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Postdoc Research Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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$43.8K

$88.6K

$120K

How much do postdoc research jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoc research in Chicago, IL is $88,551.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,700.00 and $119,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Postdoc Researcher, you need advanced expertise in your subject area, a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent), and a strong track record of academic research. Familiarity with data analysis software, laboratory techniques, and tools such as MATLAB, R, or specialized equipment is often required. Critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and effective communication are vital soft skills for generating impactful research and working within diverse teams. These skills and qualities are essential for producing high-quality research, securing funding, and advancing in an academic or research-focused career.

What are some common challenges faced by postdoctoral researchers, and how can they be addressed?

Postdoctoral researchers often encounter challenges such as balancing independent research with collaborative projects, managing publication pressure, and securing funding or future positions. Navigating the transition from student to professional researcher can also be demanding, as postdocs are expected to demonstrate increasing autonomy and leadership within their teams. Building strong mentorship relationships, actively networking at conferences, and seeking professional development opportunities can help address these challenges and support career progression.

What are postdoc research positions?

Postdoc research positions, or postdoctoral research fellowships, are temporary academic or research roles held by individuals who have recently completed their doctoral studies (PhD). These positions allow researchers to deepen their expertise in a specialized area, contribute to academic publications, and gain further experience before moving on to more permanent academic or industry roles. Postdocs often work under the supervision of a principal investigator, participate in research projects, and may also mentor students. The duration of a postdoc can vary but typically lasts from one to three years.

What is the difference between Postdoc Research vs Research Scientist?

AspectPostdoc ResearchResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsPhD in relevant fieldMaster's or PhD, often with more industry experience
Work EnvironmentAcademic labs, universitiesIndustry labs, corporate R&D
Employer & Industry UsageAcademic institutions, research universitiesPrivate companies, biotech, tech firms
Common Search & Comparison IntentAcademic career path, research rolesIndustry research roles, career advancement

Postdoc Research positions are primarily academic roles focused on specialized research after earning a PhD, often aiming for a future academic career. Research Scientists typically work in industry, applying research skills to product development or innovation. While both roles require advanced degrees, their work environments and career paths differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Postdoc Research jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Postdoc Research jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Postdoc Research jobs in Chicago, IL? For Postdoc Research jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Postdoc Research jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Postdoc Research jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Postdoc Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoc Research job openings in Chicago, IL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 6% Physical, and 94% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $88,551 per year, or $42.6 per hour.
Postdoctoral Appointee - X-ray Scattering Studies of Catalytic Materials for AI-Enabled Discovery

Postdoctoral Appointee - X-ray Scattering Studies of Catalytic Materials for AI-Enabled Discovery

Argonne National Laboratory

Lemont, IL

$72.88K - $121.47K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Structural Science Group within the X-ray Science Division (XSD) at the Advanced Photon Source (APS), Argonne National Laboratory. This position is part of the DOE-BES initiative Integrated Scientific Agentic AI for Catalysis (ISAAC), a multi-facility collaboration integrating experimental measurements, simulations, and data science to enable physics-informed AI agents that accelerate discovery in catalysis science.

The successful candidate will focus on the development and application of machine learning and AI approaches to analyze synchrotron X-ray scattering data, including X-ray diffraction and total scattering measurements. The research will emphasize extracting physically meaningful descriptors from complex scattering datasets and integrating these results into the ISAAC multimodal data ecosystem to support autonomous scientific discovery.

The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the development of AI-ready data pipelines and analysis frameworks that enable rapid interpretation of scattering measurements and facilitate the training of intelligent agents capable of guiding experiments and simulations in catalytic materials research.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop and apply machine learning and data-driven methods for the analysis and interpretation of synchrotron X-ray scattering data, including diffraction and total scattering measurements.

  • Design computational workflows that transform experimental data into AI-ready descriptors suitable for integration within the ISAAC data infrastructure.

  • Collaborate with beamline scientists and user groups to incorporate scattering datasets into multimodal AI frameworks combining experimental measurements and simulations.

  • Contribute to the development of automated data processing and analysis pipelines for large-scale scattering datasets.

  • Participate in synchrotron experiments at APS beamlines to generate datasets that support algorithm development and validation.

  • Work closely with ISAAC collaborators across institutions to enable integration of scattering-derived insights into physics-informed AI models.

  • Document research results, contribute to publications in peer-reviewed journals, and present findings at scientific conferences.

Position Requirements

  • Ph.D. completed within the past 5 years, or soon to be completed, in physics, materials science, chemistry, computer science, applied mathematics, or a related discipline.

  • Demonstrated experience with X-ray scattering methods, such as diffraction, total scattering, or related structural characterization techniques.

  • Strong background in scientific programming and data analysis (Python, MATLAB, or equivalent).

  • Experience with machine learning, data-driven modeling, or AI methods applied to physical sciences datasets.

  • Familiarity with handling and analyzing large or complex experimental datasets.

  • Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional collaboration.

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.

  • Ability to model Argonne's core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

  • Experience applying machine learning or AI techniques to scattering, imaging, or spectroscopy datasets.

  • Familiarity with total scattering analysis, pair distribution function (PDF) methods, or diffraction data analysis.

  • Experience with automated data pipelines, high-throughput analysis, or real-time data processing for large experimental datasets.

  • Familiarity with multimodal data integration and scientific data management frameworks.

  • Interest in the development of AI-guided or autonomous experimentation frameworks.

Job Family

Postdoctoral

Job Profile

Postdoctoral Appointee

Worker Type

Long-Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type

Full timeThe expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

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