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Postdoctoral Associate Jobs in Indianapolis, IN (NOW HIRING)

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Postdoctoral Associate information

See Indianapolis, IN salary details

$40.6K

$82.2K

$111.4K

How much do postdoctoral associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral associate in Indianapolis, IN is $82,166.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,500.00 and $110,900.00 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 Indianapolis, IN are hiring for Postdoctoral Associate jobs?

Cities near Indianapolis, IN with the most Postdoctoral Associate job openings:

Postdoctoral Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Associate job openings in Indianapolis, IN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,166 per year, or $39.5 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate - AI-Driven Software & Systems Research

Purdue University

Indianapolis, IN • On-site

$50K - $60K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago

Purdue University rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 136 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

313th of 622 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate - AI-Driven Software & Systems Research
City: Indianapolis
Job Description:
Overview
Postdoctoral Research Associate Positions
AI-Driven Software & Systems Research
The newly established Intelligent Software & Systems Center (ISC) in the College of Engineering at Purdue University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position in the broad area of AI-driven software and systems research. These are highly collaborative positions offering the opportunity to help shape a new interdisciplinary research center at one of the nation's leading engineering institutions.
The appointments are expected to begin in Fall 2026 and are initially for 2 years, with possible extension depending on performance and funding availability.
VISION
Position Purdue as a national leader in AI-driven software and systems research spanning edge computing, cloud and distributed systems, high-performance computing (HPC), autonomous software infrastructures, and AI-enabled engineering systems.
RESEARCH AREAS
Area 1 - AI for Programming Systems
Research topics include AI-assisted compilation and optimization, intelligent runtime systems, code generation and transformation, HPC, parallel and distributed computing, compiler infrastructures, heterogeneous systems, and autonomous system optimization.
Desired expertise includes compilers, runtime systems, programming languages, HPC, systems for AI/ML, performance optimization, and distributed systems.
Area 2 - AI for Software Engineering
Research topics include AI-assisted software development, intelligent software architecture and design, automated testing and verification, code generation and repair, DevOps and deployment
automation, software maintenance and evolution, software reliability and security, and self-adaptive software systems.
Desired expertise includes software engineering, AI for SE, software architecture, testing and QA, DevOps, software security, software analytics, program analysis, and automated software engineering.
About ISC
ISC is a newly founded research center within the College of Engineering at Purdue University. The center aims to pioneer the next generation of intelligent software systems that are adaptive, efficient, trustworthy, and capable of continuous self-improvement.
ISC will serve as a cross-disciplinary hub connecting researchers in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, High-Performance Computing, and related areas to accelerate innovation in intelligent software technologies.
Responsibilities
• Conduct cutting-edge research aligned with ISC's strategic directions
• Publish in top-tier conferences and journals
• Collaborate with faculty, students, and industry partners
• Contribute to interdisciplinary research initiatives
• Help coordinate research activities and community-building efforts within ISC
• Assist with proposal development and collaborative projects
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students
Compensation and Benefits
• Competitive salary: $50,000-$60,000/year plus benefits
• Full Purdue employee benefits package
• Professional travel support for conferences and collaborations
• Access to Purdue's advanced computing and research infrastructure
• Opportunities for collaboration across Purdue's West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses
Location
The position spans Purdue's two rapidly growing Indiana campuses:
West Lafayette, Indiana - Home to Purdue's flagship campus and internationally recognized engineering and computing programs.
Indianapolis, Indiana - A vibrant urban innovation hub with strong connections to industry, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and technology ecosystems.
Postdoctoral researchers will have workspace access at both locations and may choose one campus as their primary workplace while collaborating regularly with researchers at the other campus.
Qualifications
Applicants should have:
• A Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field by the start date
• Strong publication record or demonstrated research potential
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary environments
Application Materials
Interested applicants should submit:
1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Research statement
3. Representative publications
4. Contact information for 2-3 references
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.
For inquiries, please contact: Xipeng Shen (shen810@purdue.edu)

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