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Postdoctoral Scholar Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Pennsylvania State University

Mathias Martins is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar to join his research program in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Penn State. The laboratory focuses on poultry viruses, with ...

The Pennsylvania State University

The postdoctoral scholar is expected to work on a set of statistical-theoretical problems concerned with networks, space, time, or causal inference based on discrete and dependent data, either ...

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How much do postdoctoral scholar jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for postdoctoral scholar in the United States is $54,223.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,500.00 and $56,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the most common challenges Postdoctoral Scholars face when transitioning to independent research roles?

Postdoctoral Scholars often face challenges balancing the demands of publishing, securing funding, and developing an independent research identity. Navigating the shift from working under a principal investigator to leading projects independently can be demanding, as it requires strong project management and networking skills. Additionally, postdocs may encounter uncertainties regarding job security and the competitive nature of academic career advancement, making strategic planning and mentorship especially important.

What is the difference between Postdoctoral Scholar vs Research Scientist?

AspectPostdoctoral ScholarResearch Scientist
Required credentialsPhD or equivalentMaster's or PhD, often with more experience
Work environmentAcademic or research institutionsIndustry labs, corporate R&D, or academia
Employer and industry usageUniversities, government agenciesPrivate companies, biotech, pharma
Common search intentResearch training, academic career pathProduct development, applied research

Postdoctoral Scholars typically hold a PhD and work in academic or research settings to gain specialized experience. Research Scientists often have similar credentials but may work in industry, focusing on applied research and product development. While both roles involve research, Postdoctoral Scholars are usually in training positions, whereas Research Scientists are more experienced professionals in their field.

What Is a Postdoctoral Scholar?

A postdoctoral scholar works in university-level research under a mentor to prepare for a career. They collect, process, and analyze data. Other job duties include assisting university faculty, designing research experiments, and publishing the results of independent projects. Unlike a research associate, this job is temporary, and typically lasts no more than three or four years from appointment. Previous experience in secondary education is required, so a postdoctoral scholar should have a college degree. Qualifications often include past work as a postdoctoral fellow as well as writing and organizational skills.

What are Postdoctoral Scholars?

Postdoctoral Scholars, often called postdocs, are individuals who have completed their doctoral studies (such as a PhD) and are engaged in further academic or scholarly training. They typically work on research projects under the supervision of a principal investigator, aiming to deepen their expertise in a specific field. Postdocs contribute to publications, grant writing, and may also mentor students or teach classes. These positions are often temporary and serve as a bridge between graduate studies and independent academic or research careers.

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

To thrive as a Postdoctoral Scholar, you need advanced research expertise in your field, a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent), and a strong record of academic publications. Familiarity with specialized research tools, data analysis software, and laboratory or computational systems is typically required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, collaboration, and written and verbal communication skills set top candidates apart. These competencies are essential for driving independent research, contributing to scientific knowledge, and succeeding in competitive academic environments.
More about Postdoctoral Scholar jobs
What cities are hiring for Postdoctoral Scholar jobs? Cities with the most Postdoctoral Scholar job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Postdoctoral Scholar jobs? The top employers for Postdoctoral Scholar jobs are:
What states have the most Postdoctoral Scholar jobs? States with the most job openings for Postdoctoral Scholar jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Postdoctoral Scholar jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Postdoctoral Scholar jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Postdoctoral Scholar jobs? For Postdoctoral Scholar jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Postdoctoral Scholar jobs near you
Infographic showing various Postdoctoral Scholar job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,223 per year, or $26.1 per hour.
Postdoctoral Scholar

Postdoctoral Scholar

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC

$62K/yr

Other

Posted 13 days ago

East Carolina University rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 31 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

352nd of 537 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Position Information
Job Title Postdoctoral Scholar Position Number PDS-MCBI-02-26 Vacancy Open to All Candidates Department EHH BSOM Microbiology and Immuun Department Homepage https://microbiology-immunology.ecu.edu/ Advertising Department MICROBIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY Division ECU Health/BSOM Classification Title Postdoctoral Scholar Working Title Postdoctoral Scholar Number of Vacancies 2 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) 1.0 Full Time or Part Time Full Time Anticipated Recruitment Range. Salary offered may be outside of this range as impacted by budget, UNC salary administration, and/or candidate qualifications. $62,232 Position Location (City) Greenville Position Type Postdoctoral Scholars Job Category Postdoctoral Scholars Primary Function of Organizational Unit
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology is a distinguished research and teaching facility of East Carolina University School of Medicine, consisting of approximately 50 people.
This department provides an academic base for teacher-scientists employed by the School of Medicine at East Carolina University in the disciplines of microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, and other related disciplines. The department provides instruction to medical students and dental students, and provides instruction, guidance, and research experience to Ph.D. and M.S. students seeking degrees in microbiology and immunology. The department also offers a postdoctoral research training program. The department supports an array of faculty-directed research programs, many of which are supported by extramural grants and/or contracts. The department provides service to the school, university, state, nation, and to the profession through the activities of faculty members on committees, study sections, in professional organizations, as consultants, and through other activities.
Job Duties
The postdoctoral scholar will lead independent and collaborative research focused on the biology of spirochetes. Using Borrelia burgdorferi and Leptospira species as model organisms, the researcher will investigate the structure-function relationships of periplasmic flagella, mechanisms of gene regulation, the cyclicdiGMP signaling pathway, and factors contributing to bacterial virulence (https://microbiology-immunology.ecu.edu/md-motaleb/).
Duties include: hypothesis and protocol development, literature review, collection of pilot data, report writing, supervision of undergraduate and graduate students, and new laboratory staff, review of data for quality control, supervision of data entry/data analysis, analysis of research hypothesis using descriptive and multivariate statistics, and the development of independent and collaborative presentations and publications.
Scholars are expected to demonstrate compliance with established guidelines and regulatory standards for research, including biosafety, responsible conduct of research, and human subjects training.
Approximately 90% of the postdoctoral scholar's time will be devoted to research.
Approximately 10% of the postdoctoral scholar's time will be devoted to managing the day-to-day activities of undergraduate and graduate research students in the laboratory.
Minimum Education/Experience
PhD (or equivalent), English Proficiency, Excellent written and oral communication skills
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation
None
Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education
PhD (or equivalent) degree in microbial genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, and/or a related field. Experience working with animals is desired but not required.
License or Certification Required by the Department Special Instructions to Applicant
To be considered for this position, all applicants must apply through PeopleAdmin and attach their CV or resume, cover letter, and names and contact information of 3 references. Appointments are typically for a one-year period. Five years (typically five appointments of one year) is typically the maximum total period that any individual may serve as a Scholar.
The University, in its sole discretion, has the option to renew or extend any appointment, subject to the availability of funds, past performance evaluations, and/or any other lawful reasons. For other information on the ECU Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, please visit our website at: https://rede.ecu.edu/postdoctoral/
Additional Instructions to Applicant
  • In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable.
  • Unless otherwise identified in the applicable job posting and consistent with University policy, the University will principally employ individuals who reside in the State of North Carolina to the greatest extent practicable. As such, most positions at East Carolina University require employees to live and work in North Carolina (or live within a reasonable daily commuting distance from their duty station) after hire. Candidates should be prepared to relocate within a reasonable, agreed-upon time after an offer of employment has been made and accepted to meet this requirement.
Job Open Date 03/04/2026 Open Until Filled Yes Job Close Date - Positions will be posted until 11:59 p.m. EST on this date. If no closing date is indicated, the position may close at any time after the initial screening date. Initial Screening Begins 03/11/2026 Rank Level Not Applicable Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting https://ecu.peopleadmin.com/postings/91721 Nondiscrimination Statement
East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.
Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.
Eligibility for Employment
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. If highest degree earned is from an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, final candidates are required to have their degree validated as equivalent to the degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S.
Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity
If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328-9847 or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.

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About East Carolina University

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ECU is the state’s leader and national trailblazer in distance education. Whether you want to finish what you started or start something new, East Carolina University offers more than 100 online degree and certificate programs in business, health care, education, technology, and other areas to give you the options you need to meet your objectives.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Greenville, NC, US

Year founded

1907

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