Research Professor Jobs
Research professor jobs are open across universities, research institutes, federal labs, and private R&D centers, from postdoctoral transitions to endowed chair appointments, with specializations in biomedical sciences, computational research, and social sciences. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 259+ Research Professor jobs
- 10004750
- Fairfax, Virginia, United States
- Virginia, United States
- College of Science
- Default
- Faculty (Salaried)
- George Mason University
Department: College of Science
Classification: 12-month Research Faculty
Job Category: Research Faculty
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: N/A - I/R Faculty
Location: Fairfax, VA
Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible
Sponsorship Eligibility: Eligible for visa sponsorship
Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience
Restricted: Yes
Criminal Background Check: Yes
About the Department:
The Department of Physics and Astronomy includes over 40 faculty members, 100 undergraduate students (BS), and 80 graduate students (MS and PhD). Our faculty and students collaborate with local, national, and international research institutions, including the Applied Research Lab, Argonne National Laboratory, CERN, Naval Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Space Telescope Science Institute, and the US Naval Observatory. For more information on the department, see http://physics.gmu.edu
George Mason University, a Carnegie Research I institution, is Virginia's largest university with more than 39,000 students representing all 50 states and more than 135 countries. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, Mason is part of the Washington DC metropolitan area offering easy access to the scientific and political resources of the nation’s capital.
Statement on Building an Inclusive Culture
George Mason University College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and fostering an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation throughout our STEM community. At Mason Science, our values include cultivating an organizational culture that promotes belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that varied opinions, cultures, and perspectives are what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing cultural responsiveness in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.
About the Position:
This position is to support the space weather research in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at George Mason University. The research objective is to reveal and understand the physical mechanisms that are responsible for energetic eruptions on the Sun, including both solar flares and CMEs, the known main drivers of space weather. The research includes (1) using archived and latest space-based (SOHO, SDO, PSP, SolO) and ground-based (e.g., DKIST) data to study the week-long evolution of solar active regions that leads to energy buildup and structural change in eruption regions, (2) using observational data in all possible passbands to study the precursor phase and main phase of solar eruptions, (3) using analytic and numerical models to study coronal magnetic fields and their evolution for eruptions, (4) study the connection between CMEs and their heliospheric counterparts.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct research on the evolution of solar active regions using space-based and ground-based observational data to investigate the processes leading to the development and buildup of eruption-prone regions;
- Analyze observational datasets to characterize and understand the precursor and main phases of solar eruptions, including the physical mechanisms associated with their onset and development;
- Develop and apply analytical and numerical models to investigate coronal magnetic field structure and evolution, and examine the relationship between coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and their heliospheric manifestations; and
- Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals; present findings at scientific conferences and workshops; collaborate with research partners; and assist in developing and submitting proposals for externally funded research projects.
Required Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in the field of physics or astrophysics;
- At least 3 years of experience of research at the graduate and/or postdoctoral level;
- Demonstrated knowledge of solar physics and heliospheric physics;
- Skill in scientific data analysis utilizing observational datasets from solar and heliophysics missions and facilities, including SOHO, SDO, and DKIST;
- Skill in the development and application of models related to solar eruptions and associated solar phenomena;
- Ability to analyze complex scientific problems, develop innovative solutions, and apply critical thinking in a research environment; and
- Ability to effectively communicate and disseminate scientific findings through publications, presentations, and collaborations.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in the field of physics or astrophysics, with a focus on solar physics;
- Five years of experience of research at the postdoctoral level;
- Ability to conduct research related to solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs);
- Skill in analyzing heliophysics and solar observation datasets, including HMI magnetogram data, AIA imagery, and CME observational data;
- Knowledge of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) theory and its application to solar and heliospheric phenomena; and
- Knowledge of and ability to integrate observational data and MHD-based modeling techniques to investigate solar activity and space weather processes.
Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must apply for Research Assistant Professor at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent, CV, Publications/Materials, Research Statement and at least two Letters of Recommendations (to be combined into 1 document and uploaded) for review.
Posting Open Date: November 10, 2026
For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 23, 2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
- 10004750
- Fairfax, Virginia, United States
- Virginia, United States
- College of Science
- Default
- Faculty (Salaried)
- George Mason University
Department: College of Science
Classification: 12-month Research Faculty
Job Category: Research Faculty
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: N/A - I/R Faculty
Location: Fairfax, VA
Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible
Sponsorship Eligibility: Eligible for visa sponsorship
Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience
Restricted: Yes
Criminal Background Check: Yes
About the Department:
The Department of Physics and Astronomy includes over 40 faculty members, 100 undergraduate students (BS), and 80 graduate students (MS and PhD). Our faculty and students collaborate with local, national, and international research institutions, including the Applied Research Lab, Argonne National Laboratory, CERN, Naval Research Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Space Telescope Science Institute, and the US Naval Observatory. For more information on the department, see http://physics.gmu.edu
George Mason University, a Carnegie Research I institution, is Virginia's largest university with more than 39,000 students representing all 50 states and more than 135 countries. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, Mason is part of the Washington DC metropolitan area offering easy access to the scientific and political resources of the nation’s capital.
Statement on Building an Inclusive Culture
George Mason University College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and fostering an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation throughout our STEM community. At Mason Science, our values include cultivating an organizational culture that promotes belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that varied opinions, cultures, and perspectives are what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing cultural responsiveness in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.
About the Position:
This position is to support the space weather research in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at George Mason University. The research objective is to reveal and understand the physical mechanisms that are responsible for energetic eruptions on the Sun, including both solar flares and CMEs, the known main drivers of space weather. The research includes (1) using archived and latest space-based (SOHO, SDO, PSP, SolO) and ground-based (e.g., DKIST) data to study the week-long evolution of solar active regions that leads to energy buildup and structural change in eruption regions, (2) using observational data in all possible passbands to study the precursor phase and main phase of solar eruptions, (3) using analytic and numerical models to study coronal magnetic fields and their evolution for eruptions, (4) study the connection between CMEs and their heliospheric counterparts.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct research on the evolution of solar active regions using space-based and ground-based observational data to investigate the processes leading to the development and buildup of eruption-prone regions;
- Analyze observational datasets to characterize and understand the precursor and main phases of solar eruptions, including the physical mechanisms associated with their onset and development;
- Develop and apply analytical and numerical models to investigate coronal magnetic field structure and evolution, and examine the relationship between coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and their heliospheric manifestations; and
- Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals; present findings at scientific conferences and workshops; collaborate with research partners; and assist in developing and submitting proposals for externally funded research projects.
Required Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in the field of physics or astrophysics;
- At least 3 years of experience of research at the graduate and/or postdoctoral level;
- Demonstrated knowledge of solar physics and heliospheric physics;
- Skill in scientific data analysis utilizing observational datasets from solar and heliophysics missions and facilities, including SOHO, SDO, and DKIST;
- Skill in the development and application of models related to solar eruptions and associated solar phenomena;
- Ability to analyze complex scientific problems, develop innovative solutions, and apply critical thinking in a research environment; and
- Ability to effectively communicate and disseminate scientific findings through publications, presentations, and collaborations.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in the field of physics or astrophysics, with a focus on solar physics;
- Five years of experience of research at the postdoctoral level;
- Ability to conduct research related to solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs);
- Skill in analyzing heliophysics and solar observation datasets, including HMI magnetogram data, AIA imagery, and CME observational data;
- Knowledge of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) theory and its application to solar and heliospheric phenomena; and
- Knowledge of and ability to integrate observational data and MHD-based modeling techniques to investigate solar activity and space weather processes.
Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must apply for Research Assistant Professor at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent, CV, Publications/Materials, Research Statement and at least two Letters of Recommendations (to be combined into 1 document and uploaded) for review.
Posting Open Date: November 10, 2026
For Full Consideration, Apply by: November 23, 2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
See All 259+ Research Professor Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Professor JobsResearch Professor Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Indiana University17
- University of Southern California14
- University of Virginia10
- UC San Diego8
- Virginia Tech8
Top Industries Hiring
- Education68
- Healthcare & Medical Services8
- Science & Research5
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research professor jobs.
- Earned doctoral degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution
- Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals
- Experience securing extramural funding as principal or co-principal investigator
- Ability to mentor graduate students and supervise laboratory or field research
- Proficiency with statistical analysis software such as R, Python, or SPSS
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for grant writing and presentations
Tips for Your Research Professor Job Search
Lead with your funding history
Committees want to know you can bring in external dollars. Place your grant record, including PI and co-PI roles, funding agencies, and award sizes, in the top third of your CV rather than burying it under publications.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists research professor openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Request feedback on your research statement
Your research statement is the most scrutinized document in an academic search. Ask a mentor outside your subfield to read it. If they can't follow your three-year research agenda by the second paragraph, the committee won't either.
Prepare a job talk that opens to non-specialists
Most search committees include faculty from adjacent fields. Open your job talk with a problem statement a non-specialist understands before moving into methodology. Candidates who lose the room in the first five minutes rarely recover, regardless of their later slides.
Negotiate startup funds before accepting
Salary is often constrained by institutional bands, but startup packages for lab equipment, graduate student support, and travel are negotiable. Know your first-year research costs before the offer call so you can make a specific, documented request.
Research Professor Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most research professors?
The most active employers for research professors right now are Indiana University, University of Southern California, and University of Virginia, and the most openings are in Texas, California, and Virginia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Research universities and federally funded R&D centers tend to post the highest volume of openings.
How many research professor jobs are remote?
About 17% of research professor openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though the share varies significantly by subfield. Computational, data science, and social science research roles are the most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements, while laboratory-based and clinical research positions typically require on-site presence.
How do you become a research professor?
You typically earn a doctoral degree, complete one or more postdoctoral appointments to build an independent publication record, and develop a funded research agenda. From there, you apply to open faculty or research professor positions, present a job talk to the hiring department, and negotiate a startup package before joining the institution.
Can you get a research professor role with limited experience?
Candidates with fewer years of experience can be competitive if they have strong first-author publications, a clear and fundable research agenda, and letters from established researchers who can speak to their independence. Applying to teaching-intensive institutions, research centers, or postdoctoral bridge programs can also build the credentials needed for a more competitive search later.
What does the research professor interview process look like?
Most searches begin with a screening call or video interview with the search committee, followed by an invitation for a campus visit. The campus visit typically includes a research presentation or job talk, meetings with faculty, graduate students, and department leadership, and sometimes a teaching demonstration. Final candidates usually receive an offer after the department votes and the dean approves.
Where can I find and apply to research professor jobs?
You can find and apply to research professor jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from universities, research institutes, and R&D centers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your field and experience level, then apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 259+ Research Professor Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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