Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs
Postdoctoral research associate jobs are open across universities, research institutes, pharmaceutical companies, and government laboratories, from entry-level postdoc to senior research associate, with specializations in molecular biology, computational science, and materials research. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 471+ Postdoctoral Research Associate jobs
The Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology at the University of Arizona is dedicated to understanding the fundamental structures of life, exploring how biological molecules function within cells and how these processes are regulated through genetics. Our collaborative and innovative research community spans a broad range of disciplines. The Duhamel Lab studies the role of microorganisms in biogeochemical transformations, their adaptation to different environments, and their stress response. As part of this dynamic environment, you will have the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research and collaborate with a multidisciplinary group of scientists advancing discoveries in biology.
The Duhamel Lab at the University of Arizona (Marine Microbial Ecology and Biogeochemistry) invites you to apply for the role of Postdoctoral Research Associate in Marine Microbial Ecology. In this role, you will lead NSF-funded laboratory research (the P-MixSwitch project, in collaboration with Susquehanna University) investigating whether prasinophyte mixoplankton switch from photosynthesis to prey ingestion when phosphorus becomes scarce. You will design and conduct steady-state continuous-culture experiments with radioisotope tracers (14C and 33P) to quantify carbon and phosphorus acquisition from photosynthetic and phagotrophic pathways, together with physiological and biochemical measurements. You will analyze, synthesize, and publish results; present findings at national and international conferences; and coordinate experiments with collaborators at Susquehanna University. You will also assist the PI with mentoring undergraduate researchers and participate in the project's education and outreach activities.
This is a full-time, 24-month postdoctoral appointment funded by a National Science Foundation Biological Oceanography award (the collaborative P-MixSwitch project with Susquehanna University), and is renewed annually contingent on performance and funding. The anticipated start date is early 2027 (negotiable). The position includes funded travel to present findings at national and international conferences and structured career development under the project's postdoctoral mentoring plan. Work is performed in the Duhamel Lab and involves laboratory research with algal cultures, chemicals, and radioisotope tracers.
Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!
The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs.
- Lead laboratory culture experiments with prasinophyte mixoplankton and bacterial prey by:
- Designing, setting up, and operating exponentially fed batch (EFB) continuous cultures.
- Monitoring steady-state growth.
- Conducting experimental sampling.
- Performing sample analyses in collaboration with a research laboratory technician and the PI.
- Coordinate experiments with the collaborating postdoctoral scientist and PI at Susquehanna University by:
- Planning experiment timelines.
- Hosting their research visits to Tucson.
- Conduct radioisotope tracer experiments (14C-bicarbonate, 33P-phosphate, and dual-labeled bacterial prey) to quantify carbon and phosphorus uptake from osmoautotrophic and phagotrophic pathways.
- Perform physiological and biochemical measurements (e.g., flow cytometry, prey ingestion assays, chlorophyll, cellular energy charge, alkaline phosphatase activity, nutrient analyses).
- Analyze and synthesize experimental data.
- Prepare and publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.
- Present research findings at national and international conferences (e.g., ASLO Ocean Sciences).
- Assist the PI with data management and reporting, and in mentoring undergraduate researchers.
- Participate in the project's education and outreach activities (e.g., high school workshops and public science events).
The successful Candidate must complete the University of Arizona laboratory safety and radiation safety training to work with radioisotopes under the laboratory's authorization.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
- Knowledge of aquatic microbial ecology, phytoplankton physiology, and marine biogeochemistry.
- Knowledge of laboratory and radiation safety practices related to work with chemicals and radioisotopes (training will be provided).
- Skill in microbial and phytoplankton culturing and sterile technique, including continuous culture systems.
- Skill in quantitative instrumental analyses (e.g., flow cytometry, fluorometry, and liquid scintillation counting).
- Skill in scientific writing and data analysis using tools such as R or Python.
- Ability to design, execute, and troubleshoot complex experiments independently.
- Ability to organize and prioritize work across concurrent experiments and coordinate with a multi-institutional team.
- Ability to communicate results effectively through publications and presentations and to mentor undergraduate researchers.
Physical Requirements and Environmental Demands:
- Work is performed primarily in a research laboratory environment.
- Requires the ability to access and work throughout laboratory areas, which may include extended periods of standing and walking, and to perform repetitive laboratory procedures.
- Requires handling laboratory equipment, chemicals, biological materials, and, following required training, radioisotopes.
- Must adhere to established laboratory safety procedures and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Valerie McClure
Human Resources Generalist
vmcclure@arizona.edu
- Current Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Cover letter.
- Contact information for three professional references.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.
The Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology at the University of Arizona is dedicated to understanding the fundamental structures of life, exploring how biological molecules function within cells and how these processes are regulated through genetics. Our collaborative and innovative research community spans a broad range of disciplines. The Duhamel Lab studies the role of microorganisms in biogeochemical transformations, their adaptation to different environments, and their stress response. As part of this dynamic environment, you will have the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research and collaborate with a multidisciplinary group of scientists advancing discoveries in biology.
The Duhamel Lab at the University of Arizona (Marine Microbial Ecology and Biogeochemistry) invites you to apply for the role of Postdoctoral Research Associate in Marine Microbial Ecology. In this role, you will lead NSF-funded laboratory research (the P-MixSwitch project, in collaboration with Susquehanna University) investigating whether prasinophyte mixoplankton switch from photosynthesis to prey ingestion when phosphorus becomes scarce. You will design and conduct steady-state continuous-culture experiments with radioisotope tracers (14C and 33P) to quantify carbon and phosphorus acquisition from photosynthetic and phagotrophic pathways, together with physiological and biochemical measurements. You will analyze, synthesize, and publish results; present findings at national and international conferences; and coordinate experiments with collaborators at Susquehanna University. You will also assist the PI with mentoring undergraduate researchers and participate in the project's education and outreach activities.
This is a full-time, 24-month postdoctoral appointment funded by a National Science Foundation Biological Oceanography award (the collaborative P-MixSwitch project with Susquehanna University), and is renewed annually contingent on performance and funding. The anticipated start date is early 2027 (negotiable). The position includes funded travel to present findings at national and international conferences and structured career development under the project's postdoctoral mentoring plan. Work is performed in the Duhamel Lab and involves laboratory research with algal cultures, chemicals, and radioisotope tracers.
Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!
The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs.
- Lead laboratory culture experiments with prasinophyte mixoplankton and bacterial prey by:
- Designing, setting up, and operating exponentially fed batch (EFB) continuous cultures.
- Monitoring steady-state growth.
- Conducting experimental sampling.
- Performing sample analyses in collaboration with a research laboratory technician and the PI.
- Coordinate experiments with the collaborating postdoctoral scientist and PI at Susquehanna University by:
- Planning experiment timelines.
- Hosting their research visits to Tucson.
- Conduct radioisotope tracer experiments (14C-bicarbonate, 33P-phosphate, and dual-labeled bacterial prey) to quantify carbon and phosphorus uptake from osmoautotrophic and phagotrophic pathways.
- Perform physiological and biochemical measurements (e.g., flow cytometry, prey ingestion assays, chlorophyll, cellular energy charge, alkaline phosphatase activity, nutrient analyses).
- Analyze and synthesize experimental data.
- Prepare and publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.
- Present research findings at national and international conferences (e.g., ASLO Ocean Sciences).
- Assist the PI with data management and reporting, and in mentoring undergraduate researchers.
- Participate in the project's education and outreach activities (e.g., high school workshops and public science events).
The successful Candidate must complete the University of Arizona laboratory safety and radiation safety training to work with radioisotopes under the laboratory's authorization.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
- Knowledge of aquatic microbial ecology, phytoplankton physiology, and marine biogeochemistry.
- Knowledge of laboratory and radiation safety practices related to work with chemicals and radioisotopes (training will be provided).
- Skill in microbial and phytoplankton culturing and sterile technique, including continuous culture systems.
- Skill in quantitative instrumental analyses (e.g., flow cytometry, fluorometry, and liquid scintillation counting).
- Skill in scientific writing and data analysis using tools such as R or Python.
- Ability to design, execute, and troubleshoot complex experiments independently.
- Ability to organize and prioritize work across concurrent experiments and coordinate with a multi-institutional team.
- Ability to communicate results effectively through publications and presentations and to mentor undergraduate researchers.
Physical Requirements and Environmental Demands:
- Work is performed primarily in a research laboratory environment.
- Requires the ability to access and work throughout laboratory areas, which may include extended periods of standing and walking, and to perform repetitive laboratory procedures.
- Requires handling laboratory equipment, chemicals, biological materials, and, following required training, radioisotopes.
- Must adhere to established laboratory safety procedures and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Valerie McClure
Human Resources Generalist
vmcclure@arizona.edu
- Current Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Cover letter.
- Contact information for three professional references.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.
Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsPostdoctoral Research Associate Job Market
Who's Hiring
- UT Southwestern Medical Center57
- University of Arizona27
- Los Alamos National Laboratory27
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital26
- MD Anderson Cancer Center14
Top Industries Hiring
- Education117
- Healthcare & Medical Services23
- Science & Research13
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals5
- Retail1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in postdoctoral research associate jobs.
- PhD in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering
- Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publication or manuscript preparation
- Proficiency in laboratory techniques specific to the hiring lab's research area
- Experience with data analysis tools such as Python, R, MATLAB, or ImageJ
- Ability to independently design, execute, and troubleshoot experiments
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for grant writing and presentations
Tips for Your Postdoctoral Research Associate Job Search
Tailor your CV to each lab's focus
Postdoc applications live or die on specificity. Mirror the principal investigator's active research agenda in your cover letter and reorder your publications list so the work most relevant to that lab's current grants appears first.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists postdoctoral research associate openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Lead your CV with your dissertation output
Hiring committees scan for publications, preprints, and conference presentations before reading anything else. List first-author papers at the top of your CV, including accepted manuscripts and preprints, not just final published versions.
Contact principal investigators directly before applying
Many postdoc positions are filled through direct outreach before a formal listing goes live. Email the PI with a concise research statement tied to a specific paper they published in the last two years, then follow up through the official application portal.
Prepare a chalk talk for the interview stage
Most postdoc interviews include a research seminar and a chalk talk where you outline your independent research agenda. Practice articulating two or three original project ideas that complement the lab's existing work without duplicating it.
Negotiate startup resources, not just stipend
When you receive an offer, ask about access to core facilities, conference travel funding, and authorship norms before you accept. These shape your productivity and your publication record far more than a small stipend difference.
Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most postdoctoral research associates?
The companies hiring the most postdoctoral research associates right now include UT Southwestern Medical Center, University of Arizona, and Los Alamos National Laboratory, with the largest share of openings in Texas, California, and Massachusetts, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Research universities and national laboratories tend to post the highest volume of openings at any given time.
How many postdoctoral research associate jobs are remote?
About 17% of postdoctoral research associate openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most lab-based research. Computational, bioinformatics, and data-science-focused postdoc roles are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements, since their work centers on software and modeling rather than bench work.
How do you become a postdoctoral research associate?
You become a postdoctoral research associate by completing a doctoral degree, then securing a position in a research group led by a principal investigator in your field. The process involves identifying labs whose work aligns with your dissertation research, submitting a CV and research statement, interviewing with the PI and lab members, and negotiating a start date and project scope before joining.
Can you get a postdoctoral research associate position with no prior postdoc experience?
Yes, a postdoc is itself an entry-level position for researchers who have just completed their PhD, so prior postdoc experience is not expected. What matters most is the strength of your doctoral research, your publications or manuscripts in progress, strong letters from your dissertation committee, and a clear alignment between your expertise and the hiring lab's active projects.
What does the postdoctoral research associate interview process look like?
The interview process typically involves an initial call with the principal investigator, followed by an in-person or virtual visit that includes a research seminar where you present your doctoral work and a chalk talk where you outline future research directions. You will also meet with other lab members and sometimes department faculty, who assess how well your research vision fits the lab's goals and funding priorities.
Where can I find and apply to postdoctoral research associate jobs?
You can find and apply to postdoctoral research associate jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your research background and specialization, then apply directly to each listing that fits your goals and qualifications.
See All 471+ Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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