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Postdoctoral Associate Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Howard University

Postdoctoral Fellow

Washington, DC · On-site

$53K/yr

The Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Associate will be responsible for conducting experiments, data analyses, presentations, and publications, following the Principal Investigator's instructions and ...

Howard

Postdoctoral Fellow

Washington, DC · On-site

$53K/yr

The Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Associate will be responsible for conducting experiments, data analyses, presentations, and publications, following the Principal Investigator's instructions and ...

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Postdoctoral Associate information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$43.9K

$88.9K

$120.4K

How much do postdoctoral associate jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral associate in Silver Spring, MD is $88,863.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,900.00 and $119,900.00 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 Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Postdoctoral Associate jobs?

Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Postdoctoral Associate job openings:

Postdoctoral Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Associate job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,863 per year, or $42.7 per hour.

NIST PREP Postdoctoral Research Associate in Electron Microscopy

Southeastern Universities Research Association

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

$82K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.
Research Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Electron Microscopy
The work will entail:NIST is actively seeking a candidate for a postdoctoral research position as part of a project related to the CHIPS for America Act. The project seeks to develop quantitative, atomic-resolution methods for the three-dimensional characterization of complex semiconductor devices via electron tomography. By coupling advance specimen preparation, cutting-edge electron microscopy instrumentation, and AI-driven data collection and reconstruction, we will deliver a robust suite of measurement tools to the semiconductor industry.
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
  • Sample preparation via focused ion beam methods
  • Collecting and processing of TEM tomography data
  • Presenting results at internal meetings, and occasional meetings with external stakeholders.
  • Ensuring that results, protocols, software, and documentation have been archived or otherwise transmitted to the larger organization.

Qualifications
  • PhD. in Physics, Materials Science, or a related field with a concentration in electron microscopy methods
  • Experience in the collection and processing of TEM/STEM data
  • Computer programming for custom data processing
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.

Privacy Act StatementAuthority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)
Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.
PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program.
Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.
Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated. By applying to a CHIPS-funded PREP opportunity, you also acknowledge that participation in the project requires signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to beginning any work.
SURA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, or sexual orientation. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.
PREP0003933

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