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Postdoctoral Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Postdoctoral Associate information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$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 - Battery Modeling, Electrochemistry, and AI

Postdoctoral Appointee - Battery Modeling, Electrochemistry, and AI

Argonne National Laboratory

Lemont, IL

$72K - $121K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

We invite applications for aPostdoctoral Appointeeposition in theChemical Sciences and Engineering Division (CSE)at Argonne National Laboratory.

Working under the guidance of a supervisor, the successful candidate will conduct research focused onmeso- and macroscale mathematical modeling of next-generation batteries, while leveraging advancedartificial intelligence (AI) toolsto accelerate scientific discovery. Research areas includesolid-state batteries with lithium and sodium metal anodes, as well as themorphology evolution of materialscoupled with electrochemical and mechanical phenomena.

The selected candidate will developcomputational models at the mesoscale and/or macroscalebased on the principles ofmass, momentum, and energy conservationto describe processes such asmorphological change, dendrite growth, side reactions, delamination, and related behavior in hard and soft materials. A strong emphasis will be placed on theintegration of AI methods and agentic workflowsinto model development and scientific analysis.

This position offers the opportunity to collaborate closely withexperimental teamsworking in areas such aselectrochemical characterization and synchrotron analysis, as well as withtheoretical researchersspecializing inatomistic simulation, density functional theory (DFT), and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD). The successful candidate will also engage with collaborators across Argonne, other national laboratories, universities, and international research institutions.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop mesoscale and/or macroscale computational models for battery materials and processes

  • Implement models and perform numerical simulations

  • Analyze and interpret simulation and experimental data

  • Integrate AI tools and workflows to enhance modeling and accelerate learning

  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary experimental and theoretical research teams

  • Prepare manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals

  • Present research findings at scientific conferences and meetings

  • Prepare reports, presentations, and technical summaries for group meetings and sponsor reporting requirements

Position Requirements

  • Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (within the last 0-5 years) in field of Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related field

  • A deep understanding ofelectrochemistry, electrochemical engineering, and battery science

  • Strong experience in developing computational models based onmass, momentum, and energy balance principles

  • Strong skills in applyingAI tools and agentic workflowsto scientific research

  • Some experience in proposing, planning, and designing experiments

  • Demonstrated ability to process, analyze, and interpret research results

  • Strong skill in formulating and solving scientific problems

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills

  • Ability to model Argonne's core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork

Job Family

Postdoctoral

Job Profile

Postdoctoral Appointee

Worker Type

Long-Term (Fixed Term)

Time Type

Full timeThe 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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