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$44.7K

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How much do postdoctoral research associate jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral research associate in Colorado is $90,388.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,900.00 and $122,000.00 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 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 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 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 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.

More about Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs

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

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

What are popular job titles related to Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs in Colorado?

For Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs in Colorado are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Postdoctoral Research Associate job openings:

Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Research Associate job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,388 per year, or $43.5 per hour.

Postdoctoral Researcher - Mathematical Optimization for Energy Systems

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Golden, CO • On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher – Mathematical Optimization for Energy Systems

Location: Golden, Colorado
Position Type: Full‑time Postdoc (Fixed Term)
Hours per Week: 40

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado. NLR is the nation’s primary laboratory for energy systems research and development, bringing together world‑class scientists, engineers, and experts to accelerate energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration.

Job Description

The Advanced Computing Solutions Group in the NLR Computational Science Center seeks a full‑time Postdoctoral Researcher with an emphasis on mathematical optimization and its application to the design and control of energy systems. The successful candidate will develop and apply mathematical optimization formulations and algorithms to physical systems, design parallel algorithmic approaches for large‑scale optimization problems, and combine these with Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques such as reinforcement learning (RL). The role will involve collaboration with domain experts, development of computational frameworks, and publishing of research results.

Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with domain experts to identify opportunities where mathematical optimization is a viable approach.
  • Maintain awareness of optimization research both within NLR and in the broader literature.
  • Adopt or develop new mathematical, computing, and simulation frameworks to implement and evaluate optimization algorithms and solutions.
  • Identify and implement opportunities to leverage AI/RL to augment classical optimization algorithms and/or formulations.
  • Author publications and contribute to research proposals to sustain research directions.
QualificationsBasic Requirements
  • Recent PhD graduate (within the last three years).
  • Experience formulating optimization problems in an algebraic modeling language such as Pyomo, JuMP, PuLP, or GAMS.
  • Familiarity with optimization solvers including CPLEX, Gurobi, Xpress, Cbc, and Ipopt.
  • Strong understanding of optimization fundamentals, both computational and mathematical.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with distributed computing frameworks such as MPI and OpenMP.
  • Proficiency in Python and/or Julia.
  • Experience with scalable machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch.
  • Background in cross‑disciplinary research teams.
  • Familiarity with parallel computing architectures relevant to NLR.
Salary and Benefits

Annual Salary Range: $76,600 – $126,400 (based on full‑time 40 hours per week).

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short‑term disability insurance; pension benefits; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match; life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; and paid holidays. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local laws.

Other Information

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD‑12) and pass a pre‑employment drug test. NLR is a drug‑free workplace in compliance with federal law.

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