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Northeastern

Global research university with co-op education

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
$60.3k - $85.2k
Mid
PhD
Boston, MA, USA
In Person
Academic & Institutional ResearchPhysical Sciences

About the job

Requirements
  • A Ph.D. or equivalent in Physics or Astronomy is required.
  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, attention to detail, and training in research methodology and quantitative data analysis are essential.
  • The ability to communicate and coordinate with multiple senior researchers from different fields is required.
  • The ability to undertake substantially full-time research or scholarship and work under the supervision of a senior scholar is required.
Responsibilities
  • Perform basic or applied research of limited scope, primarily using existing theories and methods, and innovate when those are insufficient.
  • Assist the supervisor in interpreting and publishing results and grants.
  • Maintain the laboratory research team and ensure that the research is complete.
  • May exercise functional supervision over supporting research staff.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience in writing proposals is a plus.
  • Project management experience is a plus.

About the company

Northeastern is a global research university focused on experiential learning and discovery. It combines classroom study with professional work through its extensive cooperative education program, allowing students to alternate between academics, paid internships, research, service, and global study in 100 countries. Its approach links education to real-world problems, supported by collaborations across campuses in Boston, Charlotte, Seattle, San Francisco Bay Area, Toronto, and satellite sites in Burlington and Nahant. The university’s research agenda is use-inspired, addressing health, security, and sustainability challenges through interdisciplinary teams and institutes. Northeastern aims to prepare graduates with practical experience while advancing knowledge to tackle global issues across multiple disciplines.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

N/A

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • The July 2026 New York City campus launch expands admissions, brand, and employer access immediately.
  • The 840 Columbus residence hall adds 1,215 beds, supporting Boston enrollment growth through 2027.
  • Massachusetts awarded Northeastern $207,538.62 in FY26 safety research funding, validating its public-policy research engine.

What critics are saying

  • March 2025 hiring slowdowns and conservative FY26 budgets signal ongoing cost pressure.
  • Loss of two USAID grants in 2025 cuts research revenue and weakens federally funded labs.
  • Trade-secret litigation and Stephen Stoute appeals distract leadership and can escalate legal costs in FY27.

What makes Northeastern unique

  • Northeastern fused Marymount Manhattan on July 9, 2026, adding a New York City degree-granting campus.
  • Its co-op model still dominates experiential learning, anchoring employer relationships across campuses.
  • The network spans Boston, Oakland, London, and New York, widening student mobility and recruiting reach.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off
  • Paid Vacation
  • Wellness Program
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan