Explore Postdoctoral Scientist Jobs

Find postdoctoral scientist opportunities that build on your doctoral training and advance your research career. Postdoctoral scientists conduct focused research, develop specialized expertise, and contribute to scientific discoveries across universities, hospitals, government agencies, and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Browse vetted professional openings on Ladders, including roles with salaries of $100,000 or more.

What Does a Postdoctoral Scientist Do?

A postdoctoral scientist, often called a postdoctoral researcher or postdoc, typically holds a Ph.D. or other relevant doctoral degree and works on research projects after completing graduate study. Responsibilities vary by discipline and employer, but may include designing experiments, analyzing data, publishing findings, preparing grant proposals, collaborating with research teams, and presenting results. Some positions also involve mentoring students or managing laboratory and project activities.

Where Postdoctoral Scientists Work

Postdoctoral scientists work in academic departments, research institutes, medical centers, government laboratories, and private-sector organizations. Roles may focus on areas such as life sciences, biomedical research, chemistry, physics, engineering, data science, or environmental science. Search by specialty, location, and employer to find opportunities aligned with your research background and career goals.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers commonly seek a doctorate in a relevant field, a strong research record, and experience with methods or tools specific to the position. Critical thinking, clear scientific writing, collaboration, and project management are valuable across disciplines. Review each listing for its required qualifications, research focus, and expectations, since postdoctoral roles can differ substantially in scope and compensation.

Build Your Next Research Career Step

A postdoctoral position can deepen subject-matter expertise, expand your publication record, and help you develop a professional network. For candidates considering leadership, industry, or independent research careers, the right role can offer experience that supports the next move. Explore postdoctoral scientist jobs on Ladders and find vetted opportunities paying $100,000 or more.

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$130K - $209K *

Champion statistical excellence by leading innovative data analysis and monitoring initiatives. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance product lifecycle activities and regulatory submissions, while...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Grow your career with a dynamic team focused on cancer research, driving innovative discoveries in cell and molecular biology. Contribute to groundbreaking projects using advanced technologies in a co...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$74K - $118K *

Collaborate and execute protein expression, purification, and characterization. Support vaccine and therapeutic development in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary team, while optimizing workflows and ensu...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$176K - $287K *

Shape the future of clinical development by leading innovative studies in Internal Medicine. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure scientific integrity and drive impactful research that tr...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$176K - $287K *

Grow your career with a dynamic team driving innovative clinical studies in Internal Medicine. Contribute to impactful drug development programs while collaborating across functions to ensure scientif...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$176K - $287K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing clinical studies in Internal Medicine. Contribute your expertise in Immunology to ensure scientific integrity and drive innovative research in a collaborative...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $224K *

Transform your career by leading innovative cell culture experiments and process development for next-generation therapies. Collaborate with diverse teams to drive impactful outcomes and establish rob...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$128K - $198K *

Drive the development and validation of electron diffraction characterization workflows, translating complex data into structured outputs to enhance materials discovery and collaboration with cross-fu...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $190K *

Unlock potential by re-engineering core ML systems for peak performance, combining deep expertise in HPC and parallel programming with novel algorithms to drive the future of quantitative research in...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$122K - $143K *

Drive innovation as a postdoctoral researcher in energy and climate, advancing continuum modeling and simulation. Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams to optimize systems for energy generation, stor...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$122K - $143K *

Unlock potential by conducting cutting-edge research in energy systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop and optimize simulation tools for advanced modeling in energy generation, co...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in ensuring product safety through expert toxicology evaluations, collaborating across teams to support innovation and compliance. Drive impactful research and engage with external par...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$176K - $287K *

Engage in a pivotal role driving clinical science strategy, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design and execute clinical studies, ensuring patient safety and data integrity while mentoring...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$176K - $287K *

Lead the charge in clinical science strategy, partnering with Medical Directors to design impactful studies, ensuring patient safety and data integrity while mentoring junior colleagues and driving pr...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$176K - $287K *

Deliver clinical science strategy and lead studies in genetics medicine, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure patient safety and data integrity while mentoring junior colleagues and dri...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Unlock potential by collaborating across teams to drive data integrity and safety in oncology clinical studies while developing comprehensive medical review plans and managing project deliverables...

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Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$116K - $182K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of clinical development by leading cross-functional teams to drive innovative strategies that ensure the successful approval of groundbreaking therapies across mu...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $160K *

Elevate your career by providing high-level administrative support to the CEO. Manage calendars, communications, and special projects while ensuring confidentiality and efficiency in a dynamic environ...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Pioneer the Program Management Office, driving strategic alignment and efficiency across projects. Lead and mentor a dynamic team, implement best practices, and enhance organizational processes to ach...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$80K - $95K *

Empower scientific research by developing lab automation protocols and optimizing cutting-edge robotics tools to enhance throughput and efficiency, directly contributing to biotechnology advancements...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $222K *

Join a team dedicated to advancing immunology and translational strategies. Drive discovery programs in autoimmune and lung diseases while mentoring scientists and shaping innovative approaches in res...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$119K - $179K *

Unlock innovative research as a Senior Scientist, driving experimental excellence and strategic project execution in high throughput biology to advance scientific understanding and methodologies acros...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$176K - $246K *

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute oncology clinical studies, ensuring quality data and regulatory compliance while advancing programs through critical development milestones in a fast...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $175K *

Drive innovation as a Senior Quantum Computational Materials Scientist, guiding research efforts in quantum applications for materials science. Lead initiatives, promote collaboration, and contribute...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$88K - $105K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative workflows that enhance sales and customer success. Collaborate with experts to generate scientific content and provide application support, ensuring high-quali...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What is a postdoctoral scientist?question toggle

    A postdoctoral scientist is a researcher who has completed a doctorate and takes on a time-limited research role to gain further expertise, contribute to projects, and develop a career in science or a related field.

  • What qualifications do postdoctoral scientist jobs require?question toggle

    Most positions require a Ph.D. or another relevant doctoral degree, along with research experience suited to the subject area. Specific requirements may include laboratory techniques, analytical tools, publications, or specialized technical knowledge.

  • Where can postdoctoral scientists find jobs?question toggle

    Postdoctoral scientists work at universities, research institutes, hospitals, government laboratories, and private companies. Browse Ladders for vetted professional openings, including roles paying $100,000 or more.

  • What does a postdoctoral scientist do day to day?question toggle

    Daily work depends on the research field and employer. It may include planning and conducting studies, analyzing results, writing papers, collaborating with colleagues, presenting findings, and supporting grant or project work.

  • Are postdoctoral scientist jobs available in industry?question toggle

    Yes. Biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical technology, and other research-driven companies hire postdoctoral scientists for specialized research and development work, in addition to academic and public-sector employers.