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$10

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How much do postdoc research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for postdoc research associate in Oak Ridge, TN is $19.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $19.76 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 cities near Oak Ridge, TN are hiring for Postdoc Research Associate jobs? Cities near Oak Ridge, TN with the most Postdoc Research Associate job openings:
Postdoc Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoc Research Associate job openings in Oak Ridge, TN 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 $39,510 per year, or $19 per hour.
Postdoctoral Research Associate - AI for Hydrological Modeling

Postdoctoral Research Associate - AI for Hydrological Modeling

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Oak Ridge National Laboratory rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

4th of 103 rated laboratories

Job description

Requisition Id 15769
Overview:
The Computational Hydrology and Atmospheric Science (CHAS) Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate in the areas of Hydrological and Earth System Modeling and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The successful candidate will have a strong background in computational science, data analysis, and process-based modeling of hydrological and Earth system processes. The CHAS group conducts world-class research in hydrological and Earth system modeling, large-scale data analytics and machine learning (ML), and data-model integration, leveraging the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Leadership-Class Computing Facilities to advance predictive understanding of complex environmental systems.
Major Duties/Responsibilities:
  • Develop and apply AI foundation models for hydrological and Earth system modeling, with emphasis on improving predictive capabilities for compound flooding in coastal regions.
  • Design and implement physics-informed and physics-ML hybrid approaches that integrate domain knowledge with data-driven methods to advance hydrological process understanding and prediction.
  • Conduct multimodal, multiscale data analysis by integrating diverse datasets (e.g., in situ observations, remote sensing products, model simulations) to inform model development, calibration, and validation.
  • Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of hydrologists, Earth scientists, and computational scientists to leverage leadership-class computing resources for large-scale model training, testing, and deployment.
  • Contribute to the development of scalable, explainable, and uncertainty-aware AI methods that enhance model robustness, reliability, and scientific discovery.
  • Publish research findings in high-impact journals and present results at national and international conferences.
  • Engage with collaborators across DOE laboratories, universities, and partner agencies to broaden the applications of AI-enabled hydrological modeling.
  • Ensure compliance with ORNL's safety, security, quality, and environmental standards while carrying out all research activities.

Technical Questions:
Please contact Dan Lu lud1@ornl.gov
Basic Qualifications:
  • A Ph.D. in Hydrology, Earth system science, Water resources engineering, Computational sciences, Computer sciences or a related field completed within the last 5 years (or expected soon).
  • Demonstrated experience in hydrological or Earth system modeling, with emphasis on process understanding and prediction.
  • Strong background in computational sciences, including numerical methods, high-performance computing (HPC), or large-scale data analysis.
  • Experience in applying AI/ML techniques to hydrological and Earth sciences.
  • Proficiency in scientific programming languages such as Python, Julia, R, Fortran, or C/C++.
  • Evidence of scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Knowledge of uncertainty quantification methods and causal inference for complex environmental systems.
  • Experience with large-scale Earth system simulations, particularly using the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM).
  • Background in coastal and compound flooding simulations, including subsurface-surface and hydrodynamic interactions.
  • Demonstrated ability and strong motivation to conduct innovative, high-impact research and disseminate results through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be for up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and the availability of funding.
ORNL Ethics and Conduct:
As a member of the ORNL scientific community, you will be expected to commit to ORNL's Research Code of Conduct. Our full code of conduct, and a statement by the Lab Director's office can be found here: https://www.ornl.gov/content/research-integrity
Benefits at ORNL:
UT Battelle offers an exceptional benefits package to include matching 401K, Pension Plan, Paid Vacation and Medical / Dental plan. Onsite amenities include Credit Union, Medical Clinic and free Fitness facilities.
Relocation:
UT Battelle offers a wide range of relocation benefits for individuals and families to make it easier to come and work here. If you are invited to interview, please ask your Recruiter about relocating with ORNL
This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.
We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.
ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

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