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Senior Postdoc Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mercor

Physics Research Expert - PhD

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$80 - $140/hr

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 ...

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Duke University

Postdoctoral Associate

Durham, NC · On-site

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

Duke University

Postdoctoral Associate

Durham, NC · On-site

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

See salary details

$25K

$80.3K

$163.5K

How much do senior postdoc jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 3, 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.

Is a postdoc harder than a PhD?

A senior postdoc role typically involves more independent research, advanced skills, and project management compared to a PhD. While a PhD focuses on completing a dissertation and gaining foundational expertise, a postdoc emphasizes producing publishable results and establishing an independent research profile, which can be more demanding in terms of responsibility and expertise.

What is the highest postdoc salary?

The highest postdoctoral salaries can vary depending on the field, institution, and location, but top-paying positions often exceed $70,000 to $80,000 annually. Some specialized or senior postdocs in competitive research environments may earn over $100,000, especially with additional funding or grants. Salary levels are influenced by experience, funding sources, and institutional policies.

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.

How old is the average postdoc?

The average age of a senior postdoc is typically between 30 and 35 years old, reflecting the time spent completing doctoral studies and gaining research experience. Many postdocs are in their late 20s to early 40s, depending on the field and career path. Age can vary based on individual circumstances and career progression.

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.

Is it hard to get a postdoc position?

Securing a senior postdoc position can be competitive, often requiring a strong research record, relevant skills, and a PhD in a related field. Success depends on the availability of openings, the candidate's qualifications, and the fit with the research group or institution.
More about Senior Postdoc jobs
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Senior Postdoc jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Postdoc job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 14% As Needed, 5% Full Time, 76% Contract, and 5% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,287 per year, or $38.6 per hour.
Physics Researcher - Fully Remote | Upto $140/hr

Physics Researcher - Fully Remote | Upto $140/hr

Mercor

New York, NY • Remote

$140/hr

Full-time

Posted 23 hours ago

Job description

About the job

Mercor connects elite creative and technical talent with leading AI research labs. Headquartered in San Francisco, our investors include Benchmark, General Catalyst, Peter Thiel, Adam D'Angelo, Larry Summers, and Jack Dorsey.

Position: Research Physics Expert
Type: Contract
Compensation: $80–$140/hour
Location: Remote
Commitment: ~10 hours/week

Role Responsibilities

  • Solve research-level physics challenges end-to-end with verifiable derivations, code, and peer-reviewed references.
  • Decompose challenges into standalone checkpoint sub-problems requiring genuine physical reasoning.
  • Author Python answer templates with auto-grading functions for symbolic or numerical answers.
  • Audit submitted solutions for correctness, scope, and method soundness; deliver actionable feedback across iterations.
  • Adjudicate between parallel solver attempts and decide which solution becomes the golden reference.
  • Document chain-of-thought reasoning, error tolerances, equivalent symbolic forms, and verification test cases.

Qualifications

Must-Have

  • 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 subfield (senior postdoc or junior professor minimum).
  • Hands-on familiarity with at least two canonical methods of the target subfield, demonstrable through publications.
  • 3–5 representative publications (arXiv ID or DOI), ideally within the last ~5 years and in the target subfield.
  • Working proficiency with LaTeX, Python, Jupyter, and SymPy.
  • Strong written English (B2/C1/C2 minimum; native or near-native preferred).

Resources & Support

  • For details about the interview process and platform information, please check: https://talent.docs.mercor.com/welcome
  • For any help or support, reach out to: support@mercor.com

PS: Our team reviews applications daily. Please complete your AI interview and application steps to be considered for this opportunity.