Entry Level Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs
New grad postdoctoral researcher jobs are open to recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where a strong dissertation chapter, lab rotation, or research internship can carry more weight than years on a resume. Most openings are on-site roles concentrated in Education, Healthcare & Medical Services, and Science & Research, with employers like University of Arizona, University of Virginia, and Washington University in St. Louis hiring at this level now.
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Job description: A post-doctoral position is available immediately in the Lydy lab at Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, IL, USA). The successful candidate will work on several projects including determining the impacts of pesticide exposure on predator prey relationships for salmon and striped bass, incorporation of contaminants into salmon life cycle models, and conducting field-lab research identifying pesticide exposure pathways and hotspots in aquatic waterways. The postdoc will be an important member of our ecotoxicology team, which is made up of toxicologists, chemists and wildlife biologists. The successful candidates will ideally have a background in either environmental toxicology, ecology or analytical chemistry. The aquatic toxicology lab (www.aquatictox.siu.edu) at SIU houses a well-equipped analytical chemistry lab, as well as a large modern aquatics facility. Carbondale is in a scenic portion of the state, and is near several state parks and national refuges, including the Shawnee National Forest.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in toxicology, environmental chemistry, fish ecology or related field
- Experience working with predatory prey interactions and life cycle models
- Experience working with tracking fish data and use of tracking software
- Demonstrated record analyzing data, writing results, and publishing scientific manuscripts
- Proficiency programming or coding in R, Python, or other software packages·
- Strong organizational and data management skills
- Ability to work independently and on a team
- Ability to stay on schedule and meet deadlines
Desired Qualifications
- Familiarity with the USGS Stream Salmonid Simulator (S3)
- Experience with pesticide analyses quantification using GC-MS.
Salary: Commensurate with experience (100% time) and includes a benefit package.
Effective Date of Employment: Applications are being accepted immediately with the position starting in Fall 2026. The position is expected to continue for two years; continuation is contingent upon availability of future grant funding.
Application deadline: September 15, 2026, or until filled.
Application Procedure: Send letter of intent describing research interest and goals (including specific experience conducting predatory prey studies) and a resume to: Dr. Michael Lydy, Fisheries and Illinois Aquaculture Center, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $40,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have hands-on analytical experience?
Education:
- Doctorate (Preferred)
Experience:
- Laboratory Experience: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
Job description: A post-doctoral position is available immediately in the Lydy lab at Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, IL, USA). The successful candidate will work on several projects including determining the impacts of pesticide exposure on predator prey relationships for salmon and striped bass, incorporation of contaminants into salmon life cycle models, and conducting field-lab research identifying pesticide exposure pathways and hotspots in aquatic waterways. The postdoc will be an important member of our ecotoxicology team, which is made up of toxicologists, chemists and wildlife biologists. The successful candidates will ideally have a background in either environmental toxicology, ecology or analytical chemistry. The aquatic toxicology lab (www.aquatictox.siu.edu) at SIU houses a well-equipped analytical chemistry lab, as well as a large modern aquatics facility. Carbondale is in a scenic portion of the state, and is near several state parks and national refuges, including the Shawnee National Forest.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in toxicology, environmental chemistry, fish ecology or related field
- Experience working with predatory prey interactions and life cycle models
- Experience working with tracking fish data and use of tracking software
- Demonstrated record analyzing data, writing results, and publishing scientific manuscripts
- Proficiency programming or coding in R, Python, or other software packages·
- Strong organizational and data management skills
- Ability to work independently and on a team
- Ability to stay on schedule and meet deadlines
Desired Qualifications
- Familiarity with the USGS Stream Salmonid Simulator (S3)
- Experience with pesticide analyses quantification using GC-MS.
Salary: Commensurate with experience (100% time) and includes a benefit package.
Effective Date of Employment: Applications are being accepted immediately with the position starting in Fall 2026. The position is expected to continue for two years; continuation is contingent upon availability of future grant funding.
Application deadline: September 15, 2026, or until filled.
Application Procedure: Send letter of intent describing research interest and goals (including specific experience conducting predatory prey studies) and a resume to: Dr. Michael Lydy, Fisheries and Illinois Aquaculture Center, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $40,000.00 - $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Do you have hands-on analytical experience?
Education:
- Doctorate (Preferred)
Experience:
- Laboratory Experience: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
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Top Industries Hiring
- Education64
- Healthcare & Medical Services18
- Science & Research12
- Investment & Asset Management7
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals3
Entry Level Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level postdoctoral researcher job?
Entry level postdoctoral researcher positions typically require a recently completed or near-completion doctoral degree in a relevant field. What gives candidates an edge at this stage is a focused publication record, a clear research proposal, and strong letters of recommendation from dissertation advisors. Applying to labs whose current projects align with your thesis work significantly improves your chances of a first offer.
Which companies hire entry level postdoctoral researchers?
Companies hiring entry level postdoctoral researchers right now include University of Arizona, University of Virginia, and Washington University in St. Louis, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. At this level, hiring comes from a mix of research universities, academic medical centers, national laboratories, and private-sector R&D teams that support early-career scientists building independent research programs.
Are there remote entry level postdoctoral researcher jobs?
Yes, though most postdoctoral researcher roles are lab- or campus-based, a meaningful share do offer remote or hybrid arrangements in computational, data-driven, or writing-focused positions. About 3% of entry level postdoctoral researcher openings are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, making flexibility most common in fields like bioinformatics, computational biology, and social science research.
Are these new grad postdoctoral researcher jobs?
Yes, these listings include new grad, recent graduate, and junior postdoctoral researcher roles. A posting is new-grad friendly when it welcomes candidates who have recently defended or are nearing completion of a PhD, accepts zero to two years of postdoctoral experience, and treats doctoral training itself as the primary qualification rather than requiring a prior postdoc.
Which industries hire the most entry level postdoctoral researchers?
Entry Level postdoctoral researcher roles concentrate in Education, Healthcare & Medical Services, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Those sectors drive early-career hiring because they rely on a steady pipeline of recently trained scientists to staff funded research projects, support grant deliverables, and develop the next generation of independent investigators.