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Postdoctoral Research Assistant Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

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Postdoctoral Research Assistant information

See Arizona salary details

$39.6K

$80.1K

$108.6K

How much do postdoctoral research assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral research assistant in Arizona is $80,105.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,200.00 and $108,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Postdoctoral Research Assistant, you need a PhD in a relevant field, strong analytical and experimental skills, and a solid record of academic research. Familiarity with domain-specific laboratory techniques, data analysis software like MATLAB or R, and experience with academic publishing are typically required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively help you stand out. These skills are essential for producing high-quality research, disseminating findings, and contributing effectively to scientific teams.

What are some common challenges faced by postdoctoral research assistants when transitioning to independent research roles?

One common challenge for Postdoctoral Research Assistants is balancing the demands of supporting their supervisor's projects while developing their own independent research ideas. Navigating grant applications, building a publication record, and establishing professional networks can also be daunting. Additionally, adapting to new institutional cultures and expectations, especially when moving between universities or countries, requires flexibility and strong communication skills. Proactively seeking mentorship and collaborating with colleagues can help ease this transition and set the stage for a successful independent research career.

What is the difference between Postdoctoral Research Assistant vs Research Fellow?

AspectPostdoctoral Research AssistantResearch Fellow
Required credentialsPhD or equivalentPhD or equivalent, often with additional experience
Work environmentResearch labs, universities, academic settingsResearch projects, academic institutions, sometimes independent
Employer and industry usageUniversities, research institutesUniversities, research organizations, sometimes industry
Common search and comparison intentUnderstanding entry-level research rolesAdvanced research roles, independent research

The main difference between a Postdoctoral Research Assistant and a Research Fellow lies in experience level and independence. Postdoctoral Research Assistants typically work under supervision on specific projects, while Research Fellows often have more independence and may lead their own research. Both roles require a PhD and are common in academic and research settings.

What is a postdoctoral research assistant?

A Postdoctoral Research Assistant is a researcher who has recently completed their doctoral studies (PhD) and is engaged in further academic or scientific research. Their primary role is to conduct independent or collaborative research projects, often under the supervision of senior academics or principal investigators. Postdoctoral Research Assistants contribute to publications, grant writing, and may also mentor graduate or undergraduate students. This position is typically temporary and is designed to provide additional training and experience before transitioning to more permanent academic or research roles.

What are the most commonly searched types of Postdoctoral Research jobs in Arizona?

The most popular types of Postdoctoral Research jobs in Arizona are:

What cities in Arizona are hiring for Postdoctoral Research Assistant jobs?

Cities in Arizona with the most Postdoctoral Research Assistant job openings:

Postdoctoral Research Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Research Assistant job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,105 per year, or $38.5 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago

University Of Arizona rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 68 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

361st of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate
Posting Number
req26319
Department
Psychiatry
Department Website Link
https://medicine.arizona.edu/psychiatry
Location
Tucson Campus
Address
Tucson, AZ USA
Position Highlights
The College of Medicine Department of Psychiatry is now considering applications for a Post-Doctoral level associate. We are leading the effort to understand, diagnose, treat, and prevent psychiatric disorders, prepare future clinicians, provide state-of-the-art care, and give direction to community efforts to improve behavioral health. William "Scott" Killgore, PhD, is a Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience that joined the University of Arizona July 1, 2014. He brings an active research program from Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, including his Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience (SCAN) Laboratory. The Lab is devoted to the study of emotional intelligence, PTSD, mTBI, stress and related conditions. Dr. Killgore's innovative work is funded by the Department of Defense, and recent research focuses on effects of prolonged sleep deprivation, chronic sleep restriction, and the use of stimulant countermeasures on the cognitive-affective systems within the brain. A Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available within the Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory directed by William "Scott" Killgore, PhD. https://scanlab.arizona.edu/ This position is focused on the area of emotional intelligence training and will work alongside Dr. Killgore to lead a study on the efficacy and refinement of an online emotional intelligence training program. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work collaboratively with the Study Coordinator, Lab Manager, and Principal Investigator to play an integral role in all aspects of this research project.
Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more! The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.
Duties & Responsibilities
  • Design emotional intelligence training materials.
  • Write protocols, reports, and grants.
  • Oversee overall study coordination including subject recruitment, research technician training and education.
  • Administer emotional, personality, and psychophysiological assessments.
  • Conduct statistical analysis of behavioral, psychophysiological, and neuroimaging data.
  • Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and other venues.
  • Travel and assist with aspects of project that are conducted at remote sites, as necessary, and various other duties or projects as assigned.

Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Technological knowledge base in graphic design, computer programming and/or user interface design.
  • Skilled in developing web-based intervention platforms.
  • Background in computational methods used in neuroimaging (e.g., Matlab, UNIX, LINUX, C/C++, SPM, AFNI, Freesurfer, FSL, TrackVis,CONN).
  • Exceptional skills in experimental design, quantitative methods, and statistical analysis, and the ability to carry out independent data manipulation and sophisticated statistical analyses using standard software packages (e.g., SPSS, R, STATA, BMDP, JMP, SAS).

Minimum Qualifications
  • Ph.D. in psychology, affective neuroscience, cognitive/social neuroscience, and/or other related field.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Background in studying emotional/social processes using psychophysiological (e.g., EEG, skin conductance, heart rate variability, biomarkers) or neuroimaging (e.g., fMRI, DTI, VBM, PET, connectivity) methods.
  • Background in computational methods used in neuroimaging (e.g., Matlab, UNIX, LINUX, C/C++, SPM, AFNI, Freesurfer, FSL, TrackVis,CONN).
  • Strong peer-reviewed publication record in the area of emotional intelligence, social cognition, or affective neuroscience.
  • History of work on projects relating to emotional intelligence, emotional/social cognition, and/or affective neuroscience.
  • Demonstrated solid mastery of written English. -Interest in sleep research.
  • Experience in neuroimaging and/or psychophysiological data collection and analysis.

FLSA
Exempt
Full Time/Part Time
Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week
40
Job FTE
1.0
Work Calendar
Fiscal
Job Category
Research
Benefits Eligible
Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay
NIH salary guidelines, Depends on Experience
Compensation Type
salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Type of criminal background check required:
Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies
1
Target Hire Date
Expected End Date
Contact Information for Candidates
Sarah Green srgreen1@arizona.edu
Open Date
6/22/2026
Open Until Filled
Yes
Documents Needed to Apply
Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Cover Letter
Special Instructions to Applicant
Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.

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