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Postdoctoral Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

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Postdoctoral information

See Reston, VA salary details

$26K

$61.4K

$86.9K

How much do postdoctoral jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral in Reston, VA is $61,404.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,000.00 and $69,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges postdoctoral researchers face when transitioning to independent research roles?

Postdoctoral researchers often encounter challenges such as balancing the demands of publishing, securing funding, and developing their own research identity while still working under a principal investigator. Navigating the path to independence can also involve building a professional network and gaining experience in grant writing and project management. Supportive mentors and institutional resources can help, but it's important to proactively seek out opportunities for leadership and collaboration to position yourself for future faculty or industry roles.

What is the difference between Postdoctoral vs Research Scientist?

AspectPostdoctoralResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsDoctoral degree (Ph.D.) often requiredMaster's or Ph.D., depending on the field
Work EnvironmentAcademic labs, universities, research institutionsIndustry labs, corporate R&D, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily academia and research institutionsPrimarily industry and corporate sectors
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Postdoctoral researchers typically hold a Ph.D. and work in academic or research institutions to gain specialized experience. Research Scientists often have similar credentials but are employed in industry or corporate R&D settings. While both roles involve research, Postdoctoral positions are usually temporary and focused on academic advancement, whereas Research Scientists are often permanent staff working on applied projects in industry.

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

To thrive as a Postdoctoral Researcher, you need an advanced degree (usually a PhD), strong research skills, and deep subject matter expertise in your field. Proficiency with data analysis tools, laboratory techniques, and research software such as Python, R, or MATLAB is often required. Excellent communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills set candidates apart by enabling effective teamwork and dissemination of findings. These abilities are vital for driving original research, publishing impactful work, and advancing academic or industry careers.

What are postdoctoral researchers?

Postdoctoral researchers, often called 'postdocs,' are individuals who have completed their doctoral studies (PhD or equivalent) and are engaged in further academic or scientific research. They typically work under the supervision of a principal investigator or faculty member to gain additional training, develop new skills, and contribute to research projects. Postdocs are a common step for those pursuing academic careers, but their experience can also be valuable for roles in industry or government. The position is usually temporary, lasting from one to several years, allowing researchers to deepen their expertise in a specialized field.
What job categories do people searching Postdoctoral jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Postdoctoral jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Postdoctoral jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Postdoctoral job openings:
Postdoctoral jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral job openings in Reston, VA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,404 per year, or $29.5 per hour.

NIST PREP Postdoctoral Research Associate in Electron Microscopy

Southeastern Universities Research Association

Gaithersburg, MD • On-site

$82K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards (NIST) Professional Research Experience (PREP) program. NIST recognizes that its research staff may wish to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest, thus requires that such institutions must be the recipient of a PREP award. The PREP program requires staff from a wide range of backgrounds to work on scientific research in many areas. Employees in this position will perform technical work that underpins the scientific research of the collaboration.
Research Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate in Electron Microscopy
The work will entail:NIST is actively seeking a candidate for a postdoctoral research position as part of a project related to the CHIPS for America Act. The project seeks to develop quantitative, atomic-resolution methods for the three-dimensional characterization of complex semiconductor devices via electron tomography. By coupling advance specimen preparation, cutting-edge electron microscopy instrumentation, and AI-driven data collection and reconstruction, we will deliver a robust suite of measurement tools to the semiconductor industry.
Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
  • Sample preparation via focused ion beam methods
  • Collecting and processing of TEM tomography data
  • Presenting results at internal meetings, and occasional meetings with external stakeholders.
  • Ensuring that results, protocols, software, and documentation have been archived or otherwise transmitted to the larger organization.

Qualifications
  • PhD. in Physics, Materials Science, or a related field with a concentration in electron microscopy methods
  • Experience in the collection and processing of TEM/STEM data
  • Computer programming for custom data processing
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.

Privacy Act StatementAuthority: 15 U.S.C. § 278g-1(e)(1) and (e)(3) and 15 U.S.C. § 272(b) and (c)
Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.
PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program.
Routine Uses: NIST will use the information collected to perform the requisite reviews of the applications to determine eligibility, and to meet programmatic requirements. Disclosure of this information is also subject to all the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notices: NIST-1: NIST Associates.
Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary. When you submit the form, you are indicating your voluntary consent for NIST to use of the information you submit for the purpose stated. By applying to a CHIPS-funded PREP opportunity, you also acknowledge that participation in the project requires signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) prior to beginning any work.
SURA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that no one should be discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, or sexual orientation. All employment decisions shall be made without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.
PREP0003933

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