What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Fellowship - School of Public Health position at Washington University in St. Louis?
Position Summary
The Ryan Institute for Interdisciplinary Health Solutions (RIIHS) within the School of Public Health at WashU is pleased to offer two full-time, two-year Postdoctoral Fellowships for the 2026-2028 academic years:
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 WashU’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 4x4 plan and is working swiftly to become a leading school of public health.
Ryan Institute for Interdisciplinary Health Solutions
RIIHS at the School of Public Health at WashU aims to develop innovative interdisciplinary science that identifies transformative solutions to the world’s most pressing health challenges. Bringing together faculty, policymakers, industry partners, and thought leaders, the Institute will accelerate discovery, training, translation and implementation to rewrite the story of global population health. Its mission is both intellectual and practical: to generate transformative science, train future leaders, and ensure that research rapidly informs solutions. Anchored in the aspiration of achieving health for everyone around the world, the Institute will catalyze scholarship of consequence by convening high-level global dialogues, investing in interdisciplinary research that drives sustainable improvements in health and well-being worldwide and supporting postdoctoral fellows.
Job Description
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 Two Faculty Mentors (one Primary In The School Of Public Health And One Secondary Faculty Based On Area Of Interest) Including (but Not Limited To):
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.
Education:
Required Qualifications
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.
Education:
Preferred Qualifications
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.
The Ryan Institute for Interdisciplinary Health Solutions (RIIHS) within the School of Public Health at WashU is pleased to offer two full-time, two-year Postdoctoral Fellowships for the 2026-2028 academic years:
- The Mary McKay Postdoctoral Fellow
- The Margaret Clarson Postdoctoral Fellow
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 WashU’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 4x4 plan and is working swiftly to become a leading school of public health.
Ryan Institute for Interdisciplinary Health Solutions
RIIHS at the School of Public Health at WashU aims to develop innovative interdisciplinary science that identifies transformative solutions to the world’s most pressing health challenges. Bringing together faculty, policymakers, industry partners, and thought leaders, the Institute will accelerate discovery, training, translation and implementation to rewrite the story of global population health. Its mission is both intellectual and practical: to generate transformative science, train future leaders, and ensure that research rapidly informs solutions. Anchored in the aspiration of achieving health for everyone around the world, the Institute will catalyze scholarship of consequence by convening high-level global dialogues, investing in interdisciplinary research that drives sustainable improvements in health and well-being worldwide and supporting postdoctoral fellows.
Job Description
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 Two Faculty Mentors (one Primary In The School Of Public Health And One Secondary Faculty Based On Area Of Interest) 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.
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.
Education:
Required Qualifications
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.
Education:
Preferred Qualifications
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.