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Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Springfield, VA

The Postdoctoral Associate will be expected to substantively contribute to all facets of the research enterprise, including developing study designs, IRB protocol submission, identifying potential ...

The Economo Lab (www.biodivlab.org) at the University of Maryland, College Park is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work at the interface of biology and computer science using large-scale 3D ...

The postdoc will help plan, conduct, and publish research, contribute to the professional development of undergraduate and graduate students, and assist with data dissemination. Physical Demands:

Three Postdoctoral Associates positions are available at the Department of Veterinary Medicine ... The department provides an excellent research environment and advanced research facilities ...

Three Postdoctoral Associates positions are available at the Department of Veterinary Medicine ... The department provides an excellent research environment and advanced research facilities ...

The Laboratory for MicroTechnologies and the Neurobiology Lab at the University of Maryland are seeking a postdoctoral scientist to conduct biomolecular research. The researcher will join a ...

Showing results 41-60

Postdoctoral Research Associate information

See Springfield, VA salary details

$44.4K

$89.8K

$121.7K

How much do postdoctoral research associate jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral research associate in Springfield, VA is $89,787.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $121,200.00 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.

What job categories do people searching Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs in Springfield, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs in Springfield, VA are:

What cities near Springfield, VA are hiring for Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs?

Cities near Springfield, VA with the most Postdoctoral Research Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Research Associate job openings in Springfield, VA 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 $89,787 per year, or $43.2 per hour.

Pre-Doctoral Research Data Specialist (School of Government and Policy)

Washington, DC • On-site

Johns Hopkins University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Johns Hopkins University rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 71 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Faculty member Nathaniel Baum-Snow is seeking one full-time Pre-Doctoral Research Data Specialist to work as part of his research team. This position offers an opportunity to gain training in a broad set of economic and policy research topics and approaches, including data-intensive methods that will give pre-docs a window into research in urban and real estate economics. This opportunity is most suitable for recent college graduates with substantial coursework in economics and applied econometrics who are planning to pursue a Ph.D. in economics, public policy, or related fields. Experience in this position will help candidates moving onto Ph.D. programs to hit the ground running for their own graduate studies. The role is based in Washington DC, with workspace shared with other fellows to foster camaraderie and peer learning. Ideal candidates have an interest in the economics of cities and some experience manipulating spatial data sets.
The Research Data Specialist will assist in the management, analysis, and reporting of complex data to support a research project or study. The Research Data Specialist will work closely with the research team and support the preparation of reports, publications, and presentations. The Specialist will gain experience analyzing large and complex data sets working with software including Stata, R, QGIS, and Python. This research practice is strengthened with additional education opportunities, including the opportunity to attend SGP research seminars.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
  • Assist with building datasets, constructing variables and data cleaning.
  • Assist with the production of publication-quality tables and graphs and present results to the study team.
  • Provide preliminary and interim analyses of data; perform statistical calculations and assist with preparation of reports, scientific abstracts and method sections of manuscripts.
  • Support the performance of analyses on large, complex datasets, and document analyses using STATA, R, Python, etc.
  • Prepare data reports and analyses, report on the status of the database, conduct analytical activities, and review reports to verify data.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Associate's Degree.
  • Two years of related experience.
  • Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Candidates should be excited about working on policy-oriented academic research in urban and real estate economics.
  • Candidates must have a solid quantitative background with strong programming skills and be considering pursuing a Ph.D. in economics or a closely related discipline.
  • Candidates must have coding experience in some combination of Python, R and Stata GIS experience preferred.

Classified Title: Research Data Specialist
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Pre-Doctoral Research Data Specialist (School of Government and Policy)
Role/Level/Range: ACRO37.5/03/CE
Starting Salary Range: $19.75 - $35.35 HRLY ($65,000 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Location: District of Columbia
Department name: Staff
Personnel area: School of Government & Policy

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About Johns Hopkins University

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Gilman believed that teaching and research go hand in hand—that success in one depends on success in the other—and that a modern university must do both well. He also believed that sharing our knowledge and discoveries would help make the world a better place. In 145 years, we haven’t strayed from that vision. This is still a destination for excellent, ambitious scholars and a world leader in teaching and research. Distinguished professors mentor students in the arts and music, humanities, social and natural sciences, engineering, international studies, education, business, and the health professions. Those same faculty members, along with their colleagues at the university’s Applied Physics Laboratory, have made us the nation’s leader in federal research and development funding every year since 1979. That’s a fitting distinction for America’s first research university, a place that has revolutionized higher education in the U.S. and continues to bring knowledge and discoveries to the world.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Baltimore, MD, US

Year founded

1876