1

Postdoctoral Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Details Position Information Recruitment/Posting Title Postdoctoral Associate Department Advanced Biotechnology & Medic Salary Details A minimum of $63,968 for calendar year appointments ...

Postdoctoral Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 536409 Work type: Research Faculty Senior management: College of Engineering Department: Chemical Engineering Location: Blacksburg ...

Postdoctoral Associate

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$50K - $55K/yr

The postdoctoral associate will employ state-of-the-art experimental techniques, innovative methodologies, and/or numerical models to make fundamental advances to existing literature. Duties will ...

Postdoctoral Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 534769 Work type: Research Faculty Senior management: College of Science Department: Physics Location: Blacksburg, Virginia Categories:

As a Postdoctoral Associate in Pediatrics / Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, you will be a vital part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment advancing discovery to improve infant ...

Showing results 21-40

Postdoctoral Associate information

See salary details

$42.5K

$86K

$116.5K

How much do postdoctoral associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral associate in the United States is $85,959.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,000.00 and $116,000.00 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 are hiring for Postdoctoral Associate jobs?

Cities with the most Postdoctoral Associate job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Postdoctoral Associate jobs?

The top employers for Postdoctoral Associate jobs are:

What states have the most Postdoctoral Associate jobs?

States with the most job openings for Postdoctoral Associate jobs include:

Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Associate job openings in the United States as of August 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 $85,959 per year, or $41.3 per hour.

Postdoctoral Associate

Cambridge, MA • On-site


Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 10K+ employees

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 39 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

45th of 627 rated colleges and universities

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

Description
The MIT Sloan School of Management and Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) in the Schwarzman School of Computing jointly seek to hire a Postdoctoral Associate, beginning in Summer 2025 to lead collaborative projects on generative AI and reasoning,
The appointment is for one year starting Summer 2025 (flexible start date), with the possibility of renewal for a second year. The Postdoctoral Associate should expect to work from Cambridge, MA for the duration of the appointment, with some potential for travel. The position is eligible for MIT benefits.
The selected candidate will provide supervision and guidance to students, and researchers while engaging in activities that support the general mission of MIT Sloan and SERC. The Postdoctoral Associate will also collaborate with other post docs, SERC scholars, and instructors.
About Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC)
The Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) is facilitating the development of responsible "habits of mind and action" for those who create and deploy computing technologies and foster the creation of technologies in the public interest. Through a teaching, research and engagement framework, SERC is working to train students, encourage research to assess the broad challenges and opportunities associated with computing, and improve design, policy, implementation, and impacts. For more details about this cross-cutting program, please see our website.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
The postdoc's time will be allotted as such:
o 50% towards ongoing and new applied research projects under the supervision of Professors Sertac Karaman and Eric So;
o Approximately 25% of time allotted for independent research.
o Approximately 20 of time allotted for participating in SERC's community-building activities and programming, including to lead a SERC Scholar Group throughout the academic year.
o Additional responsibilities as determined by organizational needs.
Supervision Received:
The position works closely with Professors Sertac Karaman and Eric So. Position requires ability to perform with minimal supervision.
Supervision Exercised:
No direct reports. May monitor the academic work of research associates and graduate research assistants involved in specific projects.
Qualifications
1. A Ph.D. in Computer Science or other related field required.
2. Advanced quantitative methods training with expertise in experiments, identification, and causal inference required. Qualitative fieldwork experience is also preferred.
3. Proven record of academic excellence, research achievement and publication that contributes to the study of the above areas.
4. Attention to detail; self-motivation and ability to work on projects independently; proven ability to handle multiple projects concurrently and meet deadlines.
5. Demonstrated proficiency in Python and willingness to contribute to open-source.
Application Instructions
Please provide the following as compiled in one attachment:
1. Cover letter
2. CV
3. Research statement of primary research interests including ongoing and planned projects (3-5 pages)
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide three letters of reference.
Priority review will be given to application materials submitted through careers.mit.edu.


What Massachusetts Institute Of Technology employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom