How to hire a postdoc

How to hire a postdoc, step by step

Here's a step-by-step postdoc hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a postdoc job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new postdoc
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your postdoc job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a postdoc for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a postdoc to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a postdoc that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of postdocs and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Postdoc	Description	Hourly rate
   Postdoc	Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.	$22-45
   Medical Science Liaison	A medical science liaison (MSL) is a scientific professional who facilitates a working relationship between healthcare companies and leading physicians, researchers, and clinicians. Also referred to as key opinion leaders (KOL), medical science liaisons represent their company to the decision-makers in the medical community as well as to investors and government regulatory agencies... Show more	$28-172
   Research Fellow	A research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study... Show more	$18-34

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Python
   • C++
   • Data Analysis
   • Mathematics
   • Synthesis
   • Fortran
   • Molecular Biology
   • Research Projects
   • NMR
   • Visualization
   • Extraction
   • Absorption
   • Raman
   • Synchrotron

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Collaborate with software engineers to automate identification of 15N- and 13C- labele LC-MS features.
   • Succeed in the synthesis and encapsulation of the reactive nanoparticles.
   • Develop the nonlinear spectroscopy scattering method to study the surface chemistry on soot particle.
   • Determine the effects of herpes viruses upon cellular cancer pathways using, immunology, cell biology, and virology techniques.
   • Conduct the synthesis and characterization of poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide) /polystyrene (PNIPAM/PS) hybrid nanoparticles with a core-shell structure.
   • Developed/Optimize HPLC and FPLC purification methods for monoclonal and polyclonal antibody.

   More postdoc duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the postdoc job description is a good way to get more applicants. A postdoc salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a postdoc in Utah may be lower than in Hawaii, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level postdoc. Additionally, a postdoc with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average postdoc salary

   $65,875yearly

   $31.67 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level postdoc salary

   $46,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average postdoc salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$88,170	$42
   2	Tennessee	$85,314	$41
   3	Massachusetts	$76,058	$37
   4	Indiana	$75,522	$36
   5	Colorado	$66,520	$32
   6	West Virginia	$58,990	$28
   7	Pennsylvania	$58,875	$28
   8	Idaho	$58,579	$28
   9	New York	$57,518	$28
   10	Illinois	$57,396	$28
   11	New Mexico	$57,067	$27
   12	Alabama	$55,626	$27
   13	Ohio	$55,420	$27
   14	Michigan	$54,904	$26
   15	Virginia	$54,714	$26
   16	South Carolina	$46,509	$22

   Average postdoc salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	IBM	$95,310	$45.82
   2	AstraZeneca	$83,453	$40.12	1
   3	Amgen	$83,393	$40.09
   4	Genentech	$82,936	$39.87	18
   5	Argonne National Laboratory	$76,172	$36.62	74
   6	Jet Propulsion Laboratory	$76,038	$36.56
   7	Brookhaven National Laboratory	$75,826	$36.45	9
   8	Los Alamos National Laboratory	$75,290	$36.20	48
   9	Oak Ridge National Laboratory	$75,265	$36.19	20
   10	Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory	$73,827	$35.49
   11	Sandia National Labs	$73,324	$35.25	13
   12	Xerox	$72,000	$34.62
   13	Universal Health Services	$71,547	$34.40	1
   14	Clear Labs	$66,505	$31.97
   15	Alliance for Sustainable Energy	$66,333	$31.89
   16	National Renewable Energy Laboratory	$66,239	$31.85
   17	Lilly & Company	$66,200	$31.83	3
   18	Brookhaven Science Associates LLC	$66,104	$31.78	8
   19	St. Jude Children's Research Hospital	$65,275	$31.38	38
   20	Stanford University	$63,474	$30.52	2

4. Writing a postdoc job description

   A postdoc job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a postdoc job description:

   Postdoc job description example

   **HOW MIGHT YOU DEFY IMAGINATION?**
   
   You've earned your degree. How will you use that achievement to reach your goals? Do more with the knowledge you've worked hard to acquire and the passion you already have. At Amgen, our shared mission-to serve patients-drives all that we do. It is key to our becoming one of the world's leading biotechnology companies, reaching over 10 million patients worldwide. Become the professional you are meant to be in this meaningful role.
   
   **Process Development Post Doctoral Fellow-Drug Product Technologies**
   
   **Live**
   
   **What you will do**
   
   Let's do this. Let's change the world. In this dynamic role you will work in the Drug Product Technologies (DPT) department of Amgen in Thousand Oaks, CA.
   
   + Conduct independent research on oral delivery of biologics (e.g. antibodies, fusion proteins, nucleotides, or peptides)
   
   + Survey literature/database and identify the key excipients and techniques to enable oral delivery of biologics.
   
   + Perform molecular assessment, formulation development, and process optimization to advance development of oral biologic therapies.
   
   + Support the development of a platform formulation and processes for oral delivery of biologics.
   
   + Give routine presentations, draft technical reports, and prepare manuscripts for publication.
   
   **Win**
   
   **What we expect of you**
   
   We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The Scientific professional we seek is a collaborative partner with these qualifications.
   
   **Basic Qualifications**
   
   + Doctorate degree & 0-2 years of scientific experience
   
   **Preferred Qualifications**
   
   + Doctorate Degree in Pharmaceutics, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biomedical engineering or related fields.
   
   + Experience in characterization of biologics such as proteins and/or oligonucleotides
   
   + Experience in both oral dosage formulation development and characterization techniques of biologics.
   
   + Experience with development and characterization of advanced drug delivery technologies.
   
   + Abilities to take initiative, conduct independent research, and be flexible in responsibilities.
   
   + Excellent oral and written communication skills for timely documentation, presentation, and manuscript preparation in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary, team-based environment
   
   **Thrive**
   
   **Some of the vast rewards of working here**
   
   As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, so we work to care for our teammates' professional and personal growth and well-being.
   
   + Full support and career-development resources to expand your skills, enhance your expertise, and maximize your potential along your career journey
   
   + A diverse and inclusive community of belonging, where teammates are empowered to bring ideas to the table and act
   
   + Generous Total Rewards Plan-comprising health, finance and wealth, work/life balance, and career benefits-with compensation and benefits rated above 4 stars (out of 5) on Glassdoor
   
   **Apply now**
   
   **for a career that defies imagination**
   
   Objects in your future are closer than they appear. Join us.
   
   **careers.amgen.com**
   
   **\#Operations**
   
   **Equal Opportunity Statement**
   
   Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider you without regard to your race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.
   
   We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.
   
   Join Us
   
   If you're seeking a career where you can truly make a difference in the lives of others, a career where you can work at the absolute forefront of biotechnology with the top minds in the field, you'll find it at Amgen.
   
   Amgen, a biotechnology pioneer, discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics. Our medicines have helped millions of patients in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis and other serious illnesses.
   
   As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of diverse, ethical, committed and highly accomplished people who respect each other but compete intensely to win. Together, we live the Amgen values as we continue advancing science to serve patients.
   
   Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.
   
   We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
   
   Amgen requires all staff in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada to be vaccinated from COVID 19 as a condition of employment. In accordance with applicable law, Amgen will provide reasonable accommodations to staff members who qualify on the basis of a medical reason or a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. Such accommodation may not pose an undue hardship to Amgen, its operations, or its staff.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right postdoc for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your postdoc job on Zippia to find and recruit postdoc candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with postdoc candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new postdoc

   Once you've decided on a perfect postdoc candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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