Postdoctoral Associate, Anthro-CASHP

George Washington University; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 63,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

George Washington University in Washington, D.C. invites applications for a Selective Excellence-funded Postdoctoral Associate in the Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, under the Paleoanthropology and Paleoecology Research Lab led by Andrew Barr.

The role focuses on multi-disciplinary analyses of archaeological, anatomical, and geological data and may involve mentoring students and assisting with grant preparation.

Qualifications

• Applicants must have fulfilled all requirements for the award of a PhD or equivalent qualification by the date of employment.
• A minimum of PhD in archaeology, geology, biological anthropology, or related field is required. Must have experience with archaeological analyses and field work.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement research protocols; design safety procedures; adapt new procedures, methods or instrumentation relative to research procedures.
• Collect, prepare and analyze research data; keep a detailed notebook summarizing experiments and recording research data; maintain computer database of research data; tabulate and display data for presentation in research conferences and for manuscript preparation; use graphics and statistical software to analyze and present data; search pertinent scientific literature as needed.
• Supervise other personnel in the laboratory; participate in training of fellows, students and volunteer workers as needed.
• Oversee reagent preparation, equipment maintenance, animal maintenance; assist with ordering and procurement and with general maintenance of laboratory.

Skills

PhD in archaeology/geology/biological

Data analysis

Laboratory supervision

Education

PhD or equivalent qualification

Tools

Statistical software

Job description

I. POSITION INFORMATION

GW has everything you need to succeed in discovery. Outstanding research, state-of-the-art facilities and world-class faculty support discovery and innovative solutions. Researchers and faculty across campus advance interdisciplinary and emerging research and scholarship. Our active GW Postdoctoral Association welcomes your engagement in social and professional activities as you join our research teams. Research guides, coding and data management solutions as well as extensive online journals from GW Libraries help to guide your study. The Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR) supports the research infrastructure and facilitates several institutional research initiatives.

This position is for a Selective Excellence-funded Postdoc based in the Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, and working in the The Paleoanthropology and Paleoecology Research Lab (supervisor, Andrew Barr)

The postdoc will conduct multi-disciplinary analyses of many types of data, archeological, anatomical, and geological data. The position requires a PhD in anthropology, biology, biological anthropology or a related field. The postdoc will also assist with writing reports and publications, train students, and assist faculty in the preparation of new grant applications. In some cases, postdocs will assume general responsibility for general scientific operations in the lab, and/or provide supervision and guidance to laboratory staff, students, trainees and other researchers. Examples of duties might include:

• Design and implement research protocols; design safety procedures; adapt new procedures, methods or instrumentation relative to research procedures.
• Collect, prepare and analyze research data; keep a detailed notebook summarizing experiments and recording research data; maintain computer database of research data; tabulate and display data for presentation in research conferences and for manuscript preparation; use graphics and statistical software to analyze and present data; search pertinent scientific literature as needed.
• Supervise other personnel in the laboratory; participate in training of fellows, students and volunteer workers as needed.
• Oversee reagent preparation, equipment maintenance, animal maintenance; assist with ordering and procurement and with general maintenance of laboratory.

A Postdoctoral Associate:

• holds a PhD or equivalent degree;
• develops skills by participating in scholarly projects that are actively mentored by a member of the university faculty;
• receives financial support in the form of a salary that is typically funded by grants, contracts or departmental funds secured by a faculty mentor;
• has a limited term of up to five years at GW.

In collaboration with experienced researchers, this role will participate in the planning and conduction of discovery research, data analysis and interpretation, preparation of materials for publication, presentations at conferences and meetings, and may develop new theories and methodologies. This role can expect timely advice as to research directions and career planning for a future independent career. Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must have fulfilled all requirements for the award of a PhD or equivalent qualification in a relevant field by the date of employment.

Desired Qualifications:

A minimum of PhD in archeology, geology, biological anthropology, or related field is required. Must have experience with archaeological analyses and field work.

Hiring Range

$63,480- $70,000

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package for Postdoc Associates and Scholars that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, well-being and various voluntary benefits. Postdoc Scholars may also be eligible for retirement savings and tuition programs. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/postdoc_benefits.

II. POSITION INFORMATION

• Posting Number: P010166
• Job Open Date: 09/24/2026
• Part-time / Full-time: PF Post Doc Full Time Exempt
• Total Hours per Week: 40
• Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
• Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.
• College/School/Department: Columbian College of Arts & Sciences (CCAS)
• Expected duration of appointment: 1 Year
• Position Designation: On-Campus/In-Person
• Special Instructions to Applicants: Employees in this subfamily are responsible for designing and conducting experiments in a controlled laboratory setting. Duties may include performing experiments, collecting, analyzing and reporting data.
• Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

EEO Statement

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.