Postdoctoral Fellow, Behavioral Data Science for Democracy

George Washington University; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 61,008 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement Savings

Tuition Programs

Job summary

An innovative institution is seeking a post-doctoral fellow to join their research team. This role focuses on addressing critical challenges at the intersection of digital technology, media, and democracy. The successful candidate will leverage their expertise in behavioral social science to design and analyze experiments, contributing to impactful research that informs policy solutions. This position offers a collaborative environment where you can excel in your research pursuits while working under experienced mentors. Join a vibrant community dedicated to advancing democratic values through rigorous, evidence-based research.

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in behavioral approaches to social science.
• Demonstrated record of using sophisticated analytic tools.

Responsibilities

• Participate in planning independent research and analyze data.
• Publish results and represent the university at conferences.

Skills

R

Python

Behavioral Social Science Research

Experimental Design

Education

PhD or equivalent qualification

Tools

Analytic Tools

Job description

GW has everything you need to succeed in discovery. Outstandingresearch, state-of-the-art facilities and world-class faculty support discovery and innovative solutions. Researchers and facultyacross campus advance interdisciplinary and emerging research and scholarship. Our activeGW 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 fromGW Libraries help to guide your study. TheOffice of the Vice Provost for Research ( OVPR ) supports the research infrastructure and facilitates severalinstitutional research initiatives.

In the Pharmacology & Physiology Department, this role will focus on the behavioral and electrophysiological basis of autonomic dysfunction in animal models of opioid induced respiratory depression and/or Parkinson's disease.

The position will perform these experiments using patch clamp electrophysiological approaches, and/or in-vivo behavior testing. Interactions are expected with other researchers within the Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, and researchers outside the Dept within the SMHS . There are no clinical credentialing or licensure requirements.

Prior experience with electrophysiological approaches (in vivo or in vitro) is required. Demonstrated ability to assess neurobiology of cardiorespiratory neurons and their function. Familiarity with disease models of opioid-induced respiratory dysfunction and/or Parkinson's disease is strongly preferred. Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with a record of scholarly productivity.

Postdocs 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. In some cases, postdocs will assume general responsibility for general scientific operations in the lab, and/or provide supervision and guidance to laboratory staff, trainees, and other researchers.

Examples of duties might include:

• Design and implement research protocols;
• 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 a 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 the training of students and volunteer workers as needed.

A Postdoctoral Associate:

• holds Ph.D. or M.D. in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Physiology, or a related field.
• 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.

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:

Required qualifications:

• Ph.D. or M.D. in Neuroscience, Pharmacology, Physiology, or a closely related field.
• Prior experience with electrophysiological approaches (in vivo or in vitro).
• Demonstrated expertise in studying the neurobiology of cardiorespiratory neurons.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills with a proven track record of scholarly productivity.

Preferred qualifications:

• Familiarity with disease models of opioid-induced respiratory dysfunction and/or Parkinson's disease.

Hiring Range

Hiring Range $62,652 to $75,564

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

Posting Number P010130

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 10/14/2025

Job Close Date

Part-time / Full-time

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

Total Hours per Week 40 hours/week

Work Schedule

Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 5:00

Campus Location

Campus Location Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department:

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

Expected duration of appointment

Expected duration of appointment 1 Year

Position Designation

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

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.

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