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Postdoctoral Data Scientist information

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$48.4K

$97.8K

$132.6K

How much do postdoctoral data scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral data scientist in Seattle, WA is $97,824.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,700.00 and $132,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a postdoctoral data scientist?

A Postdoctoral Data Scientist is a researcher who has completed their doctoral studies (PhD) and is engaged in advanced research and analysis involving large data sets. They often work in academic, government, or industry settings, applying statistical, computational, and machine learning techniques to solve complex problems. Their work may involve developing new methodologies, publishing research findings, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. Postdoctoral Data Scientists typically aim to expand their expertise and contribute to scientific knowledge before moving to more permanent positions.

What are some typical collaborative projects a postdoctoral data scientist might work on within a research team?

As a Postdoctoral Data Scientist, you can expect to work closely with both academic researchers and industry professionals on interdisciplinary projects. These collaborations often involve designing and implementing advanced data analysis pipelines, developing machine learning models, and interpreting complex datasets to extract actionable insights. You may also co-author scientific papers, contribute to grant proposals, and present findings at conferences. Collaboration is crucial, as you will regularly share your expertise with other scientists and provide guidance on best practices in data management and analysis.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a postdoctoral data scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Postdoctoral Data Scientist, you need advanced statistical analysis, machine learning expertise, and a PhD in a quantitative field such as computer science, statistics, or engineering. Familiarity with programming languages like Python or R, data visualization tools, and experience with big data platforms are typically required. Strong problem-solving, communication, and project management skills help you effectively collaborate across disciplines and present complex findings. These skills ensure you can drive impactful research, translate data into actionable insights, and contribute to scientific and organizational goals.

What is the difference between Postdoctoral Data Scientist vs Data Scientist?

AspectPostdoctoral Data ScientistData Scientist
Required CredentialsPhD in Data Science, Computer Science, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's degree in relevant field, often with industry experience
Work EnvironmentAcademic or research institutions, labsCorporate, tech companies, startups
Employer & Industry UsageResearch-focused roles, academia collaborationsProduct development, analytics, business intelligence
Common Search & ComparisonResearch, academic projects, postdoctoral rolesIndustry projects, data analysis, machine learning applications

Postdoctoral Data Scientists typically hold a PhD and work in research or academic settings, focusing on advanced data analysis and experimentation. Data Scientists usually have a bachelor's or master's degree and work in industry, applying data analysis and machine learning to solve business problems. The roles differ mainly in work environment and experience level, but both require strong analytical skills and familiarity with data tools.

What are popular job titles related to Postdoctoral Data Scientist jobs in Seattle, WA?

For Postdoctoral Data Scientist jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Postdoctoral Data Scientist jobs in Seattle, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Postdoctoral Data Scientist jobs in Seattle, WA are:

Postdoctoral Data Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Data Scientist job openings in Seattle, WA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,824 per year, or $47 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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Learn more about University of Washingtonexternal

$6.4K/mo

Full-time

Re-posted 22 hours 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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