ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Postdoctoral Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Duke University

Postdoctoral Associate

Durham, NC · On-site

The Postdoctoral Appointee holds a PhD or equivalent doctorate (e.g. ScD, MD, DVM). Candidates with non-US degrees may be required to provide proof of degree equivalency. 1. A candidate may also be ...

Duke University

Postdoctoral Associate

Durham, NC

The Heaton Laboratory has an opening for a Postdoctoral Associate at the Duke University School of Medicine. We are seeking a motivated person to research the mechanisms of, and interventions for ...

Duke University

Postdoctoral Associate

Durham, NC · On-site

The Heaton Laboratory has an opening for a Postdoctoral Associate at the Duke University School of Medicine. We are seeking a motivated person to research the mechanisms of, and interventions for ...

Duke University

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE

Durham, NC

As the Postdoctoral Associate, you'll be a vital part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team advancing gene therapy research that supports patients and families impacted by neuromuscular ...

Duke University

Postdoctoral Associate

Durham, NC

The Postdoctoral Appointee holds a PhD or equivalent doctorate (e.g. ScD, MD, DVM). Candidates with non-US degrees may be required to provide proof of degree equivalency. 1. A candidate may also be ...

Duke University

Postdoctoral Associate

Durham, NC

The Postdoctoral Appointee holds a PhD or equivalent doctorate (e.g. ScD, MD, DVM). Candidates with non-US degrees may be required to provide proof of degree equivalency. 1. A candidate may also be ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPostdoctoral Jobs

Postdoctoral information

See salary details

$25K

$59K

$83.5K

How much do postdoctoral jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral in the United States is $59,022.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $66,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges postdoctoral researchers face when transitioning to independent research roles?

Postdoctoral researchers often encounter challenges such as balancing the demands of publishing, securing funding, and developing their own research identity while still working under a principal investigator. Navigating the path to independence can also involve building a professional network and gaining experience in grant writing and project management. Supportive mentors and institutional resources can help, but it's important to proactively seek out opportunities for leadership and collaboration to position yourself for future faculty or industry roles.

What is the difference between Postdoctoral vs Research Scientist?

AspectPostdoctoralResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsDoctoral degree (Ph.D.) often requiredMaster's or Ph.D., depending on the field
Work EnvironmentAcademic labs, universities, research institutionsIndustry labs, corporate R&D, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily academia and research institutionsPrimarily industry and corporate sectors
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Postdoctoral researchers typically hold a Ph.D. and work in academic or research institutions to gain specialized experience. Research Scientists often have similar credentials but are employed in industry or corporate R&D settings. While both roles involve research, Postdoctoral positions are usually temporary and focused on academic advancement, whereas Research Scientists are often permanent staff working on applied projects in industry.

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

To thrive as a Postdoctoral Researcher, you need an advanced degree (usually a PhD), strong research skills, and deep subject matter expertise in your field. Proficiency with data analysis tools, laboratory techniques, and research software such as Python, R, or MATLAB is often required. Excellent communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills set candidates apart by enabling effective teamwork and dissemination of findings. These abilities are vital for driving original research, publishing impactful work, and advancing academic or industry careers.

What are postdoctoral researchers?

Postdoctoral researchers, often called 'postdocs,' are individuals who have completed their doctoral studies (PhD or equivalent) and are engaged in further academic or scientific research. They typically work under the supervision of a principal investigator or faculty member to gain additional training, develop new skills, and contribute to research projects. Postdocs are a common step for those pursuing academic careers, but their experience can also be valuable for roles in industry or government. The position is usually temporary, lasting from one to several years, allowing researchers to deepen their expertise in a specialized field.
More about Postdoctoral jobs
What cities are hiring for Postdoctoral jobs? Cities with the most Postdoctoral job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Postdoctoral jobs? The most popular types of Postdoctoral jobs are:
What states have the most Postdoctoral jobs? States with the most job openings for Postdoctoral jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Postdoctoral jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Postdoctoral jobs are:
Postdoctoral jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,022 per year, or $28.4 per hour.
Postdoctoral Scholar

Postdoctoral Scholar

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC • On-site

$62K/yr

Other

Posted 5 days ago

East Carolina University rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 31 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

346th of 534 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Position Information
Job Title Postdoctoral Scholar Position Number PDS-MCBI-02-26 Vacancy Open to All Candidates Department EHH BSOM Microbiology and Immuun Department Homepage https://microbiology-immunology.ecu.edu/ Advertising Department MICROBIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY Division ECU Health/BSOM Classification Title Postdoctoral Scholar Working Title Postdoctoral Scholar Number of Vacancies 2 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) 1.0 Full Time or Part Time Full Time Anticipated Recruitment Range. Salary offered may be outside of this range as impacted by budget, UNC salary administration, and/or candidate qualifications. $62,232 Position Location (City) Greenville Position Type Postdoctoral Scholars Job Category Postdoctoral Scholars Primary Function of Organizational Unit
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is a distinguished research and teaching facility of East Carolina University School of Medicine, consisting of approximately 50 people.
This department provides an academic base for teacher-scientists employed by the School of Medicine at East Carolina University in the disciplines of microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, and other related disciplines. The department provides instruction to medical students and dental students, and provides instruction, guidance, and research experience to Ph.D. and M.S. students seeking degrees in microbiology and immunology. The department also offers a postdoctoral research training program. The department supports an array of faculty-directed research programs, many of which are supported by extramural grants and/or contracts. The department provides service to the school, university, state, nation, and to the profession through the activities of faculty members on committees, study sections, in professional organizations, as consultants, and through other activities.
Job Duties
The postdoctoral scholar will lead independent and collaborative research focused on the biology of spirochetes. Using Borrelia burgdorferi and Leptospira species as model organisms, the researcher will investigate the structure-function relationships of periplasmic flagella, mechanisms of gene regulation, the cyclicdiGMP signaling pathway, and factors contributing to bacterial virulence (https://microbiology-immunology.ecu.edu/md-motaleb/).
Duties include: hypothesis and protocol development, literature review, collection of pilot data, report writing, supervision of undergraduate and graduate students, and new laboratory staff, review of data for quality control, supervision of data entry/data analysis, analysis of research hypothesis using descriptive and multivariate statistics, and the development of independent and collaborative presentations and publications.
Scholars are expected to demonstrate compliance with established guidelines and regulatory standards for research, including biosafety, responsible conduct of research, and human subjects training.
Approximately 90% of the postdoctoral scholar's time will be devoted to research.
Approximately 10% of the postdoctoral scholar's time will be devoted to managing the day-to-day activities of undergraduate and graduate research students in the laboratory.
Minimum Education/Experience
PhD (or equivalent), English Proficiency, Excellent written and oral communication skills
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation
None
Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education
PhD (or equivalent) degree in microbial genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, and/or a related field. Experience working with animals is desired but not required.
License or Certification Required by the Department Special Instructions to Applicant
To be considered for this position, all applicants must apply through PeopleAdmin and attach their CV or resume, cover letter, and names and contact information of 3 references. Appointments are typically for a one-year period. Five years (typically five appointments of one year) is typically the maximum total period that any individual may serve as a Scholar.
The University, in its sole discretion, has the option to renew or extend any appointment, subject to the availability of funds, past performance evaluations, and/or any other lawful reasons. For other information on the ECU Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, please visit our website at: https://rede.ecu.edu/postdoctoral/
Additional Instructions to Applicant
  • In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable.
  • Unless otherwise identified in the applicable job posting and consistent with University policy, the University will principally employ individuals who reside in the State of North Carolina to the greatest extent practicable. As such, most positions at East Carolina University require employees to live and work in North Carolina (or live within a reasonable daily commuting distance from their duty station) after hire. Candidates should be prepared to relocate within a reasonable, agreed-upon time after an offer of employment has been made and accepted to meet this requirement.
Job Open Date 03/04/2026 Open Until Filled Yes Job Close Date - Positions will be posted until 11:59 p.m. EST on this date. If no closing date is indicated, the position may close at any time after the initial screening date. Initial Screening Begins 03/11/2026 Rank Level Not Applicable Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting https://ecu.peopleadmin.com/postings/91721 Nondiscrimination Statement
East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.
Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.
Eligibility for Employment
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. If highest degree earned is from an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, final candidates are required to have their degree validated as equivalent to the degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S.
Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity
If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328-9847 or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.

What East Carolina University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

East Carolina University logo

About East Carolina University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

ECU is the state’s leader and national trailblazer in distance education. Whether you want to finish what you started or start something new, East Carolina University offers more than 100 online degree and certificate programs in business, health care, education, technology, and other areas to give you the options you need to meet your objectives.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Greenville, NC, US

Year founded

1907

View All East Carolina University Jobs

Apply