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How much do sociology postdoctoral jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for sociology 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 the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the sociology postdoctoral position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Sociology Postdoctoral, you need advanced research skills, a doctoral degree in sociology or a related field, and the ability to design and conduct complex social research projects. Familiarity with statistical software (such as SPSS, R, or Stata), qualitative analysis tools (like NVivo), and experience with academic publishing are often required. Strong written and verbal communication, collaboration, and project management skills distinguish top candidates. These abilities are essential for producing impactful research, contributing to academic teams, and translating findings into publications and presentations.

What is a sociology postdoctoral?

A Sociology Postdoctoral job is a temporary research position for PhD graduates in sociology, typically lasting one to three years. Postdoctoral researchers work on independent or collaborative projects, publish academic papers, and may teach courses. These positions help early-career scholars gain experience, expand their research portfolio, and prepare for tenure-track roles in academia or research-based careers outside universities.

What kind of projects and collaborations can a sociology postdoctoral expect to be involved in?

As a Sociology Postdoctoral, you will typically work on research projects aligned with the interests of the principal investigator or research group, which may include data collection, analysis, and publishing findings. Collaboration is common with faculty, graduate students, and sometimes community organizations, depending on the research focus. You may also be expected to participate in grant writing, co-author papers, present at conferences, and help mentor undergraduate or graduate students. This environment fosters professional growth, network building, and the development of a track record necessary for advancing into faculty or research positions.

More about Sociology Postdoctoral jobs
What cities are hiring for Sociology Postdoctoral jobs? Cities with the most Sociology Postdoctoral job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Sociology Postdoctoral jobs? The most popular types of Sociology Postdoctoral jobs are:
What states have the most Sociology Postdoctoral jobs? States with the most job openings for Sociology Postdoctoral jobs include:
Infographic showing various Sociology Postdoctoral job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Part Time. Highlights an 97% In-person, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,022 per year, or $28.4 per hour.

Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Sociology-Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • On-site

Full-time

Medical

Posted 4 days ago


Vanderbilt University rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

184th of 616 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Description
Vanderbilt University invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar to join the NIH-funded research project "Occupation and Labor Force Participation across the Life Course: Implications for Cognitive Functioning in Later Life" led by Dr. Rachel Donnelly and Dr. Lucie Kalousová. The project will investigate the implications of occupational characteristics and labor force participation over the life course for cognitive functioning in later life.
Terms
• Duration: The initial appointment is for one year (12 months), with an anticipated extension for an additional year pending successful evaluation of Year 1 performance.
Location: Position based at Vanderbilt University with potential for hybrid arrangements
Salary and Benefits: A 12-month salary of $70,000, health insurance, and employee benefits listed here. Annual $2,500 budget for travel to relevant conferences and professional meetings. One-time $2,000 budget for computing equipment.
The postdoctoral scholar will be expected to spend 75 percent of their time on project activities and 25 percent on independent research on related topics. The anticipated start date is January 1, 2027 (or earlier if mutually agreeable).
Qualifications
We seek a highly motivated researcher with interest in research on aging and a background in sociology, gerontology, population health, or a related field. The ideal candidate has experience working with complex national survey data and strong quantitative data analysis skills.
Candidates with experience working in aging-related fields, with the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), and/or sequence analysis are especially encouraged to apply.
The successful candidate should be self-motivated, detail-oriented, responsible, and collaborative, with excellent interpersonal, written communication, and organizational skills.
The candidate will be mentored by the PIs and will have the opportunity to lead and co-author manuscripts and conference presentations.
Additional professional development opportunities and mentorship will be available through participation in the Lifespan, Policy, and Health Lab and the Center for Research on Inequality and Health seminar series.
Application Instructions
To apply, please submit the following items:
  1. A cover letter describing interest in the position and future research plans
  2. Most recent CV
  3. One writing sample
  4. Contact information for three professional references who can provide letters of recommendation.

Applications will be reviewed starting September 30, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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