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Postdoctoral Research Fellow Jobs (NOW HIRING)

NorthEastern

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Boston, MA

$60K - $85K/yr

The postdoctoral fellow will work directly with Dr. Tamara Jimah, Assistant Professor in the ... We are seeking an early-career scientist in one or more of the following research areas: HIV/TB ...

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How much do postdoctoral research fellow jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral research fellow in the United States is $85,062.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,000.00 and $101,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

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

Postdoctoral Research Fellows typically hold a Ph.D. and work in academic or research settings, focusing on specialized research projects. Research Scientists may have similar credentials but often work in industry, applying research to product development or innovation. While both roles involve research, the Postdoctoral Research Fellow is usually a temporary position aimed at gaining experience, whereas Research Scientists are often more involved in applied research within companies.

What are some typical challenges faced by Postdoctoral Research Fellows when transitioning to independent research roles?

Postdoctoral Research Fellows often face challenges such as balancing independent research with the expectations set by their principal investigator, securing funding for their own projects, and building a professional network. Navigating the shift from a supervised role to leading projects requires developing grant-writing skills, managing collaborations, and mentoring junior researchers. Actively seeking feedback, attending conferences, and publishing consistently can help fellows establish their reputation and prepare for future independent positions in academia or industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you need a doctoral degree in a relevant field, advanced research skills, and a strong publication record. Expertise in specialized laboratory techniques, data analysis software (such as R or Python), and familiarity with grant-writing or research funding processes are often required. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with peers and disseminating research findings. These abilities are crucial for advancing scientific knowledge, securing research funding, and building a successful academic or industry career.

What is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow?

A Postdoctoral Research Fellow is an individual who has completed their doctoral studies (Ph.D. or equivalent) and undertakes advanced academic or scientific research, typically under the guidance of a principal investigator or faculty member. The main goal of a postdoctoral fellowship is to deepen expertise in a specific research area, contribute to scholarly publications, and gain experience necessary for independent research or academic positions. These positions are often temporary, lasting from one to several years, and can be found in universities, research institutions, or industry. Postdocs play a vital role in advancing research projects and may also mentor students or assist with teaching.
What cities are hiring for Postdoctoral Research Fellow jobs? Cities with the most Postdoctoral Research Fellow job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Postdoctoral Research Fellow jobs? The top employers for Postdoctoral Research Fellow jobs are:
What states have the most Postdoctoral Research Fellow jobs? States with the most job openings for Postdoctoral Research Fellow jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Postdoctoral Research Fellow jobs? For Postdoctoral Research Fellow jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Postdoctoral Research Fellow jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Research Fellow job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,062 per year, or $40.9 per hour.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • On-site

$70K - $73K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Harvard University rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

81st of 611 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Position
Details
Title
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
School
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Department/Area
Epidemiology
Position Description
The Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health studies the frequency, distribution, and determinants of disease in humans, a fundamental science of public health. In addition to pursuing ground-breaking global research initiatives, we educate and prepare future medical leaders and practitioners as part of our mission to ignite positive changes in the quality of health across the world.
The CAUSALab in the Department of Epidemiology is accepting applications for postdoctoral research fellows to work on research activities within the research lab. The CAUSALab launched in 2021 to articulate a growing research portfolio, create synergy with its strategic partners, and provide training on causal inference to the next generation of investigators.
For more information on CAUSALab, please visit: https://causalab.sph.harvard.edu/.
The postdoctoral research fellow will work on causal inference projects under the supervision of Professor Miguel Hernan. The projects range from the development of causal inference and AI methods to the implementation of established causal inference approaches to support public health and clinical decision making. The focus will be on agentic AI for target trial specification and emulation.
Basic Qualifications
Education Requirements
  • A doctoral degree in epidemiology, statistics, computer science, or a relative quantitative field

Experience & Skills Requirements
  • Expert knowledge of R or SAS

Additional Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
  • Excellent writing skills
  • Strong team player with excellent communication skills
  • Ability to collaborate within CAUSALab and beyond the research group

Additional Information: Per university guidelines, postdoc appointments are considered to be on-campus, full-time positions. Per university payroll tax guidelines all applicants must reside in an acceptable payroll states or be willing to relocate to: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, Connecticut, Maryland, Vermont, New York, California, New Jersey, Virginia, Washington, Georgia, or Illinois.
Special Instructions
Optional (but strongly recommended) writing
A brief comment/critique (a few sentences suffice) of work conducted by CAUSALab researchers. For example, you can tell us how an analysis could be improved, propose alternative interpretations of the findings, point out potential errors, describe alternative areas of application, or discuss any ideas you'd like to share with us.
Please upload this writing to the "other" category in the applicant documents section.
Contact Information
For additional questions about the position, please contact Joanna Michalski, Assistant Director of Projects and Operations, CAUSALab
Contact Email
jmichalski@hsph.harvard.edu
Salary Range
$70,000 - $73,000
Compensation will be based on post-graduate (PGY) experience
Minimum Number of References Required
2
Maximum Number of References Allowed
2
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