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Postdoctoral Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Details Position Information Recruitment/Posting Title Postdoctoral Associate Job Category Staff & Executive - Research (Laboratory/Non-Laboratory) Department SHP - Clinical & Preventive Nu ...

Postdoctoral Associate

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$50K - $80K/yr

Posting Details Position Information Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Position Title Postdoctoral Associate Classification Title Postdoctoral Associate Department Department of Mechanical and Aerospace ...

The postdoctoral scholar will combine foundation AI modeling and differentiable modeling (a genre of physics-informed machine learning) for hydrologic modeling to improve large-scale hydrologic ...

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How much do postdoctoral jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral in the United States is $59,022.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,000.00 and $66,500.00 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.
More about Postdoctoral jobs
What cities are hiring for Postdoctoral jobs? Cities with the most Postdoctoral job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Postdoctoral jobs? The most popular types of Postdoctoral jobs are:
What states have the most Postdoctoral jobs? States with the most job openings for Postdoctoral jobs include:
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,022 per year, or $28.4 per hour.
Postdoctoral Scholar

Postdoctoral Scholar

Penn State University

University Park, PA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago


Penn State University rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 103 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

204th of 555 rated colleges and universities


Job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
  • CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
  • If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
POSITION SPECIFICS
Join a Dynamic Team Focused on Foundation AI modeling and Physics-Informed Machine Learning as a Postdoctoral Researcher at The Pennsylvania State University.
The Pennsylvania State University is seeking applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position in the field of computational land surface hydrology, with a focus on Foundation AI model pretraining and finetuning, geospatial data processing and physics-informed machine learning. Prior experiences with these topics are highly desired. Pending approval of the grant, the successful candidate will work on innovative research in hydrology, collaborating with Dr. Shen and other faculty members, while also participating in the development of research projects and providing support to graduate students.
The postdoctoral scholar will combine foundation AI modeling and differentiable modeling (a genre of physics-informed machine learning) for hydrologic modeling to improve large-scale hydrologic forecast. The scholar will work with a large, interdisciplinary team on the next-generation land surface model. Especially, the scholar will integrate state-of-the-art AI and physics-informed AI techniques into an operational system. The contribution could bring benefits to society and reduce the damage of floods.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
  • Develop and implement novel modeling techniques.
  • Stay current with the latest developments and be willing to learn and adopt frontier methods.
  • Collaborate with research team members to design, execute, and interpret research findings.
  • Contribute to the development of high-quality research publications and presentations.
  • Provide support to graduate students within the department.

Requirements:
The Postdoctoral Researcher should possess a Ph.D. in hydrology, civil engineering, environmental science, or a closely related field by the appointment start date.
The successful candidate will also have:
  • A strong background in numerical modeling and the application of computational methods to land surface hydrological problems.
  • Research experience with a track record of published work in relevant scientific journals.
  • Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
  • Proficiency in programming languages, such as Python or Fortran.
  • Experiences with machine learning is a plus to the application.
  • Solid understanding of the physical hydrologic cycle and large-scale geographic datasets.

The Pennsylvania State University offers a dynamic research environment, providing access to world-class facilities and resources. We encourage highly motivated candidates with a passion for advancing the field of computational hydrology to apply for this exciting position. To apply, please submit your CV, a cover letter detailing your research interests and experience, and contact information for three references with your online application.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
BENEFITS
Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university's teaching, research, and service mission.
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