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Postdoctoral Data Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Postdoctoral Data Scientist information

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$42.5K

$86K

$116.5K

How much do postdoctoral data scientist jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral data scientist 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 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 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 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 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.

More about Postdoctoral Data Scientist jobs
What cities are hiring for Postdoctoral Data Scientist jobs? Cities with the most Postdoctoral Data Scientist job openings:
What states have the most Postdoctoral Data Scientist jobs? States with the most job openings for Postdoctoral Data Scientist jobs include:
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Data Scientist job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 3% Full Time, 91% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $85,959 per year, or $41.3 per hour.
Postdoctoral Research Associate

Postdoctoral Research Associate

UNC-Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC

Full-time

Medical, Vision, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 48 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

262nd of 530 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Posting Details
Department School of Data Sci and Society - 397100 Posting Open Date 04/13/2026 Application Deadline 06/15/2026 Open Until Filled No Position Type Postdoctoral Scholar Position Title Postdoctoral Research Associate Vacancy ID PDS004832 Full-time/Part-time Full-Time Temporary Hours per week 40 FTE 1 Work Location Chapel Hill, NC Position Location North Carolina, US Hiring Range $62,000 - $65,000, dependent on experience Proposed Start Date 08/03/2026 Estimated Duration of Appointment 12 Months
Position Information
Be a Tar Heel!
A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities and is among is the top ten research universities in the nation for federal research expenditures as well as for federally funded social and behavioral sciences research and development.
Here at Carolina, our highly skilled postdocs play a vital role in our research enterprise and towards our overall commitment to research excellence. Across many disciplines, postdocs contribute to the intellectual vitality of the University. They provide innovative ideas and perspectives, foster a stimulating research environment and advance knowledge within their fields. Postdocs are crucial members of our scientific research workforce, contributors to our research outputs and an important reason why Carolina is one of the leading public research institutions in the country.
UNC-Chapel Hill offers postdocs comprehensive medical and vision coverage, paid leave, and benefits and services that support professional development and a healthy work/life balance. Chapel Hill regularly ranks as one of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, a reputation guided by the diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The School of Data and Information Sciences (SDIS) was founded in 2026 by joining the School of Information and Library Science (1931) and the School of Data Science and Society (2022). SDIS brings together longstanding excellence in information and library science with leadership in data science, including computational and statistical methods, and societal applications.  
Home to a top ranked library and information science program, SDIS is recognized for strong teaching, research and service and is the home to the Carolina Health Informatics Program (CHIP) and the Center for Information, Technology and Public Life (CITAP). The School teaches and trains undergraduate and graduate students in data science, health informatics, information science and library science, as well as offers certificates for adult learners. 
SDIS conducts research and scholarship across the data and information life cycle, with an emphasis on human-centric, ethical and applied approaches. Committed to data, information and AI literacy for all Tar Heels, SDIS faculty are tackling our communities' most pressing needs and our world's most intractable challenges.  
Position Summary
The Zikry Lab at UNC-Chapel Hill is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our group at the intersection of statistical methodology, machine learning, and biomedical data science. Our research develops rigorous and interpretable methods for high-dimensional biomedical data, with applications spanning cancer genomics, neuroscience, and precision medicine. The postdoctoral fellow will join a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment within the School of Data and Information Sciences, with opportunities to work with researchers across the UNC scientific community in units such as the Computational Medicine Program and the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The postdoctoral fellow will play a central role in advancing new statistical and machine learning methodology. Areas of focus include (but are not limited to):
* Clustering and unsupervised learning
* Dimension reduction and manifold learning
* High-dimensional inference and feature selection
* Generative modeling and digital twins
* Reliability and interpretability of ML methods
The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for teaching at most one class per semester (an existing 100-level data science course with lecture and evaluation material provided). Based on teaching needs, this may be changed to one class per academic year.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Ph.D. (or foreign equivalent) in statistics, mathematics, biostatistics, bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field of study.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
N/A
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Experience in statistical modeling and biomedical data analysis is a plus. Evidence of research productivity (publications, presentations, software) is preferred.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
N/A
Special Instructions
For information on being a postdoc at UNC, please click here - https://research.unc.edu/postdocs/prospective/.
Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/315941
Posting Contact Information
Department Contact Name and Title Beth Mayo, HR Director Department Contact Telephone or Email beth.mayo@unc.edu Postdoctoral Affairs Contact Information
If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University's Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at (919) 962-9982 or send an email to opahr@unc.edu.
Please note: The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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About University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill), located in Chapel Hill, NC, US, is renowned for being one of the leading research institutes in the world. Operating within the education industry, this public research university offers a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across various disciplines. UNC-Chapel Hill was chartered in 1789 and has maintained its legacy of academic excellence and innovative research for more than two centuries. The institution operates under the core values of excellence, innovation, engagement, accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity. Their mission is to serve the people of North Carolina and the United States by teaching a diverse community of students to become the next generation of leaders.

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Year founded

1789