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Postdoc Research Associate Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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Postdoc Research Associate information

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$10

$19

$32

How much do postdoc research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for postdoc research associate in Virginia is $19.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.76 and $20.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical collaboration opportunities for a Postdoc Research Associate within a research institution?

As a Postdoc Research Associate, you will frequently collaborate with principal investigators, graduate students, and fellow postdocs both within your department and across interdisciplinary teams. These collaborations often involve co-authoring research papers, designing experiments, and sharing specialized expertise or equipment. Many institutions also encourage postdocs to participate in seminars, lab meetings, and grant-writing sessions, which foster networking and skill development. Such teamwork not only enriches your research but also broadens your professional network, which can be crucial for future career advancement.

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

AspectPostdoc Research AssociateResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsDoctoral degree (Ph.D.) in relevant fieldMaster's or Ph.D., often with more experience
Work EnvironmentAcademic or research institutions, labsUniversities, research centers, industry R&D
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily academia and government researchAcademia, industry, biotech, pharma
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Postdoc Research Associate and a Research Scientist lies in experience level and career stage. Postdoc Research Associates are typically early-career researchers with a Ph.D. working on specific projects, often aiming for academic careers. Research Scientists usually have more experience, may hold advanced degrees, and work on broader research initiatives in academia or industry. Both roles require strong research skills and doctoral credentials, but their responsibilities and career paths differ.

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

To thrive as a Postdoc Research Associate, you need a doctoral degree in a relevant field, robust research experience, and advanced analytical skills. Familiarity with specialized laboratory equipment, data analysis software, and scientific publishing platforms is typically required. Strong communication, problem-solving abilities, and collaboration are essential soft skills for presenting findings and working within research teams. These skills ensure high-quality research output, effective teamwork, and successful advancement of scientific knowledge.

What is a Postdoc Research Associate?

A Postdoc Research Associate is an individual who has completed their doctoral studies (PhD or equivalent) and is engaged in advanced academic or scientific research, usually on a temporary contract. Postdocs work under the supervision of a principal investigator or faculty member, contributing to ongoing research projects and often leading their own studies. Their main goal is to gain further research experience, publish findings, and develop skills needed for academic or industry careers. Postdoc positions are common in universities, research institutes, and some private sector organizations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Postdoc Research jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Postdoc Research jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Postdoc Research Associate jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Postdoc Research Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Postdoc Research Associate job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,972 per year, or $19.7 per hour.

Postdoc Research Associate, Genome Sciences

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


University Of Virginia rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 35 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

205th of 614 rated colleges and universities


Job description

The Laboratory of Dr. Chongzhi Zang in the Department of Genome Sciences at the University of Virginia (UVA) is seeking to fill multiple Postdoctoral Research Associate positions in the broad field of bioinformatics and computational biology. The lab's research program focuses on developing computational methods for high-throughput genomics technologies and integrating data science and experimental approaches to study chromatin and gene regulation in mammalian cells and human disease systems. Current ongoing projects include: statistical modeling and advanced machine learning/AI method development for predicting transcriptional regulation from multi-omics data; computational method development for single-cell epigenomic sequencing and image-based spatial-omics data analysis; computational and experimental studies on chromatin regulation, transcriptional condensates, and liquid-liquid phase separation; and research on epigenetics and transcriptional regulation in human cancer and immune systems. Additional information on research directions and recent publications can be found on the lab's website .
The PI, Dr. Chongzhi Zang, is the inaugural Director of Computational Genomics at the UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center and a tenured Associate Professor in the Departments of Genome Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, and Biomedical Engineering at the UVA School of Medicine. Dr. Zang is an accomplished computational biologist who has made significant contributions to high-throughput sequencing bioinformatics, ChIP-seq data analysis, epigenetics and transcriptional regulation. Since starting his independent faculty position at UVA in 2016, his lab has been productive and well-funded by NIH and other agencies. Dr. Zang is a dedicated mentor. Every postdoctoral scientist in the lab will receive comprehensive and personalized training in research and career development, and will have extensive opportunities for both independent and collaborative research. Based in the Department of Genome Sciences at UVA's School of Medicine, the lab has established close collaborations with multiple research groups across the country.
Minimum Qualifications:
A Ph.D. or equivalent degree in any quantitative science, including but not limited to Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field is required by the start date.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Proficient in Python (or C/C++) & R programming.
  • Strong quantitative background (e.g., statistical modeling, machine learning, computational or theoretical physics, etc.) or computational genomics experience (e.g., high-throughput sequencing data analysis, etc.).
  • At least one peer-reviewed publication written in English in the previous area of research (not necessarily related to biology) with submitted, accepted, or published status at the time of application.

This is a 12-month appointment with the possibility of renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funding. Salary is commensurate with education and experience.
This is an Exempt level, benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits
This position will sponsor applicants for work visa who meet the qualifications.
This position will remain open until filled. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. A completed pre-employment health screen is required for this position prior to employment.
To Apply:
Please apply through Careers at UVA , and search for R0066281 .
Complete an application online with the following documents:
  • CV
  • Cover letter
  • Contact information for 3 references.

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.
Internal applicants: Search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website .
For questions about the application process, please contact Jessica Russo, Academic Recruiter at sxv9zv@virginia.edu.
For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/
Job Profile
J0267 - Research Associate - 12 Month
Career Stream and Level
No Career Stream-No Level
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment .

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About University of Virginia

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The University of Virginia is distinctive among institutions of higher education. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University sustains the ideal of developing, through education, leaders who are well-prepared to shape the future of the nation.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Charlottesville, VA, US

Year founded

1819