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Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in California

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Postdoctoral Research Associate information

See California salary details

$41.9K

$84.8K

$115K

How much do postdoctoral research associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral research associate in California is $84,834.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,300.00 and $114,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a postdoctoral research associate?

A Postdoctoral Research Associate, often called a postdoc, is a person who has recently completed their doctoral studies (PhD or equivalent) and is engaged in scholarly research as part of a temporary position, usually at a university or research institution. The role is designed to deepen their expertise in a specific field, contribute to research projects, publish academic papers, and develop skills for future independent research or academic positions. Postdocs typically work under the supervision of a principal investigator (PI) and may also mentor graduate or undergraduate students.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a postdoctoral research associate?

To thrive as a Postdoctoral Research Associate, you need an advanced degree (typically a Ph.D.) in a relevant field, strong research methodology skills, and a track record of scholarly publications. Familiarity with specialized laboratory equipment, data analysis software, or programming languages is often required, depending on the research area. Excellent problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and effective written and verbal communication set outstanding candidates apart. These skills are crucial for producing high-quality research, contributing to scientific advancement, and securing future academic or industry positions.

What is the difference between Postdoctoral Research Associate vs Research Scientist?

AspectPostdoctoral Research AssociateResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsDoctoral degree (Ph.D.) in relevant fieldMaster's or Ph.D., often with more industry experience
Work EnvironmentAcademic or research institutions, labsIndustry, corporate R&D, or academic settings
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, government labs, research institutesPrivate companies, biotech, pharma, tech firms
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Postdoctoral Research Associates typically hold a Ph.D. and work in academic or research institutions focusing on specialized research projects. Research Scientists often have similar credentials but may work in industry settings with broader responsibilities, including product development and applied research. The main difference lies in the work environment and career stage, with Postdoctoral Research Associates usually in early career research roles and Research Scientists in more advanced, industry-focused positions.

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

Postdoctoral Research Associates often encounter challenges such as balancing multiple research projects, securing independent funding, and developing a unique research identity separate from their advisor. Navigating the transition also involves building professional networks and gaining experience in grant writing, mentoring, and publishing as a lead author. Proactively seeking mentorship and collaborating across disciplines can help ease these challenges and support a successful move to an independent research career.

What is a postdoctoral research associate?

Postdoctoral research associates are professionals who have completed their doctorate and are continuing their research to gain hands-on experience before starting their academic careers. Their duties usually include researching with the support of a small team and writing papers for academic journals. Depending on the field of research, a postdoctoral research associate may also have other responsibilities. These positions are typically short-term.

What are the most commonly searched types of Postdoctoral Research jobs in California? The most popular types of Postdoctoral Research jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs? Cities in California with the most Postdoctoral Research Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Research Associate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,834 per year, or $40.8 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$65K - $72K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

Re-posted 27 days ago


University Of Southern California rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

95th of 615 rated colleges and universities


Job description

The USC Neural Modeling and Interface Lab (https://slab.usc.edu/) directed by Prof. Dong Song seek a highly motivated postdoctoral scholar for a leading role in developing and testing cortical interfaces and prostheses in behaving animals. The goal of Song lab is to develop brain-like devices that can mimic and restore cognitive functions. To pursue this goal, we use a combined experimental and computational strategy to (1) understand how nervous systems such as the hippocampus perform higher-order cognitive functions, (2) develop next-generation modeling and neural interface methodologies to investigate brain functions during naturalistic behaviors, and (3) build cortical prostheses that can restore cognitive functions lost in diseases or injuries.


The position is with the Department of Biomedical Engineering in the Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, CA. The Viterbi School is one of the top schools of engineering in the United States. USC is one of the world's leading private research universities and the oldest private research university in California.


This is a 12 month, fixed-term position with the possibility of additional years conditional upon performance and funding availability. Postdoctoral scholars receive a comprehensive benefits packaging including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, among many other benefits.


Candidates should have the following qualifications: (1) PhD from a top university with demonstrated research activity in neuroscience or neural engineering; (2) prior research experience in electrophysiological recording from behaving animals. Prior research experience in computational neuroscience is highly preferred; (3) excellent communication skills that can be demonstrated through their research publications and presentations. Specific responsibilities include:


Design and perform electrophysiological and behavioral experiments in rodents
Design and test multi-electrode arrays for behaving animal recording and stimulation
Mentor and train junior team members
Create technical reports, presentations, and documentation associated with the research and meetings. Publish research articles in peer-reviewed conferences and journals and present at conferences

The annual base salary range for this position is $65,500 - $72,200. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope of responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.


Review of applications will be immediately and continue until the position is filled. Interested candidates should submit a CV and the names and contact information of three professional references as a single pdf file attachment to:


Dong Song, Ph.D.
Director, USC Neural Modeling and Interface Lab
Research Associate Professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Neuroscience Graduate Program
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089-1451
E-mail: dsong@usc.edu

.

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USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email atuschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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About University of Southern California

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The University of Southern California (USC) is not a conventional company, but a private research university established in the heart of Los Angeles, CA, US. Founded in 1880, it's one of the oldest private research universities in California. USC operates in the education industry providing primary services of higher education, research, and community development. This prestigious institution offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across various disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The University is guided by its commitment to foster creativity, innovation, leadership, and discovery through academic excellence.

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