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Postdoc Jobs in Pennsylvania (NOW HIRING)

The postdoctoral scholar will combine foundation AI modeling and differentiable modeling (a genre of physics-informed machine learning) for hydrologic modeling to improve large-scale hydrologic ...

POSITION SPECIFICS The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University has a Postdoctoral Scholar opening starting in July 2026 (starting date negotiable, but ...

Mathias Martins is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar to join his research program in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Penn State. The laboratory focuses on poultry viruses, with ...

POSITION SPECIFICS Postdoctoral Scholar position at The Pennsylvania State University Dr. Feifei Shi is looking to hire a highly motivated Postdoctoral Scholar with expertise in electrochemistry and ...

Please include "Postdoc Application" in the subject line. * Application materials should include a brief statement of purpose and a full CV. * Submit application materials online through the Penn ...

POSITION SPECIFICS Postdoctoral Scholar - Condensed Matter Experiment - Terrones Lab The Eberly College of Science, Department of Physics at The Pennsylvania State University is seeking to fill one ...

The Postdoctoral Scholar will work within collaborative, transdisciplinary research teams and contribute to integrating molecular biology, bioinformatics, and ecological approaches to address ...

As a Postdoctoral Scholar, you will design and conduct original research at the intersection of AI and organizational leadership, collaborate closely with faculty and fellow researchers across ...

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Showing results 1-20

Postdoc information

See Pennsylvania salary details

$25.1K

$59.2K

$83.7K

How much do postdoc jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoc in Pennsylvania is $59,163.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,100.00 and $66,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a postdoc?

Postdocs, or postdoctoral researchers, are individuals who have completed their doctoral studies (PhD or equivalent) and are engaged in a temporary period of mentored research or scholarly training. This position allows them to deepen their expertise in a specialized area, develop new research skills, and prepare for independent careers in academia, industry, or other sectors. Postdoctoral appointments typically last from one to five years and often involve publishing research findings, collaborating with other scientists, and sometimes teaching responsibilities.

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

To thrive as a Postdoc, you need a doctoral degree in a relevant field, strong research skills, and a track record of academic publications. Familiarity with specialized research tools, statistical analysis software, and laboratory techniques (where applicable) is typically required. Exceptional problem-solving abilities, independence, and effective communication skills help postdocs excel in collaborative and interdisciplinary environments. These skills are crucial for advancing research objectives, securing funding, and building a foundation for a successful academic or industry career.

What is the difference between Postdoc vs Research Scientist?

AspectPostdocResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsDoctoral degree (PhD)Master's or PhD, often with more industry experience
Work EnvironmentAcademic or research institutionsIndustry, corporate R&D labs, or research organizations
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, academic research centersPrivate companies, government agencies, industry
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding academic research rolesIndustry research roles and career progression

In summary, a Postdoc is primarily an academic research position focused on gaining specialized research experience after earning a PhD. A Research Scientist typically works in industry or corporate settings, often requiring similar credentials but emphasizing applied research and product development. The choice depends on whether you aim for an academic or industry career path.

What are some common challenges faced by postdocs during their fellowship, and how can they be addressed?

Postdocs often encounter challenges such as balancing independent research with collaborative projects, managing the pressure to publish, and navigating uncertainty around career progression. Building strong communication with mentors, setting clear research goals, and seeking out professional development resources can help address these challenges. Additionally, connecting with peers and participating in interdisciplinary teams can provide support and open up new opportunities for collaboration and skill development.

What are the most commonly searched types of Postdoc jobs in Pennsylvania?

The most popular types of Postdoc jobs in Pennsylvania are:

What cities in Pennsylvania are hiring for Postdoc jobs?

Cities in Pennsylvania with the most Postdoc job openings:

Infographic showing various Postdoc job openings in Pennsylvania as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,163 per year, or $28.4 per hour.

Postdoctoral Scholar

Penn State University

University Park, PA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Penn State University rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 103 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

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Job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
  • CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Join a Dynamic Team Focused on Foundation AI modeling and Physics-Informed Machine Learning as a Postdoctoral Researcher at The Pennsylvania State University.
The Pennsylvania State University is seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position in the field of computational land surface hydrology, with a focus on Foundation AI model pretraining and finetuning, geospatial data processing and physics-informed machine learning. Prior experiences with these topics are highly desired. Pending approval of the grant, the successful candidate will work on innovative research in hydrology, collaborating with Dr. Shen and other faculty members, while also participating in the development of research projects and providing support to graduate students.
The postdoctoral scholar will combine foundation AI modeling and differentiable modeling (a genre of physics-informed machine learning) for hydrologic modeling to improve large-scale hydrologic forecast. The scholar will work with a large, interdisciplinary team on the next-generation land surface model. Especially, the scholar will integrate state-of-the-art AI and physics-informed AI techniques into an operational system. The contribution could bring benefits to society and reduce the damage of floods.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
  • Develop and implement novel modeling techniques.
  • Stay current with the latest developments and be willing to learn and adopt frontier methods.
  • Collaborate with research team members to design, execute, and interpret research findings.
  • Contribute to the development of high-quality research publications and presentations.
  • Provide support to graduate students within the department.

Requirements:
The Postdoctoral Researcher should possess a Ph.D. in hydrology, civil engineering, environmental science, or a closely related field by the appointment start date.
The successful candidate will also have:
  • A strong background in numerical modeling and the application of computational methods to land surface hydrological problems.
  • Research experience with a track record of published work in relevant scientific journals.
  • Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
  • Proficiency in programming languages, such as Python or Fortran.
  • Experiences with machine learning is a plus to the application.
  • Solid understanding of the physical hydrologic cycle and large-scale geographic datasets.

The Pennsylvania State University offers a dynamic research environment, providing access to world-class facilities and resources. We encourage highly motivated candidates with a passion for advancing the field of computational hydrology to apply for this exciting position. To apply, please submit your CV, a cover letter detailing your research interests and experience, and contact information for three references with your online application.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.
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