Postdoctoral Research Fellow – School of Public Health Full-time NEW

Postdoctoral Fellowship

A one-year Postdoctoral Fellowship is available with Dr. Virginia McKay for the 2026-2027 academic year. We are particularly interested in postdoctoral fellows who can advance research on translation and dissemination of interventions in infectious diseases. The fellowship will begin in summer 2026 with a flexible start window between July and August. The program is designed for emerging professionals in public health who are passionate about the intersection of infectious diseases and dissemination and implementation science. Fellows gain advanced applied experience in public health research, statistical analyses and translational science.

School of Public Health WashU launched the School of Public Health in January 2025 – the University's first new School in 100 years. The School is led by the inaugural Dean, Dr. Sandro Galea and is at the center of Washington University's aspirations for interdisciplinary scholarship, education, and translation of the work. With the Dean of the School of Public Health also serving as the Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary Initiatives, there is a moment-in-time opportunity to transform not only how academic public health is conducted worldwide, but also how WashU's breadth of scholarship across disciplines is conducted and applied. In its first year, the School welcomed students, applied for accreditation, recruited faculty, appointed secondary faculty, and executed convenings to encourage public health dialogue and raise the profile of the School nationally. The school has an ambitious 4×4 plan and is working swiftly to become a leading school of public health.

Program of Research Dr. McKay leads a robust program of research primarily in dissemination and implementation science, infectious diseases, and systems science. This work is supported by a mix of funding sources from the National Institutes of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and foundation grants. She is the assistant director of research in the Center for Public Health Systems Science, and she co-leads the Dissemination and Implementation Research Core for the Midwest Developmental Center for AIDS Research.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Information on being a postdoc at WashU in St. Louis can be found at https://postdoc.wustl.edu/prospective-postdocs-2/.

Trains under the supervision of a faculty mentor including (but not limited to):

• Develops an independent and ambitious research program consistent with the themes of the fellowship.
• Develops a robust track record of academic papers submitted in line with the fellow's research agenda.
• Participates in grant preparation and reporting.
• Engages in translation of science and scholarship to achieve a broader reach for our work.
• Assists in the design of research projects including implementation of research.
• Maintains conformity with ethical standards in research.
• Maintains collegial conduct towards co-trainees, staff members and members.
• Adheres to all applicable University policies, procedures and regulations. All data, research records and materials and other intellectual property generated at the University remain the property of the University.

Working Conditions: This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

Salary Range: Base pay is commensurate with experience.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education: Ph.D., M.D. Or Equivalent Terminal Or Doctoral Degree.

Certifications /Professional Licenses : No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience: No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills: Not Applicable

Driver's License: A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Certifications /Professional Licenses : No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience: No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills: Not Applicable

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University's policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.