Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs in Virginia
Postdoctoral Researcher jobs in Virginia are concentrated in one of the most research-dense markets on the East Coast, driven by federal funding pipelines, major public universities, and a robust national security research ecosystem stretching from Northern Virginia to the Hampton Roads corridor. The heaviest hiring comes out of Charlottesville, Richmond, and the Northern Virginia suburbs, where institutions like the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the Institute for Defense Analyses maintain active postdoctoral programs. The most in-demand specializations include computational biology, materials science, and cybersecurity-adjacent data science. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 25+ Postdoctoral Researcher jobs
Muscle contraction is required for vital bodily functions such as breathing, heart contractility, and movement. It is based on the interaction between two filamentous systems: the thick (myosin) and the thin (actin) filaments. This interaction is regulated by Ca2+ and myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C). We use state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy and computational approaches to study the regulation of thin filaments by Ca2+ and cMyBP-C in order to reveal molecular mechanisms that underlie heart diseases. Our studies pave the way for new therapeutic approaches and drug discovery. We are looking for a postdoctoral fellow who either has experience working with muscle proteins or has training in high-resolution cryo-EM.
Job Responsibilities:Image analysis of cryo-EM images of thin filaments, their complexes with cMyBP-C, or pathogenic variants.
Purification of thin filaments, preparation of samples fror cryo-EM
Education and/or training: PhD
Level and type of experience: experience working with muscle proteins or training in high-resolution cryo-EM
Specific knowledge, skills, and abilities: knowledge of the structure of cardiac muscle and its components, experience in biochemistry or biophysical approaches to muscle proteins; and/or experience in cryo-EM, RELION, Cryo-SPARC, PHENIX, Chimera
Other: knowledge of modeling and MDS is a plus
This position is being filled through the Research Foundation, which is a separate entity from Old Dominion University (ODU). While we work in support of ODU, the Research Foundation operates independently and is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
To apply: click Job Browsing; and follow the link for position #26-046. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled
The organization is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer (AA/EOE/M/F/Disability/VETS/Drug-Free Workplace). We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all individuals in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Employment decisions — including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, and promotion — are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Affirmative action efforts are conducted consistent with applicable laws to promote equal opportunity in employment and advancement.
As part of our commitment to pay transparency and compliance with applicable laws, the Research Foundation includes a good-faith salary range in all job postings. These ranges represent the expected hiring range for the position, not the full compensation band.
Final salary offers may vary depending on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, internal equity, and budget availability. The anticipated salary range for this position is: $60,000.00 to $70,000.00
Muscle contraction is required for vital bodily functions such as breathing, heart contractility, and movement. It is based on the interaction between two filamentous systems: the thick (myosin) and the thin (actin) filaments. This interaction is regulated by Ca2+ and myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C). We use state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy and computational approaches to study the regulation of thin filaments by Ca2+ and cMyBP-C in order to reveal molecular mechanisms that underlie heart diseases. Our studies pave the way for new therapeutic approaches and drug discovery. We are looking for a postdoctoral fellow who either has experience working with muscle proteins or has training in high-resolution cryo-EM.
Job Responsibilities:Image analysis of cryo-EM images of thin filaments, their complexes with cMyBP-C, or pathogenic variants.
Purification of thin filaments, preparation of samples fror cryo-EM
Education and/or training: PhD
Level and type of experience: experience working with muscle proteins or training in high-resolution cryo-EM
Specific knowledge, skills, and abilities: knowledge of the structure of cardiac muscle and its components, experience in biochemistry or biophysical approaches to muscle proteins; and/or experience in cryo-EM, RELION, Cryo-SPARC, PHENIX, Chimera
Other: knowledge of modeling and MDS is a plus
This position is being filled through the Research Foundation, which is a separate entity from Old Dominion University (ODU). While we work in support of ODU, the Research Foundation operates independently and is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
To apply: click Job Browsing; and follow the link for position #26-046. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled
The organization is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer (AA/EOE/M/F/Disability/VETS/Drug-Free Workplace). We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all individuals in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Employment decisions — including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, and promotion — are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Affirmative action efforts are conducted consistent with applicable laws to promote equal opportunity in employment and advancement.
As part of our commitment to pay transparency and compliance with applicable laws, the Research Foundation includes a good-faith salary range in all job postings. These ranges represent the expected hiring range for the position, not the full compensation band.
Final salary offers may vary depending on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, internal equity, and budget availability. The anticipated salary range for this position is: $60,000.00 to $70,000.00
See All 25 Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Postdoctoral Researcher JobsPostdoctoral Researcher Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Postdoctoral Researcher Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- University of Virginia13
- Old Dominion University5
- William & Mary3
- Virginia Tech1
- Inova Health System1
Top Industries Hiring
- Education12
- Healthcare & Medical Services8
- Investment & Asset Management8
- Science & Research2
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in postdoctoral researcher jobs across Virginia.
- PhD in a relevant discipline completed before the appointment start date
- Demonstrated research output including peer-reviewed publications or preprints
- Experience with grant writing or federally funded research projects preferred
- Proficiency with specialized laboratory, computational, or statistical tools specific to the field
- Ability to mentor graduate students and contribute to departmental research programs
- Strong written communication skills for manuscript preparation and technical reporting
Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a postdoctoral researcher in Virginia?
Becoming a postdoctoral researcher in Virginia requires a completed doctoral degree in the relevant discipline, typically conferred before the appointment begins. Virginia does not issue a state license specific to postdoctoral research, so hiring is governed by institutional requirements at universities, federal labs, and research centers. Most positions are filled through direct application to academic departments, federal agency labs like those affiliated with NASA Langley or the Department of Defense, or research institutes connected to Virginia's major public universities.
Which companies hire postdoctoral researchers in Virginia?
Companies currently hiring postdoctoral researchers in Virginia include University of Virginia, Old Dominion University, and William & Mary, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's mix of research universities, federally funded laboratories, and defense-adjacent science firms means postdoctoral openings appear across both academic and private-sector employers throughout the state.
Which Virginia cities have the most postdoctoral researcher jobs?
Charlottesville, Norfolk, and Virginia consistently account for the largest share of postdoctoral researcher openings in Virginia. Charlottesville's concentration reflects the University of Virginia's large research enterprise, Richmond draws from Virginia Commonwealth University's health sciences programs, and Northern Virginia's volume is driven by proximity to federal agencies, defense contractors, and applied research institutes that fund postdoctoral fellowships across science and engineering disciplines.
Are there remote postdoctoral researcher jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're rare. Postdoctoral research is predominantly hands-on, requiring lab access, specialized instrumentation, or on-campus collaboration, which limits fully remote arrangements. About 60% of postdoctoral researcher openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those that are tend to involve computational modeling, data analysis, or policy-oriented research roles that do not require physical lab presence.
How can I get hired as a postdoctoral researcher in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic path for candidates with limited postdoctoral experience is applying to structured fellowship programs at Virginia's research universities, particularly those at the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University, which routinely onboard early-career researchers into mentored positions. Candidates who have completed dissertation research but lack formal postdoctoral appointments often enter through research associate or visiting scholar roles that serve as a bridge. A strong publication record, even from doctoral work, and demonstrated familiarity with the lab techniques or computational methods central to the posting give early-career applicants a meaningful advantage.
Where can I find and apply to postdoctoral researcher jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to postdoctoral researcher jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your research background and apply directly to the ones that fit your experience and career stage.
See All 25 Postdoctoral Researcher Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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