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Postdoctoral Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Postdoctoral Associate information

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$43.8K

$88.6K

$120.1K

How much do postdoctoral associate jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral associate in Chicago, IL is $88,621.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,700.00 and $119,600.00 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 near Chicago, IL are hiring for Postdoctoral Associate jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Postdoctoral Associate job openings:
Postdoctoral Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Associate job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,621 per year, or $42.6 per hour.
Postdoctoral Appointee - Bioprocesses and Separation Technologies

Postdoctoral Appointee - Bioprocesses and Separation Technologies

Argonne National Laboratory

Lemont, IL • On-site

$72K - $121K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Appointee position in the Separations and Bioprocessing Group within the Applied Materials Division at Argonne National Laboratory. The successful applicant will conduct advanced research to develop, evaluate, and scale efficient and cost-effective bioprocess technologies that improve resource and energy utilization, reduce dependence on imported materials, and strengthen national energy security.
The Postdoctoral Appointee will contribute significantly to ongoing research efforts in resource valorization. Specifically, the candidate will optimize, and scale up (0.5 to 400 L) arrested methanogenesis systems to convert diverse low-value organic waste streams into value-added products (e.g., carboxylic acids), and support the development and scale-up of advanced bioleaching processes for recovery of critical minerals from secondary materials
The candidate will design and execute experiments; operate, monitor, and troubleshoot bench- and pilot-scale bioreactors; collect, analyze, and interpret biological, chemical, and microbial omics data; and integrate results to evaluate process performance and scalability. The candidate will contribute to process modeling and techno-economic assessment as appropriate. The candidate will work independently under general guidance, collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team environment, and prepare technical reports, publish findings in peer-reviewed journals, and present results at scientific conferences.
Position Requirements
  • Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (typically completed within the last 0-5 years) in Chemical Engineering, Environmental engineering, Bioengineering, or a closely related field, with 0 to 5 years of experience, or the equivalent experience through practical application in a laboratory.
  • Demonstrated expertise in bioprocess development and scale-up, including installation, modification, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of bench- and pilot-scale bioreactor systems.
  • Extensive hands-on experience with analytical characterization of bioprocess samples, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography (GC), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy or mass spectrometry (ICP-OES/MS).
  • Demonstrated experience in microbiological techniques, including microbial cultivation under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, strain maintenance and preservation (e.g., glycerol stocks, subculturing), aseptic technique, and operation under BSL-1 and BSL-2 containment requirements.
  • Experience with microbial molecular biology techniques, including DNA/RNA extraction and analysis of sequencing-based omics data.
  • Experience in bioreactor configuration, inline/online sensor integration, and PID-based process control; familiarity with bioreactor automation systems and troubleshooting.
  • Experience handling hazardous chemicals and operating laboratory and pilot-scale systems in compliance with safety protocols.
  • Familiarity with process modeling (e.g., Aspen Plus, SuperPro Designer) and techno-economic analysis of biofuels, bioproducts, and biomaterials.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.
  • Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Ability to work independently on a day-to-day basis.
  • Willingness to work a non-standard schedule to accommodate testing needs, including occasional afternoons and weekends.
  • Skilled in interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
  • Ability to model Argonne's Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
  • This position requires an on-site presence at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois, five days per week.

Job Family
Postdoctoral
Job Profile
Postdoctoral Appointee
Worker Type
Long-Term (Fixed Term)
Time Type
Full time
The 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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