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Senior Postdoc Jobs (NOW HIRING)

PhD or postdoc in the relevant subfield (senior PhD student minimum). * Postdoc or junior professor in the relevant subfield ( PhD minimum). * Full professor or industry research PI in the relevant ...

Tomi Akinyemiju , with additional support from junior faculty and senior postdoctoral fellows, within a highly collaborative and methodologically driven research environment. The position emphasizes ...

Tomi Akinyemiju , with additional support from junior faculty and senior postdoctoral fellows, within a highly collaborative and methodologically driven research environment. The position emphasizes ...

Tomi Akinyemiju, with additional support from junior faculty and senior postdoctoral fellows, within a highly collaborative and methodologically driven research environment. The position emphasizes ...

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Senior Postdoc information

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$25K

$80.3K

$163.5K

How much do senior postdoc jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior postdoc in the United States is $80,287.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Senior Postdoc, you need advanced research expertise in your field, a PhD, and a strong record of peer-reviewed publications. Familiarity with specialized laboratory techniques, data analysis software, and grant-writing platforms is typically required. Leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication skills help you mentor junior researchers and collaborate across teams. These competencies are crucial for advancing research projects, securing funding, and building a professional academic profile.

What opportunities for independent research and mentorship are typically available to Senior Postdocs?

Senior Postdocs often have increased autonomy to design and lead their own research projects, building on the skills acquired during earlier postdoctoral training. In addition to conducting advanced experiments, they are frequently involved in mentoring junior lab members, such as graduate students and newer postdocs, which helps develop leadership skills. Many institutions encourage Senior Postdocs to apply for independent funding and to present their work at conferences, preparing them for future faculty or industry leadership roles. This combination of research independence and mentorship experience is key for career advancement in academia or research-intensive positions.

What is the difference between Senior Postdoc vs Postdoctoral Research Associate?

AspectSenior PostdocPostdoctoral Research Associate
CredentialsPhD, extensive research experiencePhD, early career researcher
Work EnvironmentIndependent research, leading projectsSupporting research, assisting senior staff
Employer & IndustryUniversities, research institutesUniversities, research labs
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding senior research rolesEntry-level postdoc roles

The main difference between a Senior Postdoc and a Postdoctoral Research Associate lies in experience and responsibilities. Senior Postdocs typically lead projects and work more independently, while Postdoctoral Research Associates support research activities under supervision. Both roles are common in academic and research settings, but the Senior Postdoc is a more advanced, autonomous position.

What is a Senior Postdoc?

A Senior Postdoc is an experienced postdoctoral researcher who has completed several years of postdoctoral training after earning a PhD. They typically take on greater responsibilities than junior postdocs, such as leading research projects, mentoring students, and contributing significantly to grant writing and publications. Senior Postdocs may also assist in supervising lab operations and may be preparing for independent academic or industry positions. This role often serves as a bridge between postdoctoral work and more senior roles like principal investigator or faculty positions.
More about Senior Postdoc jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Postdoc jobs? Cities with the most Senior Postdoc job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Postdoc jobs? The most popular types of Postdoc jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Postdoc jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Postdoc jobs include:
Infographic showing various Senior Postdoc job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 5% As Needed, 2% Full Time, 77% Part Time, 14% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,287 per year, or $38.6 per hour.
Postdoctoral Associate/Senior Postdoctoral Associate

Postdoctoral Associate/Senior Postdoctoral Associate

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Stony Brook University rating

7.7

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Job description

The School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences invites applications for the Postdoctoral Associate/Senior Postdoctoral position. The title/rank will be contingent upon the selected candidate's skills and experience in their area of expertise.

Postdoctoral Associate

Required Qualifications (as evidenced by an attached resume):  
Ph.D. (or foreign equivalent) in hand by Sept. 1, 2026.  Experience conducting research in atmospheric or climate science or a closely related field. Experience with running and analyzing atmospheric numerical models. Proficient verbal and written communication skills as evidenced by published results and presentations.

Preferred Qualifications:  
Ph.D. in climate or atmospheric science, or closely related sciences. Experience in extreme weather and climate events research. Experience with running and analyzing simulations the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM), the Community Earth System Model (CESM) or the Weather Research & Forecasting Model (WRF). Experience in working with diverse stakeholder groups to advance research objectives.

Brief Description of Duties: 
The Climate Extremes Modeling Group, led by Prof. Kevin Reed, in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University seeks a highly-motivated candidate for a Postdoctoral Associate or Senior Postdoctoral Associate. The selected candidate will use numerical models and climate datasets to better understand the link between extreme weather events and climate change. This will include co-developing and advancing research objectives with various stakeholder groups. This research will aid in advancing our scientific understanding of the impacts of climate change, as well as developing new methodologies to better translate science for climate resilience and adaptation applications and policies. Successful candidates will demonstrate experience in working on climate-related research, as well as experience working in a diverse team and strong communication skills.

Postdoctoral Associate duties will include:

     Perform ensembles simulations with climate and atmospheric models of extreme weather events under various climate scenarios.

      Analyze model output and observations to quantify the impact of climate change on these extreme events.

     Publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present results at conferences, seminars and/or technical meetings.

     Work with various stakeholder groups to advance the overall research objectives.

     Translate impact of research to other disciplines.

     Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and department mission

Senior Postdoctoral Associate

Required Qualifications (as evidenced by an attached resume):  
Ph.D. (or foreign equivalent) in hand by Sept. 1, 2026. Three (3) years of related full-time research experience. Experience conducting research in atmospheric or climate science or a closely related field. Experience in extreme weather and climate events research. Experience with running and analyzing atmospheric numerical models. Proficient verbal and written communication skills as evidenced by published results and presentations.

Preferred Qualifications:  
Ph.D. in climate or atmospheric science, or closely related sciences. Experience with running and analyzing simulations the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM), the Community Earth System Model (CESM) or the Weather Research & Forecasting Model (WRF). Experience in working with diverse stakeholder groups to advance research objectives.

Brief Description of Duties (Senior Postdoctoral Associate): 

The Climate Extremes Modeling Group, led by Prof. Kevin Reed, in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University seeks a highly-motivated candidate for a Senior Postdoctoral Associate. The selected candidate will use numerical models and climate datasets to better understand the link between extreme weather events and climate change. This will include co-developing and advancing of research objectives with various stakeholder groups. This research will aid in advancing our scientific understanding of the impacts of climate change, as well as developing new methodologies to better translate science for climate resilience and adaptation applications and policies. Successful candidates will demonstrate experience in working on climate-related research, as well as experience working in a diverse team and strong communication skills.

Senior Postdoctoral Associate duties will include:

     Perform ensembles simulations with climate and atmospheric models of extreme weather events under various climate scenarios.

     Analyze model output and observations for to quantify the impact of change on these extreme events.

     Publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present results at conferences, seminars and/or technical meetings.

     Work with various stakeholder groups to advance the overall research objectives.

     Translate impact of research to other disciplines.

     Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and department mission

Special Notes:
The Research Foundation of SUNY is a private educational corporation. Employment is subject to the Research Foundation policies and procedures, sponsor guidelines and the availability of funding. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.

Visit The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs to learn more about our postdoctoral community.

Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.

Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning, and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

If you need a disability-related accommodation, please call the university Office of Equity and Access (OEA) at (631) 632-6280 or visit OEA.

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The starting salary range (or hiring range) to be offered for this position is noted below, it represents SBU's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.


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