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Postdoctoral Fellow in Earth and Planetary Sciences (Perez-Mercader Group)

Harvard University

Cambridge, MAFellowship$68–73K/yrSeen 3 days agoSeen in employer's feed 3 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$68–73K/yr
Location
Cambridge, MA
Role Type
Fellowship
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive focuses on jobs in the United States, including remote roles you can work from there.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Doctorate, required

Job overview

Harvard’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences invites applications for a one-year Postdoctoral Fellow position in the Perez-Mercader Group. The fellow will conduct research in synthetic artificial biochemistry-free life mimics or chemical computation, using experimental or computer modeling approaches. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field by the appointment start date. The position also involves publishing and presenting findings, collaborating on interdisciplinary projects, and contributing to research proposals.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Research Achievement, nice to haveWritten Communication, nice to haveOral Communication, nice to haveIndependent Work, nice to haveTeamwork, nice to have

Qualifications

Ph.D. In Chemistry, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Biophysics, Computer Science, or Related Field, requiredResearch Achievement, nice to have

Full job description

Details

Title Postdoctoral Fellow in Earth and Planetary Sciences (Perez-Mercader Group)

School Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department/Area Earth and Planetary Sciences

Position Description

Job Description:

The Laboratory of Dr. Juan Perez-Mercader in Harvard’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow position. Positions are available for candidates who hold a Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, electrical engineering, biophysics, computer science, or a related field by the appointment start date who are interested in working in synthetic artificial biochemistry-free life mimics (life beyond biochemistry) or in chemical computation.

The appointment is for one year.

Responsibilities:

  1. Conduct experimental or computer modeling/phenomenology research on any of the following: (1) Polymer Chemistry and Self-assembly (e.g., PISA ), (2) Non-biochemical Evolution of Chemical Complexity, (3) Non-biochemical Self-reproducing Chemical Systems, (4) Chemical Computation using Oscillatory Chemistry or Cellular Automata, and (5) Life as we don’t know it.

  2. Publish and present research findings in high-quality scientific journals and conferences.

  3. Collaborate with PI and researchers on interdisciplinary research projects.

  4. Contribute to the preparation of research proposals.

Basic Qualifications

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, electrical engineering, biophysics, computer science, or a related field by the appointment start date.

Additional Qualifications

  1. Demonstrated record of research achievement.

  2. Strong written and oral communication skills.

  3. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Special Instructions

Application Process:

Those interested in applying are invited to send a Interested candidates should submit a CV and a short statement of their scientific interests and description of their proposed work (limited to one page and specifically addressing only one of the five topics above) to Juan Perez-Mercader ([email protected]) with a copy to Jennifer Scala ([email protected]).

Please submit the names and contact information of three professional references. Three recommendation letters are required for this position. All recommendation letters should be from experts at the ladder faculty ranks. References will receive a system-generated request to upload a letter.

Contact Information

Prof. Juan Perez-Mercader

Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences

Origins of Life Initiative

Hoffman Laboratories

Harvard University

20 Oxford Street

Cambridge, MA 02138-2902

Contact Email [email protected]

Salary Range

$67,600 – $73,116

Minimum Number of References Required 3

Maximum Number of References Allowed 3

Keywords

EEO/Non-Discrimination Commitment Statement

Harvard University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. We seek talent from all parts of society and the world, and we strive to ensure everyone at Harvard thrives. Our differences help our community advance Harvard’s academic purposes.

Harvard has an equal employment opportunity (https://pa-hrsuite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/606/docs/1678254.pdf) policy that outlines our commitment to prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or identified in the university’s non-discrimination policy (https://pa-hrsuite-production.s3.amazonaws.com/606/docs/1674140.pdf) . Harvard’s equal employment opportunity policy and non-discrimination policy help all community members participate fully in work and campus life free from harassment and discrimination.

Supplemental Questions

How this job compares

Set against the 504 open Postdoctoral Fellow jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 13, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$68–73K/yr
  • Massachusetts median$70–80K/yr69 salary ranges
  • US median$72–80K/yr346 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $70K, is 5% below the Massachusetts median midpoint ($74K) — in the lowest quarter of Postdoctoral Fellow salary ranges in Massachusetts.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 87 open Postdoctoral Fellow jobs in Massachusetts and 504 across the US. None of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Massachusetts
Experience
Postdoctoral Fellow postings that state a minimum ask for 3 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 1 to 3 years (37 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a doctorate or professional degree; 425 of the 504 open Postdoctoral Fellow jobs (84%) ask for a doctorate or professional degree.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 13, 2026. Figures based on too few postings are left out.

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