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Postdoctoral Associate Jobs in Berkeley, CA (NOW HIRING)

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Postdoctoral Associate information

See Berkeley, CA salary details

$52K

$105.3K

$142.6K

How much do postdoctoral associate jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral associate in Berkeley, CA is $105,252.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,600.00 and $142,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a postdoctoral associate?

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.

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.

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 cities near Berkeley, CA are hiring for Postdoctoral Associate jobs?

Cities near Berkeley, CA with the most Postdoctoral Associate job openings:

Postdoctoral Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Associate job openings in Berkeley, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,793 per year, or $50.4 per hour.

Research Scholar (Postdoctoral Research Scholar)

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Northern California Institute for Research and Education
Outpatient Health Care • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Northern California Institute for Research and Educationexternal

Part-time

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Position Definition:
Dr. Sabra Inslicht and the Stress, Trauma, and Resilience Program (STaR Lab) at the San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS) are recruiting for a Postdoctoral Research Scholar in PTSD, trauma, sleep, and fear learning. This position has an expected duration of two years and is based at the SFVAHCS, is affiliated with University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and is supported through Northern California Institute for Research and Education, Inc (NCIRE).
The primary goal of this postdoctoral position is to train clinical and translational researchers (e.g., PhD psychologists/neuroscientists, MDs in psychiatry/neurology, or other allied health professionals) to become leading investigators in the areas of PTSD and trauma-related disorders, insomnia and sleep disturbance, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and mechanistic studies of fear learning and extinction. Over the course of the 2-year program, fellows will devote at least 75% of their time to research and educational activities (including didactics, seminars, and career development) and up to 25% to clinical training and/or other tailored professional development, depending on discipline and goals. Fellows will be responsible for driving innovative research projects while also gaining the skills needed to become independent investigators.
The STaR Lab focuses on mechanism-informed, pharmacologically augmented psychotherapies and experimental paradigms of fear learning and extinction, including studies of orexin antagonists for PTSD and insomnia, remote and in-lab psychophysiology (e.g., fear conditioning, EDA, HR/HRV, EMG, facial coding, remote PPG), and sleep and cardiovascular risk in trauma-exposed populations, including women Veterans and other high-risk groups.
Essential Functions - Training & Research Opportunities:
The fellow will have the opportunity to collaborate with SFVA/UCSF investigators and participate in structured didactic sessions, career development seminars, and lab meetings across SFVA and UCSF.
Under the primary mentorship of Dr. Sabra Inslicht (and co-mentors as appropriate), the postdoctoral scholar will:
  • Design and execute research studies focused on PTSD, trauma, sleep, and fear learning (e.g., augmented psychotherapy trials, orexin antagonist trials, experimental fear-conditioning and extinction paradigms, remote psychophysiology).
  • Lead data analysis efforts, integrating clinical, psychophysiological, and sleep-related measures.
  • Write manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications and develop presentations for national and international conferences.
  • Contribute to and increasingly lead grant development, including pilot grants, career development awards, and multi-site proposals.
  • For clinically trained fellows (e.g., clinical psychology, psychiatry, social work), engage in supervised clinical assessment and structured, manualized psychotherapy (e.g., exposure-based PTSD treatments) aligned with the fellow's training level and licensure trajectory.

Potential projects may focus on:
  • Pharmacologically augmented PTSD treatments, including trials combining evidence-based psychotherapies with medications that facilitate fear extinction or improve sleep.
  • Remote and in-lab fear conditioning and extinction paradigms using psychophysiological measures (EDA, EMG, HR/HRV, facial coding, remote PPG).
  • Insomnia and sleep disturbance in trauma-exposed populations, including women Veterans in the menopause transition.
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI), PTSD, and sleep as interacting risk factors for functional outcomes and cardiometabolic health.

Qualifications:
  • Doctoral degree (e.g., PhD, PsyD, MD, or equivalent) in clinical psychology, neuroscience, psychiatry, public health, or a closely related field at the time of appointment.
  • Demonstrated research productivity, including peer-reviewed publications or strong evidence of publishable work.
  • Strong interest in PTSD and trauma-related disorders, sleep/insomnia, TBI, fear learning/fear extinction, psychophysiology, and/or mechanistically informed interventions.
  • Prior experience with clinical research, clinical trials, psychophysiology, sleep research, and/or trauma-exposed populations is highly desirable but not strictly required for outstanding candidates.
  • For clinically trained applicants (e.g., clinical psychology, psychiatry, social work), prior experience with clinical assessment and/or evidence-based psychotherapy for PTSD or related conditions is a plus.
  • Strong quantitative, analytic, and writing skills; experience with tools such as R, Python, or MATLAB is desirable.
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team.

VA Onboarding Requirements:
NCIRE is an affiliate organization of the San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS), which requires all candidates to complete SFVA onboarding in addition to NCIRE's onboarding process. The SFVA is a federal agency that requires a federal background check, occupational health clearance, vaccines and immunizations, and drug testing for certain positions. Drug testing may include screening for marijuana which remains an illegal substance according to federal law. The failure to pass required drug testing will disqualify candidates from employment.
The base wage range for this position is $33.00 - $38.29 per hour. The wage actually offered to a successful candidate will take into account various relevant and non-discriminatory business factors including, without limitation, the candidate's geographic location, job-related experience, knowledge, and skills, and education, as well as internal equity considerations. A successful candidate may also be eligible to earn additional compensation including bonuses.
NCIRE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position requires access to United States Government research under the Veterans Administration. Per Veterans Administration regulations surrounding access to US research, qualified US Citizens will be selected over other individuals eligible to work in the United States. If you are eligible to work in the United States, you may still be considered for this position but only if no qualified US citizens apply.
Application Instructions
To apply, please complete your application in NCIRE's UltiPro system and email the following materials to Dr. Sabra Inslicht at sabra.inslicht@va.gov (with subject line: STaR Lab Postdoctoral Research Scholar Application):
  1. Letter of interest detailing your research experience, interests, and long-term career goals
  2. Curriculum vitae (CV)
  3. One to two representative publications or manuscripts (published or in preparation)
  4. Names and contact information for 3 references (letters may be requested at a later stage)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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