What Is a Postdoctoral Research Associate and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

Postdoctoral research associates are professionals who have completed their doctorate and are continuing their research to gain hands-on experience before starting their academic careers. Their duties usually include researching with the support of a small team and writing papers for academic journals. Depending on the field of research, a postdoctoral research associate may also have other responsibilities. These positions are typically short-term.

The qualifications that you need to become a postdoctoral research associate include an advanced degree and knowledge of the field in which you work. You also need analytical and research skills to perform your job duties. You need a doctorate, a Ph.D., or another terminal degree to qualify for these positions. Your degree needs to be in the subject on which you work. You gain research experience by working on academic projects during your graduate degree studies. Since this position is usually the first step in an academic or research career, you typically do not need previous professional experience.