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Postdoctoral Research Associate information

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$41.9K

$84.8K

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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.

More about Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs
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:
Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs near you
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 Scholar Research Associate

USC Gould School of Law

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$54K - $77K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Postdoctoral Scholar - Research Associate

Keck School of Medicine

Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine

There is an exciting new opportunity at the University of Southern California for highly motivated candidates committed to developing a career in genomics, epigenomics, or bioinformatics. The Postdoctoral Scholar - Research Associate will analyze in-house generated sequencing datasets and integrate multi-dimensional large-scale omics datasets available (dry lab). The trainee is expected to lead multiple research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator and s/he will be a part of the collaborative research team at USC.Due to the collaborative, multi-lab nature of this project, it is essential that the applicant have excellent organizational and communication skills. The postdoctoral trainees will be encouraged to submit their own fellowship and grant applications during their period of training.

Responsibilities and Duties

  • Installing and maintaining existing open-source software
  • Building computational infrastructure and systems to support the software
  • Writing novel scripts to analyze next-generation sequencing datasets
  • Developing web-based applications and tools to facilitate data analysis
  • Preparing presentations and publishing scientific manuscripts under the direction of the Principal Investigator
  • Responsible for teaching other lab members

Preferred Qualifications

  • Possess a PhD or be close to the completion of a PhD or DPhil in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or Data Science in a relevant field (e.g. Biology with strong quantitative training in bioinformatics)
  • Background and work knowledge in scientific computing, algorithms, and machine learning or statistics is required
  • Familiarity with R or Python, and the Unix (Linux) environment is required
  • Skills in other programming languages (e.g. perl or java) is a plus
  • Experience in analyzing and annotating large omics data sets, both in exploratory and pipelined fashions is a plus

To Apply

  • Send a CV to Dr. Rhie (rhie@usc.edu), from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and the Genomic and Epigenomic Regulation Program in the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.
  • Complete the Workday application
Minimum education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate within previous three years
Minimum experience: 0-1 year
Minimum field of expertise: Directly related education in research specialization with advanced knowledge of equipment, procedures and analysis methods.
The annual base salary range for this position is $54,080.00 - $77,687.00. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and 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.

USC is an equal opportunity 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 observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. 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 theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor 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.

  • Notice of Non-discrimination
  • Employment Equity
  • Read USC's Clery Act Annual Security Report
  • USC is a smoke-free environment
  • Digital Accessibility

If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this  USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser:

https://wd5.myworkday.com/usc/d/inst/1$9925/9925$122730.htmld

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