-tier venues and a research background outlining significant contributions to AI that demonstrate high potential for research impact.

AI Innovation Postdoctoral Scholars:
The AI Innovation Institute (AI3) at Stony Brook University invites candidates for a large cohort of fully-funded postdoctoral scholars with initial appointments of two years, with possibility of renewal.  Internally supported by the Presidential Innovation and Excellence Fund derived from a recent $500M Simons Foundation donation to Stony Brook University, AI3 is a new university-wide institute that aims to drive both innovative research in the core of AI as well as the diffusion of AI across nearly every industrial, societal, and scholarly sector.  AI3 includes more than 70 faculty members with interests ranging from novel algorithms, architectures, and mathematical / ethical foundations to applications in art, biological sciences, business, climate sciences, health sciences, humanities, journalism, libraries, music, materials discovery, physical sciences, and social sciences.

Stony Brook University has a bucolic setting conducive to curiosity-driven research while embedded in the New York City and New England regions that catalyzes industrial and societal engagement.  AI3 postdoctoral scholars will be encouraged to pursue their own research interests in the service of significant scholarly and societal impact, with opportunities to work with research groups through mutual interest.

As a member of the prestigious AAU, co-manager of famed Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), flagship university of the State of New York, and having global research facilities from Korea to Kenya, Stony Brook University provides deep connections for meaningful AI and domain collaborations.  As a key participant in Empire AI (a $565M investment in AI infrastructure), AI3 researchers will have access to significant shared compute resources.

Applications will be processed on an ongoing basis until all positions in this prestigious inaugural cohort are filled. Candidates seeking to bridge multiple disciplines or bring AI into new scholarly/societal domains are particularly encouraged to apply.

The start date is negotiable but can be as early as Summer 2026.

Duties:

       Conduct groundbreaking research that transforms current AI paradigms and changes the world.

       Perform modest service duties around missions of AI3, such as public engagement.

       Collaborate with members of AI3 as well as other organizations.

       Other duties or projects as assigned.

Special Notes:

Application Materials

      curriculum vitae and personal website URL.

      research statement.

      two selected publications (links to publicly open URLs).

      names of two references.

      names of two potential faculty collaborators at Stony Brook.

The Research Foundation of SUNY is a private educational corporation. Employment is subject to the Research Foundation policies and procedures, sponsor guidelines and the availability of funding. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.

Visit The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs to learn more about our postdoctoral community.

Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.

Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning, and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

If you need a disability-related accommodation, please call the university Office of Equity and Access (OEA) at (631) 632-6280 or visit OEA.

In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act a copy of our crime statistics can be viewed here.
Visit our WHY WORK HERE page to learn about the total rewards we offer.

SUNY Research Foundation: A Great Place to Work.

The starting salary range (or hiring range) to be offered for this position is noted below, it represents SBU's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.


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