Postdoctoral Associate, Chiappinelli Lab

George Washington University; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

George Washington University is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate to advance research in epigenetic regulation of immune signaling in cancer, with a focus on ovarian cancer immunotherapies. The Chiappinelli laboratory, housed in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine within GW's SMHS, conducts cutting-edge projects with world-class facilities.

Under supervision of a faculty member, you will design and conduct advanced experiments, analyze data, publish results, and mentor lab

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in a relevant field by the date of employment.
• Postdoctoral Associate term up to five years at GW.
• Ability to design and conduct advanced experiments, analyze data and publish results.

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; maintain a computer database and present data for conferences.
• Supervise other personnel in the laboratory; participate in training of fellows, residents, students and volunteers.
• Work with collaborators to implement new protocols and cancer models in the lab.

Skills

Experiment design

Data analysis

Mentoring

Scientific communication

Education

PhD or equivalent in a relevant field

Tools

Statistical software

Lab safety procedures

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 initiativesThe Chiappinelli laboratory is housed within the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C.

Our lab focuses on the epigenetic regulation of immune signaling in cancer. Epigenetic therapy is particularly appealing as it provides a way to alter gene expression without changing the DNA itself. We study the epigenetic changes in cancer and how epigenetic drugs can reverse these, specifically focusing on noncoding regions of the genome and the tumor cell immune response.

The Postdoctoral Associate's work will focus on developing novel immunotherapies for ovarian cancer.

They will design, organize and conduct specialized and advanced experiments using established scientific protocols, troubleshoot and design new protocols, summarize findings and publish results in research journals, under the general supervision of a faculty member.

Duties will 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, residents, students and volunteer workers as needed.
• Work with collaborators to implement new protocols and models of cancer in the lab

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 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; and
• 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.

Hiring Range

Commensurate with Experience

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: P010174

Job Open Date: 10/22/2026

Job Close Date: 11/08/2026

Part-time / Full-time: PF Post Doc Full Time Exempt

Total Hours per Week: 40

Work Schedule: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department: School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS)

Expected duration of appointment: 2 Years

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.