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Postdoctoral Associate information

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$47.5K

$96.1K

$130.2K

How much do postdoctoral associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral associate in Sammamish, WA is $96,096.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,600.00 and $129,700.00 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 Sammamish, WA are hiring for Postdoctoral Associate jobs?

Cities near Sammamish, WA with the most Postdoctoral Associate job openings:

Postdoctoral Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Associate job openings in Sammamish, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,096 per year, or $46.2 per hour.

Postdoctoral Scholar in Planetary Sciences and Astrobiology

Seattle, WA • On-site

University of Washington
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 10K+ employees

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$6.4K/mo

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Description
The Department of Earth and Spaces Sciences at the University of Washington seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar to work on numerical simulations and data analysis to inform the search for life on exoplanets. The position will be supervised by Professors David Catling and Joshua Krissansen-Totton. This theory project is funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and does not depend on federal grants.
The postdoctoral associate will work in collaboration with supervisors and other scientists to study how global biospheres alter planetary processes in ways that are remotely detectable. This research will involve:
  • Using biogeochemical evolutionary models to simulate lifeless and inhabited worlds, and
  • Developing disequilibrium-, redox-, and information-based metrics to understand and quantify the influence of life on planetary environments.

The research will also involve opportunities to collaborate with personnel in the Virtual Planetary Laboratory (based in UW Astronomy) to examine the detectability of such signs of life with future telescopes. The candidate will also have opportunities for further collaboration and career development.
Who We Are
The candidate will work within planetary sciences in the Dept. of Earth and Space Sciences, which has four broad research areas: the solid earth, surface processes, geobiology, and space/planetary sciences. The group involved in the postdoc project are also part of the cross-campus Astrobiology Program, and the postdoctoral scholar would be part of this broader interdisciplinary environment. We seek a postdoc who would make the most of available collaborative opportunities.
Responsibilities:
Write and run evolutionary biogeochemical numerical models to simulate lifeless and inhabited worlds, and develop disequilibrium-, redox-, and information-based metrics to understand and quantify the influence of life on planetary environments. A successful candidate will conduct research that results in publication in the open literature and participation in national or international meetings. Some mentoring of graduate and undergraduate student researchers is expected.
Compensation
This is a full-time appointment. The base salary range for this position will be $6,498 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.
Employee benefits will be provided. The position initially runs for one year subject to possible renewal for up to 3 years. The position is available immediately, but the exact start date for the position is negotiable. A start date as soon as possible is highly desirable.
Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website at https://hr.uw.edu/labor
Qualifications
University of Washington postdoctoral scholar appointments are for a temporary, defined period not to exceed five years/60 months, including any previous postdoctoral experience.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • The candidate must have a PhD in a relevant field, such as planetary science, physics, chemistry, geology, Earth sciences, or geophysics, and must not have exceeded two years previous work at the postdoctoral level at start of appointment.
  • Coding experience in a scientific computing language is desirable (e.g., Python, MATLAB, R, IDL, Fortran, etc.)
  • The candidate should have an aptitude for theoretical/numerical modeling and have appropriate associated skills, including statistical analysis of data or model outputs.
  • The candidate must have a strong interest in astrobiology. They must possess the self-confidence and interest to learn aspects of different fields or new skills, as needed, to solve research questions.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Ideally, candidates will have experience with - or the confidence to learn - numerical modeling of planetary atmospheres, thermodynamics, and equilibrium chemistry.

Application Instructions
Submit the following materials via Interfolio:
1) A letter of introduction that explains the interest in the research (2 pages max.)
2) CV including a list of publications
3) The names and contact information of three references.
Applications received before September 15th, 2025 will receive higher priority but the position will remain open for applications beyond this date until filled. Interested candidates may contact Profs. David Catling (dcatling@uw.edu) and Joshua Krissansen-Totton (joshkt@uw.edu) with questions.

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