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Postdoctoral Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

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Postdoctoral information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$28.5K

$67.2K

$95K

How much do postdoctoral jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral in Seattle, WA is $67,168.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,800.00 and $75,700.00 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 is a postdoctoral researcher?

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 are popular job titles related to Postdoctoral jobs in Seattle, WA? For Postdoctoral jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Postdoctoral jobs in Seattle, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Postdoctoral jobs in Seattle, WA are:
Postdoctoral jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,168 per year, or $32.3 per hour.

Postdoctoral Scholar - PIONEER

University of Washington

Seattle, WA • On-site

$5.7K - $6.5K/mo

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

University Of Washington School Of Medicine rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

80th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Description
Postdoctoral Scholar on the PIONEER Experiment
The Department of Physics at the University of Washington invites applications for a post-doctoral scholar position starting in Winter 2026. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to forefront research at the Center for Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics (CENPA) in alignment with the NSAC 2023 Long Range Plan for Nuclear Science. The successful candidate will join a vibrant research environment on the UW Seattle campus, collaborating closely with scientists, engineers, technicians, and students at CENPA.
This position is primarily associated with the PIONEER experiment, a next-generation rare pion decay spectrometer, which aims to test flavor universality up to the PeV scale. The University of Washington's group, led by Quentin Buat, David Hertzog and Peter Kammel, is developing the active target and the calorimeter, employing cutting edge detector technologies (LGADs & LYSO) and fast electronics. Our team also carries a host of simulations to prototype the experiment and develop the event reconstruction of the experiment.
The base salary range for this position will be $5705-$6500 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
The position is a full-time, 12-month (one-year) appointment, which may be extended (upon successful performance), subject to funding and mutual agreement. The Postdoctoral Scholar title is limited to five years, including postdoctoral experience(s) at UW and other institutions.
Postdoctoral Scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.
About CENPA
CENPA is a DOE Office of Nuclear Physics Center of Excellence, dedicated to advancing research in fundamental symmetries and neutrinos with an emphasis on discovering physics beyond the Standard Model. The Center hosts a broad program including LEGEND, He6-CRES, Project 8, Selena, PIONEER, and others. Our professional engineering and technical teams provide world-class expertise in instrumentation, prototyping, detector development, and experiment execution. For more information about CENPA and its research programs, please see the CENPA Annual Reports.
Qualifications
The successful applicant should have a Ph.D., or foreign equivalent, by the time they start at the University of Washington.
Application Instructions
Applications should be submitted in Interfolio and consist of a cover letter, a CV with list of publications, a research statement, and three letters of recommendation. Applications received by December 15, 2025, will receive full consideration. All applications received will be reviewed until the position is closed. For questions about the position, please contact Prof. Quentin Buat (qbuat@uw.edu).

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