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Postdoc Research Associate Jobs in Ashburn, VA (NOW HIRING)

Howard University

Postdoctoral Fellow

Washington, DC · On-site

$53K/yr

The Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Associate will be responsible for conducting experiments, data analyses, presentations, and publications, following the Principal Investigator's instructions and ...

Howard

Postdoctoral Fellow

Washington, DC · On-site

$53K/yr

The Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Associate will be responsible for conducting experiments, data analyses, presentations, and publications, following the Principal Investigator's instructions and ...

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How much do postdoc research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for postdoc research associate in Ashburn, VA is $20.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.24 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 most commonly searched types of Postdoc Research jobs in Ashburn, VA?

The most popular types of Postdoc Research jobs in Ashburn, VA are:

What cities near Ashburn, VA are hiring for Postdoc Research Associate jobs?

Cities near Ashburn, VA with the most Postdoc Research Associate job openings:

Postdoc Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoc Research Associate job openings in Ashburn, VA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 61% Full Time, 35% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,261 per year, or $20.3 per hour.

NIST PREP Postdoctoral Research Associate in Electron Microscopy

Southeastern Universities Research Association

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

$82K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.
Research Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Electron Microscopy
The work will entail:NIST is actively seeking a candidate for a postdoctoral research position as part of a project related to the CHIPS for America Act. The project seeks to develop quantitative, atomic-resolution methods for the three-dimensional characterization of complex semiconductor devices via electron tomography. By coupling advance specimen preparation, cutting-edge electron microscopy instrumentation, and AI-driven data collection and reconstruction, we will deliver a robust suite of measurement tools to the semiconductor industry.
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
  • Sample preparation via focused ion beam methods
  • Collecting and processing of TEM tomography data
  • Presenting results at internal meetings, and occasional meetings with external stakeholders.
  • Ensuring that results, protocols, software, and documentation have been archived or otherwise transmitted to the larger organization.

Qualifications
  • PhD. in Physics, Materials Science, or a related field with a concentration in electron microscopy methods
  • Experience in the collection and processing of TEM/STEM data
  • Computer programming for custom data processing
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.

Privacy Act StatementAuthority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)
Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.
PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program.
Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.
Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated. By applying to a CHIPS-funded PREP opportunity, you also acknowledge that participation in the project requires signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to beginning any work.
SURA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, or sexual orientation. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.
PREP0003933

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