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Postdoctoral Associate Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Postdoctoral Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 536240 Work type: Research Faculty Senior management: College of Engineering Department: Computer Science Location: Blacksburg ...

Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Postdoctoral Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 534113 Work type: Research Faculty Senior management: College of Science Department: Mathematics Location: Blacksburg, Virginia ...

Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Postdoctoral Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 533429 Work type: Research Faculty Senior management: Vice President for Research Department: Fralin Biomedical Res. Institute Location:

Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Postdoctoral Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 535677 Work type: Research Faculty Senior management: Natural Resources Department: Geography Location: Blacksburg, Virginia Categories:

Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Postdoctoral Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 536028 Work type: Research Faculty Senior management: College of Engineering Department: Electrical and ComputerEngineering Location:

Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Postdoctoral Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 531898 Work type: Research Faculty Senior management: College of Veterinary Medicine Department: Biomedical Science Location:

Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Postdoctoral Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 536250 Work type: Research Faculty Senior management: Vice President for Research Department: Fralin Biomedical Res. Institute Location:

Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Postdoctoral Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 536659 Work type: Research Faculty Senior management: Agriculture & Life Sciences Department: Food Science and Technology Location:

Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Postdoctoral Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 531516 Work type: Research Faculty Senior management: College of Veterinary Medicine Department: Biomedical Science Location:

Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Postdoctoral Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 530589 Work type: Research Faculty Senior management: College of Veterinary Medicine Department: Biomedical Science Location:

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Postdoctoral Associate information

See Virginia salary details

$42.1K

$85.2K

$115.5K

How much do postdoctoral associate jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral associate in Virginia is $85,222.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,500.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Postdoctoral Associate vs Research Scientist?

AspectPostdoctoral AssociateResearch Scientist
Required credentialsPh.D. in relevant fieldMaster's or Ph.D., depending on industry
Work environmentAcademic labs, universitiesIndustry labs, corporate R&D
Employer and industry usagePrimarily academia and research institutionsPrimarily industry and corporate sectors
Common search intentResearch, academic career developmentProduct development, applied research

Postdoctoral Associates typically hold a Ph.D. and work mainly in academic or research institutions focusing on specialized research projects. Research Scientists often have similar credentials but are employed in industry settings, focusing on applied research and product development. The roles overlap in qualifications but differ in work environment and career focus.

What are Postdoctoral Associates?

Postdoctoral Associates are individuals who have recently completed their doctoral studies and are engaged in a temporary period of mentored research or scholarly training. They work under the supervision of a principal investigator or faculty member, typically at a university or research institution. The main goal of a Postdoctoral Associate is to deepen their expertise in a specific field of study, contribute to ongoing research projects, and prepare for an independent career in academia, industry, or other research-related fields.

What are some common challenges faced by Postdoctoral Associates when managing independent research projects?

Postdoctoral Associates often encounter challenges in balancing the demands of independent research with collaborative projects and administrative responsibilities. Managing time effectively, securing funding, and navigating the publication process can be particularly demanding. Additionally, Postdocs must adapt to the expectations of their principal investigator and the broader research team, while also building their professional network and developing a clear path toward future career advancement. Proactive communication and organizational skills are key to overcoming these challenges and making the most of the postdoctoral experience.

How much do postdoctoral associates make?

Postdoctoral associates typically earn between $45,000 and $65,000 annually, depending on the field, location, and experience. Salaries can vary based on funding sources, institution policies, and whether the position is in academia or industry, with some positions offering additional benefits such as health insurance and research stipends.

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

To thrive as a Postdoctoral Associate, you need a doctoral degree in a relevant field, advanced research skills, and a strong publication record. Experience with specialized laboratory techniques, data analysis software (such as R or Python), and familiarity with grant writing or academic publishing platforms are typically required. Strong problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills help you effectively share findings and work within multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualities are essential for advancing research goals, securing funding, and building a successful academic or industry career.

Does a postdoctoral associate have a PhD?

Yes, a postdoctoral associate typically holds a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in their field. This position involves advanced research and often requires specialized skills and knowledge gained during doctoral studies.

What does a post-doctoral associate do?

A post-doctoral associate conducts advanced research in a specific field, often under the supervision of a principal investigator or faculty member. They perform experiments, analyze data, publish findings, and may mentor graduate students, typically working in academic or research institutions with specialized tools and methodologies.

Is postdoc harder than PhD?

A postdoctoral associate role typically involves more independent research, higher expectations for productivity, and longer hours compared to a PhD program. While a PhD focuses on completing coursework and a dissertation, a postdoc emphasizes publishing, grant writing, and establishing an independent research agenda, making it generally more demanding in terms of responsibility and workload.
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Postdoctoral Associate jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Postdoctoral Associate job openings:
Postdoctoral Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Associate job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,222 per year, or $41 per hour.
Postdoctoral Associate

Postdoctoral Associate

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 9 days ago

Virginia Tech rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 65 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

196th of 546 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Postdoctoral Associate

Apply now Back to search results Job no: 536240
Work type: Research Faculty
Senior management: College of Engineering
Department: Computer Science
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Engineering, Research / Scientific

Job Description

Prof. Debswapna Bhattacharya's research group in the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech (https://people.cs.vt.edu/dbhattacharya/) seeks to recruit multiple postdoctoral associates in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Biomolecular Modeling.
The postdoctoral associate will focus on developing and applying AI methodologies to drive advances in drug discovery and biomolecular design. The successful candidates will contribute significantly to the group's mission in leveraging AI for scientific discovery.
The successful candidates will conduct groundbreaking research that transforms current AI for Science paradigms focusing on multidisciplinary applications in biomolecular modeling and design, leading to a step-change in Scientific Machine Learning (SciML). They will be expected to collaborate with members of the group as well as other stakeholders and to perform modest service duties around missions of the group, such as training and engagement.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Statistics, Mathematics, Biophysics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology or related fields.
PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.
Substantial programming experience.
Excellent communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated record of excellence in advancing artificial intelligence, characterized by a strong publication history in top-tier venues and a research background outlining significant contributions to AI that demonstrate high potential for research impact.
Published research experience in AI for scientific discovery and/or AI-driven biomolecular modeling and/or scientific machine learning.

Pay Band

{lPayScaleID}

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$63,000-$73,000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

May 25, 2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Joseph Morgan at jmorgan99@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: April 29, 2026
Applications close:

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About Virginia Tech

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Virginia Tech, guided by its motto "Ut Prosim" (That I May Serve), embraces a hands-on, interdisciplinary approach to educate scholars as leaders and problem-solvers. As a comprehensive land-grant institution, it enriches the quality of life in Virginia and worldwide, fostering an inclusive community focused on knowledge, discovery, and creativity. With over 280 majors, the university serves a diverse student body of more than 36,000 across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Virginia Tech's presence extends throughout Virginia, including campuses in Northern Virginia, Roanoke, Newport News, and Richmond, along with multiple Extension offices and research centers. As a prominent global research institution, it conducts over $500 million in research annually.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Blacksburg, VA, US

Year founded

1872

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